radKIDS

Local agencies work together to keep kids safe

By Katy England
edge staff writer
kengland@themaineedge.com

BANGOR " It's a scary world out there, and giving children the tools they need to stay safe is becoming more and more important. Two local agencies are working together to present a radKIDS educational program that is designed to keep kids safer by educating them about predators, good, bad, and uncomfortable touching, that it's okay to say "no," and being able to tell if someone hurts them.

Bangor Police Sgt. Catherine Rumsey and Angel Shaw of Rape Response Services will be instructing a radKIDS Personal Empowerment and Safety Education program for children in April at the Bangor Police Department. Children aged 8-12 will meet 6-8 p.m. on April 2, 4, 7, 9, and 11 and the course for children ages 5-7 will meet from 1-3 p.m. on April 19, 26, May 3, 10 and 17. April is sexual assault awareness and child abuse prevention month, making this a perfect time to teach families and children about how to stay safe and what to do if something should happen.

The course is designed to help children build the skills they need to stay safe at home, in school, in vehicles, and when they're outside.

"The things they are going to be learning about is really a building block to get them to be more comfortable in being able to protect themselves and protect their bodies from predators," said Shaw. "You want kids to be able to go out ... and explore in a safe environment, which also helps teach them their boundaries in what they can and cannot do and get them comfortable with their own decision making."

The course is designed to help children be aware of tricks that sexual predators use, and build a child's confidence in saying "no" when someone tries to hurt them or tell a trusted adult if someone already has.

"Our goal is to develop a mindset for children that they don't have to rely on other people to help make good decisions," said Rumsey. "They can make their own decisions about their own safety, and if they want to say 'no' to something, they can say 'no' to it."

Both Shaw and Rumsey explained that the course is fun for children and helps to open a dialog with their caregivers about the very real problems they face in this day and age. With more molestation cases today than ever, it can be hard for parents and guardians to talk about it with their kids.

"It is very difficult to talk with kids about staying safe, and it's difficult to talk about what happens if someone touches you inappropriately," said Shaw. "This program can give the parents the tools and language to use that will be more comfortable for them. We really want this to be an interactive program with the children that they can continue to practicing at home."

The course also talks about Internet safety and bullying prevention. These all go to reinforce a child's sense of right and wrong. Rumsey said that all of these skills work together and build on each other to keep children safe.

"There's... three things all radKIDS should know," said Rumsey. "No one has the right to hurt you; you don't have the right to hurt anybody or yourself unless you need to escape danger; and if somebody does hurt you or if someone ever has hurt you, it's not your fault and it's okay to tell."

The cost of the course is $20 per child, but if you have more than one child in your family interested in the radKIDS program, the second child is $10, and it's $5 for every child thereafter and scholarships are available. Space is limited and parents are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

For more information or to register, contact Shaw at 941-2980. For more information about radKIDS, visit www.radkids.org.

radKIDS strikes back against the ABCs of child victimization

Some startling statistics from radKIDS:

Abduction

An estimated 797,500 children are reported missing each year. In 40 percent of stereotypical kidnapping cases, the child is killed.

Bullying

Last year, 10,000 children stayed home from school at least once a month fearing bullies, and half the children were bullied weekly.

Child abuse and neglect

896,000 children were determined to be victims of child abuse and neglect, which is approximately one child every 35 seconds.

Sexual assault

There is one sex offender for every square mile in the United States. A typical molester will abuse 30 to 60 children before they are arrested.