Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Crime Prevention

Your Practical Guide To Crime Prevention Your Family

Contents

Your family: young Children (under 11)

Kidscape is a national charity working to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. This is what they recommend to help you keep your children safe:

To be safe.
Tell your children they have the right to be safe. No-one can take that away.

To be believed.
If your child wants your help, they need to know they will be believed and supported. This is especially true in the case of sexual assault, as children rarely lie about it.

To protect their own bodies.
Children must know that their bodies belong to them, especially the private parts covered by their swimsuits.

Try not to have secrets.
Child molesters that the child knows often say that a kiss or a touch is 'our secret'. Tell your children that some secrets should never be kept, even if they said they wouldn't tell.

To say no.
Tell your children that it's all right to say 'no' if someone tries to hurt them. A lot of children are told to always do what grown-ups tell them.

To refuse touches.
Tell your children they can say no to touching or kissing if they don't like it. If someone touches them and tells them to keep it a secret, they must tell you. Never force your child to hug or kiss anyone.

To get help against bullies.
Bullies pick on younger, more vulnerable children. Tell children to get friends to help them, and to say no without fighting. Make sure they tell a grown-up. Tell them to give up something a bully wants, such as a bike, if they are going to get hurt. Tell them you will not be angry if they come home without it.

Try not to talk to strangers.
Most well- meaning adults will not approach a child who is on their own, unless they are obviously lost or distressed. Tell your children never to talk to strangers, and to politely ignore any approach from a stranger. Get them to tell you if a stranger tries to talk to them.

To tell.
Tell your children they must always tell you what has happened and that you will not be angry with them.

To break rules.
Tell your children they can break rules to stay safe. They can run away, scream, lie or kick to get away from danger.

Children are more likely to be the victims of abuse in the home, or from someone else they know, and can be as traumatised witnessing domestic violence as children who are physically abused themselves.

Bullying

Children are also at risk from other children, most commonly in the form of bullying, although they can also be bullied by an adult.

For more information on bullying:

If you are being bullied, you can phone ChildLine on 0800 1111 or visit their website for advice.

The internet

The internet is very much a part of our lives these days, and provides a useful educational tool for adults and children.

But there is adult material on the internet which is not suitable for children. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may be able to advise you on filters which prevent children accessing adult or unsuitable material.

Keeping computers in family areas (not in a child's bedroom) also gives you some level of surveillance over how they are using the internet.

Chat rooms are often a fun way for children to gain social skills, 'meet' new friends and improve their computer and literacy skills. But they are can be misused, and this can pose a threat.

When they use chat rooms, encourage your children to:

  • never give out personal information, or their email address;

  • arrange to meet someone in the chat room if they get on well with them, rather than contacting them direct;

  • use a 'moderated' chat room, where someone 'referees' – this protects them from abusive people.

If they become so friendly with someone they chat to on-line that they want to meet in person, you should always go with them. Arrange to meet in a public place where there are lots of people around. Children and teenagers should never arrange to meet anyone they have met on-line without a responsible adult being with them.

For more information:

You can also get a copy of the Home Office leaflet 'Keeping your child safe on the internet'.

Your family: teenagers and young people

The same rules apply to teenagers and young people as to other people about staying safe when they are out and about.

Helping your children to be independent is a vital part of growing up, but they must also know how to look after themselves.

Young people are more likely to be the victims of theft and assault than any other age group. They are also the least likely to report a crime against them. Being honest with your children, and encouraging them to be honest with you, will help. You should ask them to tell you if they are in trouble, or if they have experienced any crime. Talk to them about ways to stay safe when they are out and about.

Make sure they know the risks of what they are doing – taking drugs or drinking, going out and meeting new people.

'Date Rape'

Being open with teenagers about relationships and sex can be difficult – for you and them. But an open relationship will make things better for both of you if something does go wrong.

There are a lot of pressures to become sexually active, and it is important that young people know they do not have to do anything they are not happy with.

Most rape happens between people who already know each other – it is rare to be raped by a stranger.

