Halloween is a great holiday for children to let loose and have fun. The question parents often ask is how do we protect our children and keep them safe on Halloween. The trick is to have the conversation beforehand. Talk to your children about safety procedures and healthy boundaries. Tell them what parts of their body no one is allowed to touch and if anyone touches them in an uncomfortable way, you want them to tell you. 

Experts estimate 1 and 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. The Child Advocacy Center believes it is the adults' responsibility to protect children. Since 80% of child sexual abuse happens in isolated one-on-one situations, we must work together to avoid these situations to keep our children safe. Check out some of the best ways to protect the children this Halloween:

• Map out your route – do you know the people's houses you will be making stops at?
• Don't leave your children unattended – there is safety in numbers, so make sure there are multiple children and safe adults present.
• Don't allow your children to enter homes unless that home belongs to a trusted adult.
• Have your kids carry flashlights or glow sticks, so they can see and be seen.
• Remind them that no matter what a person is wearing as a costume, boundaries still exist and matter.
• Be on the same page about where your teen is going, who they'll be with, and when they should be back. Check-in with them periodically, just to make sure they're safe. Plan a safe trick or treating route together.
• Establish a “safe word” that your teen can use if they need a reason to leave. If they use that word, you'll know to come get them
• Are they spending the night with a friend? Touch base with the other parents and find out who will be staying over and the sleeping arrangements.
• Ask them to remain with a group, instead of going off on their own. Remember, there's safety in numbers!

Creep it real and have fun this Halloween!

For questions about keeping your children safe from predators at other times of the year contact Brittnie Noble at the Child Advocacy Center for information on the Darkness to Light child sexual abuse prevention trainings scheduled in our community. Or bring the Darkness to Light training for your church, school, daycare, or civic group. Noble can be reached at (615) 867-9000 or bnoble@cacrutherford.org.

Image: Photo by sebastiaan stam from Pexels