Assault-proofing kids

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

I'm sure a lot of people have seen the story of the 11-year-old girl who was raped at knifepoint in a Target store:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/South/07/15/target.assault.ap/index.html

Police Lt. H.S. Leishman said the suspect began stalking the girl in the toy department. Posing as a security guard, he told her he saw her steal something and ordered her to follow him.

Then he pulled a knife and forced her into the garden department where he assaulted her. When too many shoppers walked into the area, he led her into the men's clothing department where he assaulted her again, Leishman said.

So, why did she go quietly? Why didn't her parents teach her to scream her head off? It might very well have avoided the rape.

- pdmoderator

 

[Leatherneck]

No idea about what she'd been taught, but I think it's asking a lot of an 11YO girl to resist a man with a knife at her throat saying he'll kill her if she makes a peep. Shock, terror, adrenaline all take a toll. JMHO.

TC
TFL Survivor

 

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

He didn't put the knife to her throat until he got her alone.

- pdmoderator

 

[pax]

Scary story.

This is the sort of situation that good kids are particularly susceptible to. We teach 'em to obey authority figures, after all -- and this guy was posing as an authority figure.

The important thing that was missing (perhaps) is that she might not have ever been told that even an authority figure must not be obeyed in certain situations.

That said, from the way the story goes, it sounds as if he did not tell her to do anything inappropriate until he had her in private and had a knife at her throat. So it's not a case, as too often happens, of the rapist using only his authority status to do the foul deed. He used authority only to get her alone. It is not unreasonable for a security guard to tell a suspected shoplifter to 'come this way, please.' Plenty of adult women would be taken in by such a subterfuge.

No blame to the kid, or her parents. I don't think this one was reasonably preventable by anything an 11 year old could be usefully taught.

pax

When you fully understand the situation, it is worse than you think. -- Barry Commoner

 

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

Pax,

I don't think this one was reasonably preventable by anything an 11 year old could be usefully taught.

I disagree. Even an eleven year old could be taught to start yelling "Police!", and not stop, if a stranger tries to take her someplace for any reason.

It might cause a scene sometimes -- but let it. Better that the kid and parents should be embarrassed than stuff like that happening.

- pdmoderator

 

[Oleg Volk]

Give kids cell phones set up to speed-dial parents in an emergency. At least the parents would know something is up and either show up or call in reinforcements. Some attention-getting device (air horn?) wouldn't be bad, either.

 

[NukemJim]

Give kids cell phones set up to speed-dial parents in an emergency

This is one of the reasons I acquired a 2nd cell phone. Whenever I take one onf my nieces/nephews (5-22 years old) they get handed a cell phone with my cell number and their parents cell number on speed dial. I drill them on how to use phone when I come to play with them at their house.

Has never been needed, hope it stays that way.

NukemJim

 

[shfttrsh]

I have a 11-year-old daughter. I know that this particular type incident will not happen... because she is ALWAYS accompanied when shopping. Our town has a state mental facility and its is rumored that part of the "treatment" for pedophiles is to bring them to Wally-world to wander among the kids. (Rumor may not be true but we will not take that chance) This also prevents the possibility of our daughter doing something that would attract the attention of the store security. I consider this part of my responsibility as her father. I am not saying that the victum's parents are at fault, just that this is how we do it.

 

[clubsoda22]

the question is why would you leave your 11 year old unattended?

 

[WT]

Our local school system has an excellent self defense training program for the girls. Part of gym class. Started a few years ago. Taught at 12th grade level but the girls complained and said they should have had the training when they were in 9th grade. They are now thinking of bringing it into the 8th grade.

 

[pax]

the question is why would you leave your 11 year old unattended?

Because an 11 year old =/= a 6 year old.

Do you remember the places you went and the things you did as an 11 year old?

pax

Remember, your basic assignment as a parent is to work yourself out of a job. -- Paul Lewis

 

[PileDriver]

I have a 11-year-old daughter. I know that this particular type incident will not happen... because she is ALWAYS accompanied when shopping. Our town has a state mental facility and its is rumored that part of the "treatment" for pedophiles is to bring them to Wally-world to wander among the kids. (Rumor may not be true but we will not take that chance) This also prevents the possibility of our daughter doing something that would attract the attention of the store security. I consider this part of my responsibility as her father. I am not saying that the victum's parents are at fault, just that this is how we do it.

us too. my oldest carries, next one in line is a wrestler, the rest are never out of my sight while in public

 

[Pocket Pistol]

Simple solution.
If anything ever happens to my 2 yr old the police better find them first
To prevent anything from ever happening we will just have the secret service follow him everywhere untill he is 30 yrs old

 

[feedthehogs]

My two girls are grown now, but were NEVER allowed to wander off in a store or public setting. We used the child harnass when out.

My oldest has a 16 month baby and I have seen her doing the same with her child as we did with her. One of the best feelings as a father.

Both the girls were taught young to trust no one but us. Period. In less their mother or I were there to tell them different, they did what they were always instructed to do by us.

Paranoid? No. But with the liberal justice system and the sick SOB's out there you can't be to careful. They both have remarked how their mom and I always seemed to be around and aware of the things they were doing.

The oldest never took to shooting much but knows how to use a gun properly. She married a great guy who shoots with me and carries concealed. They live in rural farming community that keeps the doors unlocked at night because everyone knows there are guns inside ready to be used on unwelcome guests. They do lock their doors to keep Dad happy though.

My twenty year old joined the local Police explorers at 14 and learned quite a bit about tactical situations and self defense.
She has won many shooting trophys on individual and team competitions.

Quit at 18 to go to school.

She scared two potential boyfriends away talking about guns and self defense. When I asked her about them she said they were Mama's boys and didn't deserve her attention. I was floored.

While most kids on their 21st birthday look forward to drinkin, she wants her CCW badly and has already claimed a gun in the safe as hers.
9 months to go she reminded me the other day.