Your Child's Security
ACT Policing understands parents and guardians can not keep an eye on their children 24-hours a day. That is why it is important to discuss security with children and encourage them to adopt a number of personal safety strategies.
Parents and guardians should encourage their children to:
- Establish a network of trust consisting of people they feel safe to approach for help. This could include family members, teachers, friends and those living in Safety Houses near their home.
- Seek assistance from agencies such as the local fire brigade, ambulance service and the police if they ever feel unsafe.
- Be aware of inappropriate behaviour patterns such as touching, language, gifts and accepting lifts.
- Confide in their network of trust if they are subjected to any form of inappropriate behaviour.
- Be aware of the importance of privacy and encourage them to keep their personal particulars such as their name, age and address confidential from people outside of their network of trust. (Where possible children should ensure name badges are not displayed on clothing or school bags when out in public.)
When away from a parent or guardian children should:
- Be encouraged to stay in a group;
- Pay attention to their surroundings in public areas;
- Ensure they let parents or guardians know if their plans change;
- If they see anyone acting suspiciously seek assistance from a member of their network of trust;
- Ensure they understand not to approach cars if someone stops and asks them questions;
- Know how to seek refuge in a house displaying the Safety House symbol if they feel threatened;
- Know to shout loudly and tell the person to stay away if approached by a suspicious person and feel scared; and
- Try to remember details of suspicious people they may encounter, such as what they looked like and what they were wearing.
For more information on the Safety House program in the ACT go to the ACT Safety House Association website.