Keeping children safe from strangers

Bizarre stories have become the order of the day lately, and children have not been left out, just as the country celebrated the return of the three Lucky Vincent pupils from the US, tragedy struck in Arusha again.

It was shocking indeed to learn that our children had been abducted in Arusha with their captors demanding ransom before they can set them free. The abduction left many parents and children puzzled as no one could tell what had happened to the children and why they had been targeted.

The days turned into weeks as the hunt for the children intensified. The worst was yet to come, two of the children didnt make it home, their captors had chosen to murder them.

Two of the children Bakari Selemani and Ayoub Fred were rescued but the other two, Maurine David and Ikram Salim were not lucky enough as they were killed and their bodies were recovered from an abandoned pit latrine at Mji Mpya area in Olkerian suburbs in Arusha on September 5. Police at one point it had arrested the suspected abductor, but then later they said he had been shot dead as he attempted to escape.

This was not the only incident of child abduction also happened this week at Morogoro where by the kidnaper abducted ayoung girl and the body found dead in Kibaha on Thursday.

These two incidents teach us that it is a wacky world where people target children for all the bad reasons.

And as educators and parents say all has to be done to make sure children get home safe every day.

These are some of the terrible stories that tell why children should always try as much as possible to stay away from strangers as much as possible. When out and about, you need to always take care and be aware of strangers. With the help of your friends, you can together be stranger safe.

Parents also are advised to communicate with their children and talk to them regularly about the dangers and what they can do to stay safe. You should always check first with you or a trusted adult before they go anywhere, accept anything, or get into a car with anyone. This applies to older children as well.

Also you should not go out alone and should always take a friend with you when you go places or play outside. It’s okay to say no if someone tries to touch you or treats you in a way that makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, and to get out of the situation as quickly as possible.

Apart from that you need to know that you can tell r a trusted adult if you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. You need to know that there will always be someone to help you, and you have the right to be safe.

It is okey to yell, scream, and say no to an adult if you feel uncomfortable or scared. Children are always advised to listen to adults and not to be disruptive, but there are times they should disobey and be loud. For example if something unusual happen screaming, and running away.

Other typical suggestions include the following: You should walk and play in groups and you should know who is stranger for you. You should be told to refuse sweets, ice cream from strangers.

However you should know clearly which strangers are safe for you for example policemen, firemen, etc. Also you should avoid strangers who ask for your help (adults shouldn’t need help from children for much of anything)

Additional information from the Internet