A social worker is keen to warn parents of the things she says ‘sex offenders don’t want you to know’.
The paediatric social worker says that one of these red flags on their own is not necessarily a worry but that research says sex offenders often display these types of behaviours.
Danielle, who has over 15 years experience of working with parents and kids says these are the things that mums, dads, guardians and caregivers should be extra vigilant about.
The first is when they claim to have an interest in the same things the child likes, even though this may not be the case.
The second is when they take the child’s side and often encourage them to act out against their parent or caregiver, insinuating that they would have taken their side in a disagreement.
Important advice from a paediatric social worker
Danielle advises ‘This helps them create a divide between the child and other adults. “I would’ve let you have the ice cream”’.
The third is when they are always offering to babysit or help out. This may not be the well-meaning offer it appears to be and instead they are hoping to get the child on their own.
‘They might want to take them on activities where they are isolated or likely to get undressed such a swimming or to the beach’.
Lastly, the social worker says another sign can be when this person is always saying they will supervise the kids, taking on the helpful role.
‘They often offer to be the supervisor of the children e.g. “you guys can eat, I’ll watch the kids in the pool”. This creates the identify of a helpful person who is worried about the kids. This gives them more opportunity to become familiar with the child and be alone’.
There are of course more, and often much more obvious signs, such as inappropriate jokes or with older content, potentially showing them unsuitable content.
Danielle ends her post by saying ‘silence protects predators. Education protects children’.
