Predator

PREDATORS toc

Description
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a predator as, "a person who plunders or pillages; a ruthlessly exploitative or rapacious individual." What this translates to is anyone who exploits or takes ad vantage of someone who cannot help themselves. The term sexual predator is analogous to the relationship between a lion and a gazelle. A sexual predator is thought of as anyone who stalks, or hunts, their prey and then commits a crime against them, such as rape or abuse in any sense of the term. The victims of predators can range in age from toddlers to the elderly, and can be men or women. Often times it is men who commit these baseless acts against women, children, and even other men; however, there have been reports and trials involving women also. Predator has become a common term for describing these offenders due to media influence and political speeches and appeared in common use around 1986. A recent study conducted by the Crimes Against Children Research Center found that, "Internet predators don't hit on the prepubescent children whom pedophiles target. They target adolescents, who have more access to computers, more privacy and more interest in sex and romance" and "sex assaults on teens fell 52 percent from 1993 to 2005, according to the Justice Department's National Crime Victimization Survey, the best measure of U.S. crime trends. "The Internet may not be as risky as a lot of other things that parents do without concern, such as driving kids to the mall and leaving them there for two hours'" (Wolaski, J., 2008)

Common Traits of Predators and Pedophiles:

According to Dr. Leigh Baker, author of //Protecting Your Children from Sexual Predators,// there are ten common characteristics found that can help parents or others identify those who may be harmful to children. While each of these traits on its own does not define a predator their combination does. Each term is a general characteristic shown to be common among predators and pedophiles. There are people who exhibit several of these traits and will never harm a child but it is important that people who are responsible for children can identify these traits and properly interpret them to prevent harm against those they are sworn to protect.


 * 1) Refusal to take responsibility for his or her actions and blames others for their circumstances and failures.
 * 2) A sense of entitlement.
 * 3) Low self-esteem.
 * 4) A need for power and control.
 * 5) A lack of empathy.
 * 6) An inability to form intimate relationships with adults.
 * 7) A history of Abuse.
 * 8) A troubled childhood.
 * 9) Deviant sexual behaviors and attitudes.
 * 10) Drug and/or alcohol abuse. (p.16, 2002)

What is the impact of this issue on K-12 schools, educators, and students?
The issue of sexual predators and child abusers affects everyone in our society. The range in ages of victims and perpetrators makes it a problem that all members of society need to be vigilant in guarding against. It is a particularly important issue for schools, educators and students. All schools must have protocols in place to guard their students and employees from predators. Actions must be taken to help guarantee that students at not placed in danger of being attacked or otherwise harmed. Below are a few areas that parents need to address with their children to make sure they are being safe. These areas have been listed in //How to Protect Your Child From Molesters// by Dr. Lauren Ayers with help from Ed Girtler, NYSP Senior Investigator, Ret. This is in no way an exhaustive list but rather a beginning list to make sure that children are practicing safe habits around others.

Are Your Kids Safe? Find Helpful Websites and Information
 * Get the Facts!**

**Kids’ Safety Habits**

 * 1. Always have an escape hatch-** Don’t ever get into a situation that you can’t get out of - Don’t Get Trapped.


 * 2. Two Deep-** No adult except a parent has reason to spend time alone with a child. In all other situations, the presence of two adults protects kids.


 * 3. No secrets**- When a teenager [or adult] wants a younger child to keep something secret, it indicates risky behavior.


 * 4. Keep your hands to yourself**- By teaching children to avoid the touch of adults outside the family, we help them to identify risky circumstances.


 * 5. Seductive behavior**- The response to unwanted sexual advances is to remove oneself, even though this may be awkward. It is important to teach children how to recognize the signs of this behavior especially as they approach and enter puberty.


 * 6. Illegal behavior**- Children are protected from crime under the U.S. Constitution and they cannot be forced into sexual activity by an adult. A child is defined as any person under the age of seventeen. This can be changed based on individual circumstances and offenses but never if it involves a sexual relationship between a person considered an adult and one defined as a child.


 * 7. Protect other kids**- When kids don’t report sexual advances, it recycles a predator, so he is now better prepared to approach other kids. Although kids rarely report sexual abuse, they may act to protect other kids, particularly younger or disabled kids. They are far more likely to report this type of activity if it involves somebody else, not them, and if that somebody is smaller and weaker than they are.


 * 8. Internet safety**- Adults can teach kids Internet safety by finding ways to be safe themselves, which requires active learning about the Internet. The home computer should also be placed in a common area room so that parents can monitor their child's use of the internet.

Integrating this topic into Daily Instruction:
It is now agreed by most experts that there is never an age to young to instruct and teach children about the dangers of sexual predators. Considering that even babies are not immune from these abusers the sooner a child knows about predators the better. Above are listed several strategies for parents to keep their children safe. However, much of the time parents rely on schools and teachers to educate their children about the dangers of child molesters and predators. Parents instruct their children to stay away from strangers when they are young but that is often the extent of their involvement in the subject. It is imperative that educators teach students about predators and the danger they pose. As a general rule any class involving the use of the internet should include not only guidelines for online responsibility but also address the dangers of posting any personal information, pictures, and how to use the internet safely.

