Child Safety

So how do you avoid your child becoming the next bullying statistic?

The answer is to build up your child's self-confidence, so that (s)he does not show up on the bully's radar. Bullies are cowards who will only pick on a ready victim. A child with low self-esteem is likely to be inviting the bully to be disrespectful.

Children who are confident have a head start in life.

They are:

* More likely to speak up if they becomes victims to abuse
* Able to accept and learn from their own mistakes
* Confident without being arrogant or conceited
* Not demoralised by criticism or mild teasing
* Able to deal with their own feelings
* Not easily upset by setbacks or obstacles
* Unlikely to feel a need to put others down
* Assertive but not aggressive in communicating their needs
* Not too worried about failing or looking foolish
* More likely to resist peer pressure
* Able to bounce back from disappointments and failures
* Able to cope with change
* Able to say 'No', without offending the other person

Bullies avoid people with a strong sense of character. Building up your child's self-esteem is going to impact on his/her ability to manage life's ups and downs, not only at school, but at work, in the family and in relationships. The earlier you start the better. Strengthen your child's self-confidence and you will be helping him/her along the path to success.

How to Protect Your Child From Bullies, available all over the world, shows you how to build up your child's self-confidence. It also shows your child how to handle bullies, resist peer pressure, manage friendship problems, cliques and gossips, master the art of body-language, combat mobile-phone and cyber-bullying, diffuse potentially confrontational situations and develop assertiveness.

* Search cupboards, garden sheds, under the beds, or anywhere your child might have a 'den'

* Alert your family and friends and neighbours.
* Look for evidence that your child might have run away:
* Have you recently had an argument?
* Are there any clothes missing?
* Is there a disturbing situaion at home (eg divorce, alcoholism)?
* Has your child's mood changed uncharacteristically?
* Is the child under-performing in school recently
* Has the child spent more time on the computer recently
* Could the child be taking drugs or other illegal substances?

If the answers are mostly 'no', then your child is not likely to have run away and you should call the police immediately.

Whilst you are waiting for the police, gather together:

* A recent photo
* A full description of the child's age, height, weight, birthmarks, what they were last wearing
* DNA evidence ( eg a used toothbrush)
* Where the child was last seen and when

When the police arrive:

* Be honest about recent events at home - it could save vital time
* Take details of who is covering the case, get contact names and phone numbers

Follow through:

* Notify the media - especially local radio, television and newspapers
* Contact your country's Missing Person's Department
* Ask friends, relatives and neighbours to start door-to-door enquiries
* Inform the local clergy or your religious organisation
* Post someone at the home phone, keeping the phone line open at all times.
* Share new information with the police at every stage