20 Child Safety Red Flags
With our focus on child and youth safety, KidCheck has answered many questions about how to predator-proof an organization over the years. When we discuss child predators, we often hear the same responses, “Why would a predator target our organization?” “Predators are monsters; I would know one if I saw one,” “I know everyone who volunteers in our kid’s area. They are friends, family, or people with strong recommendations.” These responses are often followed up with a sincere thank you for the information, but there’s no need to be concerned; we’re safe.
But the truth is child predators have spent years deceiving people and are good at choosing organizations where they know they will succeed or not have their behaviors called into question. When assessing an environment, predators look for easy access to kids and opportunities to isolate them. This is why it’s crucial to understand some of the most common yet overlooked behaviors that indicate a person may not be a safe choice to be around kids.
These behaviors are known as red flags or warning signs. Remember that behavior is not an indication of guilt or proof of wrongdoing but an intuitive marker that something is off. When a person observes a behavior that makes them uneasy, we refer to this as healthy skepticism. Healthy skepticism indicates that you need to consider your gut feeling, pay closer attention, and gather more information.
Here are 20 possible red flags or warning signs.
- Continually tries to access children, even if they don’t have any ties to the program.
- Has an excessive interest in a child or group of children.
- Asks to take pictures of or with children that aren’t theirs.
- Gives gifts or pays special attention to a specific child.
- Lingers outside the children’s area too often and too long.
- Frequently offers favors to “help you out” with the children but isn’t a screened and approved volunteer.
- Repeatedly enters the children’s bathrooms and doesn’t respect children’s privacy.
- Ignores personal boundaries with inappropriate touching or behavior that blurs the lines between affection and misconduct, such as excessive hugging or tickling.
- Intentionally isolates or separates a child from their friends, family, or peers.
- Asks or encourages the child to keep secrets such as their relationship, conversations, and forbidden activities.
- Uses digital platforms to make contact without parental permission. This includes excessive texting, emailing, or engaging children through gaming without parental oversight.
- When questioned about their interactions with kids, they become aggressive, defensive, hostile, and angry.
- Pushes the limits of established policy to see how far they can go before someone reacts or questions them.
- Overrides the authority of your established policies and guidelines in the child protection policy, comprehensive screening, Two Adult rule, and bathroom procedures.
- Normalizes inappropriate behavior by encouraging children to engage in viewing explicit material or behaviors unsuitable for their age.
- Displays favoritism towards a single child over others.
- Uses guilt, shame, or manipulation to control or exploit a child, resulting in the child feeling liable for the predator’s emotions.
- Mention topics that are not age-appropriate, such as sexual jokes, inappropriate comments, or innuendos in front of children.
- Displays a fast, intense bond with a child or youth by overriding normal social or relational limits.
- Gives children gifts, money, or special privileges without a reason or parental knowledge and permission.
Your Role
If you suspect abuse or have observed any of these behaviors, please act!
Click here to learn more about the benefits of using secure children’s, youth check-in, and volunteer scheduling to help manage your events, keep families smiling, and improve safety. You can also subscribe to the KidCheck blog or connect with us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
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