Police encourage parents to talk to their kids about personal safety
As a police officer and a parent, child safety is at the forefront of my thoughts.
School holidays are fast approaching and all parents are encouraged to speak with their children about personal safety.
Whilst our local police adopt-a-cops regularly speak to school aged children about personal safety and use our protective behaviours model, parents are urged to talk to their children about this very important topic, their own personal safety.
Children are encouraged to recognise their feelings of safety in different situations. When we feel unsafe, our bodies tell us through physical sensations that something is wrong.
Within the program these sensations are called early warning signs; however you may refer to them as natural instincts, gut feelings or intuition.
Children are encouraged to identify their early warning signs, for example, butterflies in the stomach, sweaty hands, goose bumps, racing heart, and the situations in which they can occur.
Parents are encouraged to discuss personal safety with children and talk to them about what they may need to do in different circumstances. There are generally three types of situations where we experience early warning signs:
- When we feel unsafe, but are having fun and are in control of the situation – i.e. it is our choice to be there. For example, watching a scary movie, diving off a high tower or riding a roller coaster.
- When we feel unsafe, it is not fun, but we are still in control. For example, going to the dentist or sitting an exam.
- When we feel unsafe, it is not fun and we have no control over the situation. These situations are personal emergencies as the child is in danger of losing control over what happens to them. For example, being lost, being bullied, or being abused by a relative.
In a personal emergency, children are encouraged to:
- use safety strategies and personal networks to regain control of the situation and restore them to a state of physical and emotional safety
- dial triple zero (000) if in immediate danger
- report non-urgent incidents by calling their local police station or Policelink on 131 444.
- For more information about safety for children and teenage safety
Personal violence is significantly under-reported to police. Personal crime offenders target people they perceive as vulnerable and likely to offer the least resistance.
Whilst police hope that you are never confronted with a situation where your personal safety is at risk, it always pays to prepare yourself and be armed with information on what to do and how to help prevent yourself from becoming a victim of crime.
Here are some personal safety tips for you consider:
- Appear confident, self assured and comfortable in your surroundings through strong, positive body language. Look ‘streetwise’ rather than fearful.
- Be aware of your surroundings and alert to what is going on around you.
- Listen to, trust and act on your instincts. If you sense danger from someone, something or a place, immediately remove yourself to a safer place.
- Do what you think will be best to preserve your safety.
- Options can include running away, screaming, negotiating with the attacker, calling for assistance, and using physical self defence as a last resort.
- Don’t put up a fight for your bag or other possessions. If someone threatens you and tries to steal your belongings, the safest option is to surrender the items. Take note of the offender’s description and immediately report the incident to police.
Wearing headphones or using your mobile phone while out walking can reduce your awareness of what is happening around you and make you more vulnerable to attack.
Remember: if you are a victim of assault, report it to the police.
Report suspicious or threatening behaviour and if safe to do so, respond to calls for assistance.
Assisting others in need is important and may prevent or stop an assault from escalating.
Parents are urged to take a few minutes to sit down with their children, talk to them about protecting themselves and what they need to do to if there is a problem or they don’t feel safe.
For more information about safety out and about go to: http://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/cscp/personalsafety/adults/safety+out+and+about.htm