Note from Eva: This Monday, October 8, 2012 a sentencing conference is scheduled to determine if Jerry Sandusky will be considered a sexually violent predator.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Tuesday the 9th.  With the rape of women in Jamaica making headlines, and the predatory practices of pedophiles in the spotlight here in the states, it is imperative that we remain vigilant and informed when it comes to protecting our children.

Sandusky is facing 373 years in prison for sexually abusing 10 boys over 15 years. During those years he served as the defensive coordinator at powerhouse Pennsylvania State University.

Please welcome Rodney C. Davis of Parenting Today Tips (http://parentingtodaytips.thelifeparent.com/) as a new guest poster on SocaMom.com. For the last 9 years he has been “delivering parenting education as a part of [his] function as a Social Worker at the Sundial School on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten/St. Martin.  Here is his commentary on the dangers facing our kids today…

Guest Blogger Disclaimer: Please note that the opinions expressed by guest bloggers may not reflect the opinions of Eva Wilson or SocaMom.com. This post may contain external links, that cause you to leave SocaMom.com. We are not responsible for the content of those links.  Please visit the author’s website for more information, and to read more of their work.

Can it REALLY be true that perverts and pedophiles are hiding in plain sight everywhere? How much of a chance is there for something like the Sandusky case in your neck of the woods?

Sometimes the media would have you believe there is a child predator n every neighborhood, in every apartment complex, and hovering around every single school waiting to pounce on your child.

This is a seriously disturbing issue. It doesn’t take much to conjure up an image in your head with your child in it to make you sick to your stomach.  You feel a sense of panic just thinking about it, don’t you?

A child who has been molested loses a lot more than just his or her innocence. What I’m about to disclose comes out of my interactions with mental health professionals when we meet and can speak freely without putting their clients at risk.  It’s impossible to get accurate research done because of the sensitive nature of molestation, and the circumstances that often surround it.  I still believe that anecdotal information is very useful for you as a parent, so here goes:

Facts that parents need to know

• Most victims are molested somewhere between the ages of 9 and 13. It can and does happen at any age, but this window of time is when your child is at highest risk.
• Girls are at the highest risk.
• Boys DO get molested; it’s just as devastating, and the perpetrator is more often a female than it is a male (surprise, surprise!)
• It has become more and more difficult for pedophiles to find victims they do not know. Communities are getting better at talking about this openly, and there is good information out there for you to arm yourself with as a parent.
• Those hiding in plain sight as priests, teachers, coaches and youth leaders can’t find victims as easily as they did, say 30 years ago either. The global community has gotten too savvy, and children are being educated and protected in many of the ways you can find online.
• The same applies where the dangers of socializing online are concerned. Both parents and their children are protecting themselves like never before. Children are still at risk, but they are not taken in as easily these days.
• Despite all that, the sad truth is that only one in ten cases are ever reported. Even less are even told to parents. That should lead you to your own answer to the question about how real the dangers are. All we see in the press is still only the tip of the iceberg.
• Child predators are succeeding through what we thought was the safest institution of all… right within the family. The greatest risk has now shifted—to people we still THINK are safe to be around our children.

The reality is that once you are very vigilant, and have the proper relationship at home, the risk is almost non-existent.  I mean that.  But you have to be careful. The rule of thumb is: If you don’t know them EXTREMELY well, you can’t trust them, even if they are close family members. To make things worse, if it’s a family member you DO know, the odds are even more in the predator’s favor that you won’t ever get to hear about it, sad to say.

Click on all the links in this article. Pay keen attention. If you don’t, perpetrators will.

But we can beat them to the punch. There is safety in numbers. Being a part of the “SocaMomDC” community was a great start.  Now go sit down with your significant other, think about ways to keep your children safe, and share them with us here.

I beg you.

For details on reducing the risk, and keeping children thriving and safe from predators, visit my website – Parenting Today Tips.