The holidays are a dangerous time for children, mainly because of adults. During the holidays, many children are victims of sexual abuse. Other children become injured in accidents that cold have been avoided. Why do these things happen? Because their parents and other adults are not paying attention. This all starts because of alcohol (and worse, illegal drugs!). During the holidays, often adults get busy with shopping, decorating, socializing. The home becomes very hectic and stressful. Those days, often other adults are in and out of the home. If the parents are stressed, tired, and are using alcohol, then they are paying less attention to their children. Sexual abusers know this! They are around the children, but the parents are too busy (or maybe a little "high") to notice what is happening. The child and the abuser "disappear" for twenty minutes/ half hour in an empty room, the basement, and the abuse happens. Meantime, the parents don't notice the child is not around and neither is one of the adults. 75% of ALL sexual abuse of children happens "in family situations". Later on if the child reports the abuse, the parents feel guilty. They deny it happened. they say, "the child is not telling the truth. We were home; that abuse could not have occured." The parents WERE home, but they WERE NOT paying attention.
The same thing happens with accidents during the holdiays. The adults get so busy with so many things, they get careless. If they drink alcohol, it is worse. Parents are rushing around, so they...don't put the baby in the car seat properly...drive in an unsafe way...go to a mall, and allow their chidlren to wander off...do not pay attention to where their children go (to other homes) during the holidays. Kids go to another house: who is there? Who is the guardian? Are there ANY adults there? Are the children playing on a computer and seeing XXX? Are there adults in that home who may be a danger to your children?
PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS: the most important thing about the holidays is NOT the decorations, the shopping, the parties. The most important duty you have is TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE!
1 Make sure that any adults in your home are people you know and trust. If that person takes your child to a private, out of the way place in your home to be alone with your child, then!!!!!!!!!
2 If your child is going to be at the home of other chidlren, find out: who will be responsbile? Are there adults there you know and trust? Will the kids be using a computer? Will an adult be monitoring that computer use? Are there any guns in that home? Are the guns securely locked away?
3 If your child tells you that someone touched him/her in their "private parts" or showed them sex movies or pictures, do NOT call the adult and ask the adult if that happened. Why? Because the adult will lie! Call 9-1-1 and report this immediaetly. Let the police handle this.
4 Adults drink during the holidays to celebrate. This happens. However, NEVER drink and drive. If you are drinking with others in your home, make sure you are keeping track of your chidlren and what they are doing and who they are with.