Pattie Fitzgerald, Child Predator Safety Educator, Speaks Out About Cleveland Kidnappings

Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry, and Michelle Knight are not to blame for their kidnapping. The blame lies solely on the cunning fiend, Ariel Castro, who took advantage of their innocence. In each instance, he tricked into getting into his car, appearing non-threatening and friendly. With each girl, he had a smile and a clever reason -- a trick, which caught them off guard. The tricks will keep on working if we don't get our kids street-smart and savvy.

In the aftermath of the rescue of three Cleveland kidnap victims, expert in childhood sexual abuse prevention explains why teens are vulnerable, how their abductor may not be a stranger, and offers parenting advice

SANTA MONICA, CA – In the aftermath of the dramatic rescue of Cleveland kidnap victims Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry, and Michelle Knight, Pattie Fitzgerald, author of No Trespassing – This Is MY Body! and founder of Safely Ever After, Inc., offers information which may surprise parents and change the way they look at discussing personal safety with their children, particularly their teens and tweens. 

“The most important thing to know for kids of all ages is that more often than not, kids are preyed upon by someone they know vs. a complete stranger,” says Fitzgerald.  “Case in point: Recent news reports indicate that Ariel Castro actually knew Gina DeJesus.” 

Fitzgerald explains that by simply teaching kids “don’t talk to strangers,” parents may be inadvertently putting their children at greater risk. 

“That’s why the standard ‘stranger-danger’ speech doesn’t work,” says Fitzgerald. “Kids keep expecting this boogeyman stranger, and most of the time, it doesn’t look like that all.  It’s doing a disservice to our children because it actually makes them more vulnerable.” 

Instead, Fitzgerald advocates teaching kids about the ploys an abductor may use to “trick” them into getting into a car or going with him/her.  

“Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry, and Michelle Knight are NOT to blame for their kidnapping. The blame lies solely on the cunning fiend, Ariel Castro, who took advantage of their innocence. In each instance, he TRICKED THEM into getting into his car, appearing non-threatening and friendly. With each girl, he had a smile and a clever reason -- a TRICK, which caught them off guard.”

“Notice that word”, emphasizes Fitzgerald, “TRICK.” “The TRICKS will keep on working if we don’t get our kids street-smart and savvy.”

Fitzgerald goes on to explain about the multiple risk factors faced by teenagers. 

Facts & Stats

• Statistically, teens and tweens are more vulnerable to abduction simply by virtue of the fact that they have more independence/less supervision.
• Simple science: the Prefontal Cortex of the Brain isn’t fully formed till the early 20′s. This regulates risk taking, impulsivity, ability to plan or strategize.  Meaning: teens are quick to act and may not always perceive the possible consequences. At a time when their brains are on emotional overload to begin with, parents mistakenly assume their child can make rational decisions in a split second.
• Over 70% of abductors use a vehicle in their ploy to move that child quickly.

Combine this with several other factors:


• Teens innately feel “I can take care of myself. “This won’t happen to me.”

• They have a false sense of security in their familiar surroundings and are often less aware/alert.
• Their danger radar doesn’t go up if a stranger seems nice.
• If the person is an acquaintance, (i.e. Castro), they may not think twice about entering that person’s home or car, because they’ve never been told not to do that.
• If they feel threatened or unsure, a teen is less likely to run or yell out for help because it’s “embarrassing”, they don’t want to make a scene. (Younger kids are more likely to yell out if scared or threatened).
• Parents assume a teen knows what to do in an unsafe situation because they’ve talked about stranger-danger when the kids were younger.

“It’s the perfect storm”, says Fitzgerald. “Kids don’t want to get into a car with some creep, but when that person seems friendly or has something interesting to offer, all bets are off”.

Her advice: “Stop teaching stranger-danger. Start having an authentic and honest conversation with your teenager about tricky people and the very real, common tricks and lures they use on unsuspecting teens.  And do it often because once is not enough. It’s fine for teens to be out in the world without us, but we have to teach them HOW to be in the world. Otherwise, they simply don’t know.”

For more information, visit www.safelyeverafter.com 

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About Pattie Fitzgerald -- Pattie Fitzgerald is the founder of Safely Ever After, Inc. and is recognized as a leading expert in the prevention of childhood sexual abuse and predator safety education. Her programs and curriculum are used by schools, community organizations, and family and parenting groups throughout the United States.  She’s the author of No Trespassing – This Is MY Body! and has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN Headlines News and ABC World News Tonight.  

For more information, visit www.safelyeverafter.com

Company Name: Safely Ever After, Inc
Contact Person: Pattie Fitzgerald
Email:Send Email
Phone: 310.203.1330
City: Santa Monica
State: California
Country: United States
Website: http://safelyeverafter.com/
Source: www.abnewswire.com