Something to be aware of

[jill]

I just finished a 3 day training on Sex Abuse for my job and what I learned is very scary you have to worry about the preditor's not just the ones listed but the ones you do not know about. Most crimes occur with people or family you know and if someone is spending lots of time with your child and you watch closely for depression and how they act around that person or doing inappropriate things.
To make it easier on reading why I am breaking some things down what most do is they scope out kids who do not have a good father figure or parents who do not spend as much time with their kids or trustworthy people. They will be your best buddy nice and seem perfect to you this is called their "grooming stage" they make themselves seem innocent and wonderful and taking interest in your child or children. These people will get jobs around kids join in church groups and be the person you would never know some if you are a single mom will be the perfect boyfriend, husband, stepdad or even father. They will also charm the kids by taking them places doing fun things and test them out with little things and build up from there then they will make the kid confused and the secrecy will begin then they will threaten the child.
If they feel you are losing trust in them they will back off and re- charm you until you are less nervous and when they are done with your child will fade from your life. One we saw on a video says it is so easy and actually married his wife for her kid not her if that is not scarey. I just wanted to share what I learned in my 3 day training.
Also watch for men at a function strictly for kids alone watching could be scoping for a victim.

[charliegirl]

It is scary and these predators are very good.

My pastor was one. I had known him for around 15 years and no one suspected. He and his wife were very close friends of mine and I trusted him implicitely. He didn't touch my kids but there were a few kids in our small church whom he had abused.

Strangely enough, my daughter has always disliked him. She tells me he never said or did anything to try to attach to her but he just always gave her the creeps. She didn't know why. She just didn't like him. Listen to your kids.

There are actually a couple of families in our church who still believe in him even though he confessed and the children admitted it when asked and there was physical evidence. He claims he was set up and that is very common.

I have heard that he is now pastoring again in spite of being on the national sex offenders list and not being allowed to be around any child under 18.

Watch everyone who spends time alone with kids and its important to talk to your kids.

[jj]

And they target kids that seem to be loners and we all know that sometimes kids with ADHD and/or LD's or who are autistic can be ostracized. These sicko creeps look for that.

Thanks Jill. Even though I don't have kids at home I still want to know where the creeps live so if I ever see something that doesn't look right at that house I can do something.

I happen to have two that live very close to me. One about a block away and another about a block and a half. Yuk! Makes me sick!

[jill]

Just wanted to educate.

[annem]

jill said:

Just wanted to educate.

I can't find the reply button ... But I can find the Quote ... !!

Thanks very much Jill for sharing this ..

My dh has told me a story of when he was around 14 years old ... and he was invited to a dinner by a friend of his mothers ... he didn't want to go but his mother was VERY insistent he should go ... because he is such a "nice" man .. etc.etc... When he got there he found a table laid for TWO ...

He (fortunately) left there and then before any harm was done ... but my point is that this was a man who his mother trusted implicitly!! ... AAAGHH!!

After that apparently all kinds of things were in circulation about this guy ... but at the time he seemed soooo nice!! ...

[jill]

All goes back to listening to our children and if they do not want to be around someone find out why.