SAFETY TIPS FOR TEENS
Every 40 seconds a child is reported
missing in the United States and it is estimated that every
2 minutes
a child is sexually abused. According to the U. S. Department
of Justice, 12-15 year olds are
victimized at a rate of 84% higher than the general population.
And, 61% of all rape victims are younger
than 18. There are 3 types of child abduction: family, acquaintance
and stranger abduction. For
teenagers, acquaintance abduction is a bigger problem than
stranger abduction and is more often
associated with sexual and/or physical assault. The key to
prevention is awareness. With that in mind,
we have compiled this list of safety tips for teenagers
- Be alert ~ remember that anyone can become a victim anytime,
anywhere. No who and what is around you all
the time. Talking on cell phones or listening to headphones
makes you an easy target.
- Be confident ~ walking, standing, talking and carrying
yourself with confidence tells criminals that you are not
an easy target. Making eye contact scares off most attackers
because they fear you will be able to identify
them.
- Trust you feelings ~ your intuition is rarely wrong.
If something doesn't’t feel right, it probably isn't’t.
If you feel
like you are being followed, cross the street and turn to
walk in the opposite direction, being sure to get a
good look at the person and then find the nearest place
of safety and call the authorities
- Be suspicious ~ in parking lots be aware of the cars
parked on either side of your vehicle. If a male in a
vehicle is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, or
if a van is parked next to your vehicle, enter your car
from the opposite side. Before you get into your car, look
inside, on the floor and in the back seat, to be sure
that no one is hiding inside. Once you enter your car, lock
the doors and leave the area. Do not talk on the
phone or listen to the radio, it makes you a target. If
a parking lot is dark or deserted, find a friend or security
officer to accompany you to your car. Do not stop and talk
to strangers in parking lots or help them into their
vehicles, even if they appear to need help. Use elevators
instead of stairs and stand close to the doorway and
the controls. If you feel uncomfortable get off as quickly
as possible. If you are attacked, push as many floor
buttons as possible. When using public transportation, sit
as close to the driver as possible or in the midst of
groups of people, never isolate yourself. Stay awake and
alert and keep packages in your lap or between your
feet, never in an empty seat.
- Carry a cell phone in case of emergencies and to make
sure someone knows where you are at all times. Also
carry a whistle or personal safety alarm.
- Never carry a weapon. It only increases your chances
of becoming seriously injured. Use everyday items as
weapons of protection when necessary. (See attached list)
- Avoid carrying large sums of cash. Carry cash and other
valuables in a front or inside pocket. Be discreet
when using cash to reduce the attraction for muggers.
- Always travel on well-lit streets and avoid alleyways,
shadowy doorways, shrubbery or anything that an
attacker could hide behind. When possible, travel in groups
or with at least one other person, following routes
along busy streets so that there are always people around.
- If you are verbally harassed do not respond. Keep walking
and notify the nearest authorities.
- Be fashionable but sensible ~ remember that clogs, high
heels and tight skirts are hard to run and fight back in,
and long scarves and long necklaces are easy to grab. Wear
comfortable and practical clothing when traveling
alone. You can always change into dress-up clothing when
you arrive at your destination.
- Do not run away from home ~ try to resolve your problems
by talking with your parents, other adults your
trust or school counselors. If you need to leave an abusive
situation, talk to counselors or seek the help of
authorities, like the runaway hotline, who can put your
somewhere safe and not out on the streets.
Defending Yourself Against Attackers
- The most important thing, if you are attacked, is to
keep calm. Becoming hysterical will not help and will give
your attacker an added advantage.
- Stay alert and aware of your surroundings and your attacker.
Get the most accurate and complete description
of your attacker, their vehicle and the area as possible.
- Do not fight over material things. They can be replaced,
but your life and limbs cannot.
- Draw as much attention to you and your situation as possible.
Do not yell help. Most people will not respond.
Yell, “FIRE”, it will draw more attention and
assistance.
- If you have a cell phone, call 911, drop the phone if
you are being attacked and begin yelling. State your first
name, your location, the license number of the attackers
vehicle and any other information that you can. If your
attacker reaches down to grab the phone, it will give you
time to get away.
- Your elbow is the strongest point on your body, use it
if you can to hit the attacker where it counts ~ the eyes,
the knees, the throat or the groin. Remember that you are
not trying to win a fight, you are just fighting back to
buy yourself enough time to escape.