Sometimes, drugs are used to make people easier to rape. This is usually through 'spiking' drinks, whether with a pharmaceutical-type drug, or with stronger alcohol. The best way to guard against this is to keep your drink with you, drink out of a bottle and make sure that you take your drink straight from the bar staff.

See the advice on rape for what to do if you (or a member of your family) are raped.

Your family: Domestic Violence

Unfortunately, women are more likely to be at risk in the home than outside it, and statistics show that one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime.

Men also experience violence at home, the same advice applies to them. The Women's Aid Helpline will be able to refer you to services for men experiencing domestic violence.

There are many different ways to experience domestic violence.

  • Physically (being hit)

  • Sexually (rape or degrading treatment)

  • Emotionally or psychologically (being told you are a bad person, that you are worthless)

  • Financially (having money withheld, or being forbidden from getting a job)

  • Socially (not being allowed to see friends and family or go out)

However you experience domestic violence, it almost always gets worse over time.

It is not your fault, and you do not deserve it.

You (and your children) have the right to live free from fear and harm. This is true whatever your race, age, background or religion and whether you are married or living with your partner. In some cases, the violence continues (and gets worse) after the relationship has ended.

Domestic Violence is a Crime.

What you can do:

  • If you are experiencing domestic violence, you may feel like you have nowhere to go, or no-one to turn to. This is not true. There are a lot of organisations who can help you.

  • You may report your partner to the police, and try to have them kept away from you, your children or your house.

  • You may decide to leave the house and go to a friend's or relative's house, or to a refuge or hostel for women.

  • If you decide to leave, try to take things like passports or other identification, your children's birth certificates, and bank and benefit details.

For more information:

Phone the Women's Aid Helpline on: 0645 702 3468 or visit the Women's Aid website.

Your family: Alcohol

Alcohol is a part of British life (particularly British social life) and is not generally considered harmful in moderation. But alcohol can lead to problems.

Drinking a lot of alcohol can be bad for your health.

Drinking can also lead to other crimes. Drinking and driving results in many deaths every year.

Drunkenness can lead to disorder and violence, both in public and at home. Fifty times more people die from drinking every year than from all illegal drugs put together.

Alcohol and young people

It is illegal to buy alcohol if you are under 18, and drinking can cause health problems in young people.

But there is a lot of social pressure to drink.

Discuss drinking with your children, but be aware that they will see you as a role model too.

Try to set a good example with how you use alcohol.

For more information:

The alcohol concern website: www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

Your local doctor will also be able to help.

Your family: Drugs

Most drugs are illegal, and so taking or possessing them is a crime.

But drugs can lead to other crimes too, for example, stealing money to pay for drugs, crimes committed whilst on drugs (for example driving under the influence of drugs, or antisocial behaviour), and supplying others with drugs (dealing).

It is important to know that the penalties for dealing in a drug are much more severe than the penalties for possessing small amounts of that drug for personal use.

Young people and drugs

Talk to your children about drugs from an early age. It is important that they know they can be honest with you. If they tell you they are taking drugs, do not panic. One sort of drug use does not necessarily lead to another, or to a life of crime. Research shows that most young people grow out of taking drugs after a while.

In an emergency

If you suspect someone has taken an overdose:

  • If they are unconscious, or vomiting a lot phone 999 for an ambulance.

  • Put them in the recovery position if they are unconscious (lie them on one side with a cushion behind them, bring their knees forward and point their head downward).

  • Make sure there is good ventilation in the room, and that there are no obstructions in their mouth.

  • Speak calmly and reassuringly to them, telling them that help is on its way.

  • When the ambulance arrives, tell them what has happened, and what drugs they have taken, if you know. Neither you nor the person who has overdosed will get in trouble for telling them this.

Solvents

Solvents are things like glue and aerosols. They are not illegal and can make you 'high'. However, shopkeepers may not sell solvents to people under 18, if they believe they may inhale them. They are also very dangerous. If you suspect someone has been using solvents, and it is an emergency, follow the same steps as for drugs.

For more information:

Phone the National Drugs Helpline on 0800 776600 or visit the National Drugs Helpline website.

Last update: 16/09/03

Related Links