Helping Our Children Stay Safe - The Sandusky Reaction

I, like most people with a brain, have spent the last two weeks shaking in utter disgust over the allegations against Jerry Sandusky.  To be honest, I hate to even use the word "allegations" in this situation as I find it hard to believe they are anything but truths being told by these poor, innocent victims.  As a mother, it is atrocious, gut-wrenching, and simply infuriating.  I have contemplated writing about this ever since the horrendous news broke last week, however, I decided Jerry Sandusky has received enough air time, and, I've opted to focus on what I believe to be more important: focusing on measures to keep our children safe.

We all know our children should utilize the old school buddy system, yet, this is something many parents have been lax on.  Hey, I'll admit it, I once let my child walk home from the bus stop after it dropped her off from her cheerleading practice at 5:30 p.m., when it is now pitch black in our neighborhood.  So, rule #1: Never let your guard down.  Sure, I would like to believe that  my neighborhood is safe enough for Maddy to walk home alone in the dark during the dinner hour, but, that's simply not the world we live in.  I now meet Maddy at the bus stop every night.  I may sound like a lone, over protective mother when I say this, but, I can tell you the bus stop looks like the Grand Central of minivans at this hour, so, clearly I am not alone in my thought processes.  Bottom line: Never let your guard down.  Ever.  It's easy to do it, and, it's something even I have to be mindful of every day.

Next, I wholeheartedly believe every child, male and female, should partake in some sort of self-defense class...often.  Thankfully, my son loves tae kwon do, and, I at least have the comfort of knowing that, should someone try to physically harm him, they'd learn that was a mistake within 30 seconds.  But, what about my cheerleading, petite daughter?  Well, this situation has made me realize I need to get her in a self-defense class pronto.  Thankfully, my son's martial arts studio offers self-defense class for the school's students as well as their family members.  Trust me...we will ALL be at the next class.

Also, open communication is key.  Our children need to know that, no matter how horrendous the situation, they can and must confide it in us.  These days, child development specialists suggest each child have five "safe people" they can confide in should they need to pick and choose who they can turn to for help. 

Finally, I'm putting pressure on our lawmakers to change the reporting policies of our children's teachers, coaches, etc.  The only thing I find more appalling than nobody stepping in to help these children are the "leaders" out there who claim they would have responded to this situation exactly the same way.  Seriously?  As you read and hear all of the backlash about the lack of intervention provided to these children, you would still respond the same way?  If this is the mindset of some teachers, coaches, or anybody for that matter, the law needs to intervene and take the side of the children and make it a legal requirement to properly report such events to the police...period.