by Mimilly 8 Replies latest jw friends
There has been so many in the news as of late - in the USA and the UK. Some of the poor girls were taken right from their beds.
Do you think there is more of this happening, or that it is just being reported now? Has the reports changed how you deal with your own children and others, as well as how you organize your day?
Finding the monsters who do this keeps other children from being affected, but do you think there is any way of preventing this from occuring so frequently?
Mimilly.......
It seems like these type of kidnapings/abductions have been happening for decades. I remember our parents warning us about dealing with strangers, not accepting rides, always be wary, etc. So there must have been some danger even decades ago.
Now it seems some of the abductors are more daring -- one was waiting inside a bedroom closet till everyone went to sleep, and then quietly took the child?? The stories are getting more sensational, and of course each one that happens is tragic and is one more too many. But we also know that there are more news organizations that have 24 hours on TV to fill than there were previously, so maybe increased coverage has something to do with it.
What can be done? I need help on this one. Maybe more people buying home security systems would help, but I know those are out of the reach of many. Perhaps neighborhood watch groups, where individuals take turns keeping an eye out or even citizens patrolling the streets could help make neighborhoods safer.
Timely post, with no simple solutions.
Actually, according to MSNBC child abductions are over half of what they were 10 years ago. The only difference is that it is being more publicized now than before. It's good news but even one abduction is far too much.
Hello Mimily:
I hope your head is feeling better.
I heard on 2 different news channels that it has NOT increased, as a matter of fact.....there are less abductions this year than prior years....I forget the exact number but it was a significant drop. I believe that since the kidnapping of a wealthy Mormon child in Utah, the media has been covering more of these shameless acts. They stated that they do not want to give media attention only to the wealthy. I know that the media attention helped solve two cases in the US lately.
love, dj
Media point taken. Now has it affected your parenting? Do you find yourself watching/being suspicious of people in the neighborhood etc. ?
Have any of you taken security precautions with your children be it a cell phone, a 911 phone, phone numbers and check in times etc? What about extra supervision?
Mimilly
An expert was on Oprah who has worked on numerous sexual abuse cases. She said, after all the work she's done, it kinda makes her paranoid about predators. Oprah and her agreed in the case of children, this is a good kind of paranoia: diligent protection of our children.
My experience can second that motion. My sister and I were both abused by two different men (one being our father). Just in my father's case alone...I couldn't count how many homes this guy has been in since the 60's when he started abusing us. He was in countless Witness homes before he was disfellowshipped but since the 70's he has been in countless non-Witness homes. Amazingly after people knew of his abuse of 4 children, they still let him into their homes, served him coffee and cookies! They believed this man because he claimed to be born-again.
If people would let in their homes known abusers, how do we convince them to protect their children from strangers? I should state that my father didn't wear trench coats and look out of the ordinary. Unfortunately I think people don't realize the face of a predator/kidnapper/molester can take the form of sheep without wolves' clothing.
In the Oregon case, the girls knew their abductor. Their siblings played with his children.
Since my daughter was born I've been militant about protecting her. At the same time I'm worried I might be overprotective but that's too bad. My wife is the one who works while I stay home and I don't think I could handle it if anything happened to my daughter.
I too, have always been very protective over my children , to the point of obsession. I still check on them thru the nite, make sure the door and windows are locked. If they get in a car with someone eles I tell them to wear the seat belt.
I remember hearing and reading about these kids being taken right out of their beds. I nailed the windows down.
When the little girl, was taken from her front yard, I wouldnt even let my younger kids out the front door , for any reason.
I can't let them ride their bike in our neighbor, because teens use it as a cut thru and drive at least 45 mph. They wouldnt even have time to get out of their way. There are no other kids , as we live in an older peoples street, very quiet and peaceful thou.
I have to find other ways to let them have fun, we got them a trampoline in the back yard. They go to their pappaws ( he has 12 acres) to ride bikes.
The little ones got upset when I wouldnt let my 17 yr old neice take them to the lake. I am very afraid of them drowning and will never let them go with anyone but me or hub. I didnt want my neice out at the lake by herself either.
I can not imagine the pain these parents must feel when their kids are taken and murdered. This is a sick problem , the world is just sick to do these things to children.
I was 17 years old when I had my first, and was 19 when I had my second child. I was also militant about their safety, even at that age. I think it had alot to do with what I personally went through. I never ever had the idea that it wouldn't happen to me. On the contrary, I figured it would if I didn't head it off.
I remember the older military wives dissing me because I wouldn't let my girls (age 4 and under), go to the park by themselves with the other kids. When my girls were outside, I was right there, always. I also checked through the night and made sure windows and doors were tight. There were a couple of times, when they were babies, that I would bring them both to bed with me just to make sure everyone was accounted for.
In the end, I've always said that if someone was going to take my kids, that I was NEVER going to be in a position of regret, feeling that there was something else I could've done. Whoever it was - was going to have to work damned hard at getting them.
Problem now is that my kids are of age and a mother remains a mother at heart. Now I have to allow them their lives and choices. I've educated them regarding being and staying safe. I've told them to never, ever, think that it couldn't happen to them.
THE rule in this house now is to leave a note saying where you went and calling when you get there. Even I follow this one.
I cannot imagine the pain and horror of losing your children, let alone losing them in such a violent fashion. My heart couldn't bear it.
Mimilly