- If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick
out the taillights and stick your arm out of the hole and
start
waving like crazy. The attacker will not be able to see
you, but others will.
- If you hands are duct-taped together try to get the tape
wet, it will loose its adhesiveness and will allow you
to get your hands free.
- If an attacker has a gun and you can get away ~ RUN!
Experts say that an attacker will only hit a running
target 4 out of a 100 times, and even then, it isn't’t
likely to hit a vital organ.
- Do not let an attacker take you to an abandoned area.
Do whatever it takes and fight back.
- Use everyday objects you carry in your purse or backpack
as weapons ~
Keys ~ Use them to gouge at eyes, to stab at the throat
or to punch an attackers face. Place them between
your fingers when you make a fist to add force.
Pencils, Pens, Rulers, Geographical Compasses, Protractors
~ Use these items just the way you would a key.
They are just as effective to gouge eyes, stab the throat
or to punch an attackers face.
High Heeled Shoes ~ Again, use them much the way you
would a key. Aim the heel at the attackers eyes or
to stab at their face or throat.
Hairspray or Breath spray ~ Spraying these items at close
range in an attackers eyes can buy you valuable
time to get away.
Spare Change ~ Use a handful of spare change and throw
it forcefully at the face of an attacker to startle them
and help you gain time to get away.
Can of Soda Pop ~ A shaken can of soda-pop sprayed at
an attackers face will startle them and they will
likely react by protecting their face with their hands,
allowing you time to get away.
Your Bag ~ A full backpack or purse can also help you
escape. You can throw it at the attacker or swing it to
hit them and knock them off balance long enough to get
away. You can also open it and begin throwing the
contents at your attacker. You can also use the items
inside to leave a trail if you are being abducted.
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Safety
Tips for Teens and Defending Yourself Printable Version
(requires Acrobat Reader)
KIDBIZ Oct 2003
A community COMMITMENT, A promise FULFILLED
Story by Elizabeth Paes
KIDBIZ Oct 2003
It started because of a commitment Robb Irvin made to himself.
Growing up on the west side of Columbus, a neighbor's young
girl was abducted. She was never found. He promised that someday,
when he could, he would make the community safer and stronger.
Now Irvin is doing just that. Irvin is the owner, head instructor
and coach at Team Players where kids as young as three-years-old
and adults participate in taekwondo and sports training. Team
Players Taekwondo Center, located in Hilliard, will host its
third Child Awareness and Prevention Seminar, behind the Christian
Life Center, on Friday, Oct. 17. It is a chance to make the
community a little safer, one child at a time. According to
the U.S. Department of Justice, one in three girls and one
in seven boys will be molested at least once before age 18
and there is, on average, one child molester per square mile,
so in a county of 2,000 square miles, there are 2,000 possible
occurrences. The goal of CAPS is to help build a stronger,
more united community, in keeping with the mission of Team
Players. But, it's not just another safety program for the
kids. Irvin is sure to keep them entertained so they learn
and remember some important tips to keep them from becoming
another abduction statistic. The program will teach children
and teenagers "assertive methods to prevent abduction
and exploitation," it will discuss safety awareness and
prevention tactics to keep kids safe and a Hilliard D.A.R.E.
officer will talk and take fingerprints for parents. Kids
will learn who a stranger is, who a safe person might be if
they are lost and the importance of knowing their full name
and address. Depending on the age of the kids, they will be
taught practical self-defense moves and can practice on Irvin's
son, Justin, the "blue man." He is called the "blue
man" because the suit of padding he will be wearing is
blue. This is a popular highlight of the evening. Three age-appropriate
seminars will take place. Ages 3-5 from 5-5:45 p.m.; Ages
6-9 from 6-7 p.m. and ages 10 and older from 7:15-8:15 p.m.
The seminar is free to all. If you can't make it, here are
some tips Irvin will share with your kids to help keep them
safe: • Children should know their complete name, address
(including city and state) and their phone number (including
area code). • Children should know that a stranger is
anyone they don't know. • Children should tell a parent
if they are asked to keep a secret from you. • Children
should scream and scatter books or belongings if they are
forced into a car or building. To learn more, call Team Players
to reserve a space at 876.1990.
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