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Resources Available to Help Keep Kids Safe
Resources Available to Help Keep Kids Safe
Editor:
Family and friends will never forget Brooke Bennett, and neither will those of us who work at Prevent Child Abuse Vermont. Blessed as we are in a beautiful, rural state, we like to believe that we are immune from much of the crime that we associate with urban areas. The internet, though, is truly global. As our state strives to provide cell phone and internet access for all of its citizens by 2010, it's critical that we pay attention to how these technologies impact our children and how we can protect them. Most children growing up in our communities today don't remember the world before computers and the internet. They've been using these technologies since they could walk and talk, and they're often better at it than their parents and their teachers. Programs that monitor or filter the internet are an important part of any attempt to protect children online, but savvy users can often bypass or disable these tools. The most important aspect of any prevention effort is communication between parents and children. Just as we ask our sons and daughters what happened at school, at camp, at the babysitters, at 's today, we must also ask what happened online, on MySpace, on their game of choice. Know who your children and teens are talking to online, and what they''re doing. Agree to rules around what they do online and when. Like so many things about parenting, there is no magic wand - but there are a lot of little things that we can do to help keep them safe. Vermont has many resources available to schools, families, communities of faith, and local communities. Prevent Child Abuse Vermont is one of these resources. We offer two technology safety workshops addressing child sexual abuse for students, parents, teachers, youth workers, early childhood educators, grandparents and students. We also have a toll free 'Stress Line' staffed by professionals ready to help. Our number is 1-800-CHILDREN (800-244-5373). We pray that Brooke Bennett's memory will strengthen Vermonter's resolve to guide and protect all our children so that no more families, in Vermont or elsewhere, will ever go through this sort of unimaginable pain. Our prayers and thoughts go out to Brooke's family and friends in this difficult time.
Linda E. Johnson, Executive Director
Ms. Robin T. Castle, Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Manager
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont Montpelier
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