Videos and Links for Protecting Your Students Reinforcement for Every Grade Be Prepared for Your Students
 * Protect those you are responsible for by clicking the link below!**

**PreK-K instruction:**
During this phase of a students life the focus should be on the danger of talking to and interacting with strangers on a personal level. Children this young often don't use the computer unless under the direct supervision of a parent. Because the students are so young they aren't able to fully understand if someone means them harm or not. They aren't old enough to comprehend and perceive the characteristics of dangerous people and dangerous situations. At this point all students should use the blanket rule of staying away from strangers and alerting adults if they are approached by someone they don't know.

Grades 1-3 instruction:
Students during this portion of their education are still very young. For the first and second graders educators should continue to reinforce the rule of not talking to any strangers. Students should still be encouraged to use the computer only under direct parental control. At the third grade level, instruction for how to spot predators and identify certain behaviors can begin. Students at this age level will still not be able to fully comprehend all this information but they can begin learning it so they have an easier time with the information as they grow older.

**Grades 3-5 instruction:** These grade levels are pivotal to instructing students about the danger of predators. During these grades students will begin to use the computer by themselves and have added freedoms outside of the home and school. Many students will begin to be allowed to leave the home to go to a near by park or ride their bikes to a friends house down the street. If they are in walking distance to their school, they may also begin walking themselves to school. It is imperative that educators reinforce the safe behavior students have been learning in their previous grades. Classroom instruction about the safety of numbers, informing an adult of where they are going, and how to spot dangerous situations should addressed during these grades. Lessons should be taught on safe habits that safe kids use.

**Click the link below to see lesson plans for classroom instruction that aline with NETS-S.**These Lesson Plans are Based on NETS-Standards

**Grades 5-8 instruction:**
These grades are often when children begin to leave their daycare providers and begin going home alone. It is important that students are taught the importance of locking all doors and never opening the door for anyone when their parents aren't home. This should include all family members that are not the mother and father. Child molestation is more likely to occur during these ages and is often perpetrated by someone that the family knows.There are several videos about safety at home that can be shown during class to help illustrate the importance of being safe. These grades should also make sure to reinforce the safe habits of safe kids that the students have been learning since first grade.

**Click Here for Lesson Plans!** Be Cyber-Smart

**Grades 7-9 instruction:**
Besides following the rules and instruction above students also need to learn about internet safety. As their classes begin to ask them to use computers for their assignments, students must be instructed on how to be responsible and safe internet citizens. Classroom instruction should go over personal information on the internet. Students are now using computers with limited to no parental supervision and this places them more at risk. Parents should be told to monitor their children while on computers. This can be done by a letter or email to all students parents to make sure they are aware of the dangers of the internet. In the classroom teachers should spend time making sure students understand that what they post on the internet can be seen by anyone. There also must be lessons on cyber-bullying and students must understand that nothing of that nature will be tolerated by the school.

See what Montgomery County has to say.
 * One School Systems Plan.**

**Grades 9-12 instruction:**


These are the grades when students can be most prone to predators. At these ages students use the computer with no parental supervision and may even have their own computers in their rooms. Again, letters and emails should be sent to all parents about the dangers of the internet and its correct use. With the freedom that comes with age students are more likely to interact with others on the internet and meet them face-to-face. Students must be made aware that meeting anyone from the internet can be very dangerous and that people often lie when using the internet. This is also the time when students must learn how to spot predators and potentially dangerous situations. During these ages students can be instructed on what traits and signs to look for from potential abusers and predators. This is the time when they must take responsibility for their personal well being. There are several videos, chat groups, and programs that have been developed for use in the classroom to help students become responsible and safe adults.

Complete Lesson Plan for 9th Grade Safe Teens ===Safe Teens===
 * What's In A Name?**

Additional Links
1. A few years ago NBC began a program linked with their news program //Dateline:// the series was called //To Catch A Predator//. The premise of the show was that someone from the studio pretended to a a young girl or boy talking to older men through the internet. A place and time were set up for a meeting between the "predator" and a news crew from NBC. The following link gives information about how to spot predators on the internet and old video clips from the show. There are also links provide to experts and law enforcement agencies for reporting suspected predators. []

2. This link provides information on sexual offenders by state or zip code. Simply type in a zip code to see how many registered sex offenders live in the area. The site also lists the crimes these offenders have been convicted of, which range from various forms of rape to sexual abuse of minors. It provides photos and addresses for all offenders listed in a particular area or state. This site is to be used for informational purposes only; at no time should any of these offenders be confronted or other wise harassed. @http://www.prevent-abuse-now.com/register.htm

3. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have several helpful tips and resources available online for parents, guardians, and childcare providers for protecting children against predators. The best form of protection for children against people who seek them harm is to take steps to reduce their chances of coming into contact with these people. @http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=200

4. The University of New Hampshire has a research and education department called Crimes Against Children Research Center. This website provides many of the latest statistics and findings associated with predator and abduction crimes of children. This website can help clam and ally fears of parents and childcare providers, often caused by the sensationalized media coverage of these crimes, by providing real statistics and findings that are often less horrible than how they are protrayed by the media. @http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/