Child Abductors - Basic Tips For Avoiding Or Escaping From Them

The experts say the first few seconds or minutes are critical for children being seized for assault or abduction. The best chance for safe escape is during those early moments. However, young children do not have the physical capacity to kick or hit back effectively. But they can scream instantly for help if their mouths are not gagged by one of the abductor's hands, in which case they must bite those hands hard, and then scream as loud as they can immediately.

Additionally, young children can and should always be cautious when away from their homes. They can and should be trained to be on a constant look out for any kind of potential danger, and to avoid the slightest possibility of their being abducted from happening, even if the probabilities for them are low. They can also be taught what to do if they should be abducted. Here are some of the things young children can do to avoid or escape from potential abductors.

1. Be extremely cautious and preventative.

Always be alert for potential danger from strangers, even while playing with friends.
Do not walk to school or to a local store alone.
Always have adult permission to go somewhere, and let them know where you are.
Do not go into public restrooms alone without someone watching out for you.
Never let strange adults ask you for help, or to ride with them.
Instead of saying NO nicely to a prying adult, turn away from him or her immediately, and run to a nearby house or store and tell someone what just happened.
Do not let strange adults enter your home or playhouse.
Do not let strange adults touch you.
Avoid suspicious looking vehicles (i.e., opened van door, car parked funny nearby).
Know the many lures of abductors and predators (see below)


by offering to help with a would-be family crisis or emergency
by offering help to find a pet or to fix something
by posing as a friend, relative, or authority figure
by bribing with toys, pets, or candy
by complimenting the young ego
by trying to start-up or join-in kid games
by asking for directions or help
by offering part-time work.

2. If snatched by a child abductor, fight back immediately.

Scream for help by yelling 911, fire, or you are not my mom or dad.
Bite the abductor's arm or hand hard to break their grip.
Kick hard, try to strike the abductor's knee or groin area.
Scratch or bite the abductor's face.
Throw your head back into abductor's head.
Use your fist or thumbs to grope at the abductor's eyes.
If the abductor releases you, find and wrap your arms and legs around a nearby tree or pole, or run to the nearest home, store, or person.

3. If abducted into a vehicle, be cool.

Tell the abductor you are in a child-protection program. The police have all of your vital information.
Send distress signals to other drivers or pedestrians.
Wave or make hand signals so others can see them.
Mouth the words 911 or help.
Make stressful facial expressions and eye contact.
Flag others with a handkerchief or stocking.
Make HELP or SOS letters on the side window with your finger.
Quietly text with a cell phone.
Trigger a personal alarm if you have one.
Leave a trail of clues if possible (e.g., with cell-phone signals, written notes, or items from a purse or billfold).
Calculate the risks for escaping from a moving vehicle, e.g., is it worth jumping from a slow moving vehicle, or to deliberately cause a wreck to escape from one? Maybe so?
Grab the ignition keys to turn off the engine. Throw them under the seat or out the window, and then brace yourself for a possible crash.

Your abductor will more-than-likely try save himself by avoiding a major wreck. If other people are around, he or she will panic and run away. And, more importantly, you will be alive. Otherwise, wait and stay alert for an opportunity to call for help or to escape, and then do it.

To read more about the common patterns of child abductions, and how to prevent and escape them, see the following sites.

1. KidSave Child Safety Tips - Preventing Child Abduction http://www.kidsave.com/child_safety_information.html

2. Suite101?.com Self-Defense for Kids -- How to Scare Away a Child Predator by Jenny Evans http://earlychildhood.suite101.com/article.cfm/self_defense_for_kids