We all want to protect our children, but it’s not always possible to be with them all of the time.  Growing news coverage of paedophile cases and abuse is a big worry for parents, because it’s impossible to tell if someone is a paedophile just by looking.

• try to win over parents to get close to their children
• be attracted to jobs or places that allow them to have close contact with children such as schools, parks and youth groups
• spend time ‘grooming’ children with special attention or gifts
• tell children their relationship is secret

Protect your child

• Teaching sex education as early as possible will help them understand appropriate and inappropriate sexual behaviour. Let children know their bodies belong to them.
• Communicate with your children so they know they can talk to you about anything.
• Tell your children that they can say ‘no’ to any adult who scares them.
• Talk about keeping secrets. Your kids need to know that if someone has made them promise to keep a secret, it’s still ok to tell you.
• Be wary of adults who become very interested in your children and want to spend lots of time with them or take them out alone.

Online safety

• Tell your children never to give out personal details such as address, telephone or school name
• Keep the computer in a family area
• Show an interest in what they’re doing