Prevent Child Sexual Abuse. HERE'S HOW. | Expert Pattie Fitzgerald (New Intro)
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#212: In the fall out of the Michael Jackson documentary Leaving Neverland, child safety expert Pattie Fitzgerald shares how to prevent child sexual abuse. Because it’s not just happening behind closed doors at fancy estates, it’s happening in church communities, family reunions, and even the doctor’s office. (I just got dizzy typing that). Last year, we recorded a conversation in front of a live audience. We’re sharing that along with this new statement from Pattie regarding the Michael Jackson allegations.
Parents have got to understand what grooming is and what the red flag warning signs are, because like so many other high profile cases, the Michael Jackson case was rife with warning signs. No healthy, stable adult man will ever ask a parent if their child can sleep over, without them, and share a bed. But a predator will… and their biggest trick is using that manipulation of being famous, rich, in a position to do “favors” for the family. Too many parents either choose to turn a blind eye, or refuse to believe anything bad about a person because they’re “so nice.”
My point of fact never changes: TWO THINGS CAN BE TRUE AT THE SAME TIME AND OFTEN ARE…someone can be NICE and still be a molester. In fact, that’s usually how it works. If parents are to learn anything from the Michael Jackson victims, it’s this: stop thinking a predator will look mean or dangerous, stop thinking a nice person in authority isn’t capable of victimizing children, and start understanding that it is a PARENT’S job to recognize a warning sign or “trick” when another person is basically “going out of their lane” to gain access and alone-time with your kid. That’s how we protect children. - Pattie Fitzgerald, http://safelyeverafter.com/
On Atomic Moms podcast, we learn:
how to teach our children: “you are the boss of your body”
why “stranger danger” is ineffective
the ways in which predators groom our children, like “accidental” touching games
how to keep your child safe from “cousin creepy”
the family code word – when to use it and what to do
sleepovers – the ones to avoid and how to politely get out of them
Ellie's mom-friend Jessica summed it up: "It's a Party at Ellie's. Wine! Cheese! A frank discussion about child predators!"
BONUS EPISODE #169 After our special live episode with child safety educator Pattie Fitzgerald officially ended, we kept talking so we kept recording! Sound-wise, consider yourself a part of the party. Because it was the end of the night, and we were not planning on sharing this, you'll hear parents rushing off to meet their sitters and our little dog Chubs even makes an appearance. The atmosphere is relaxed, but Pattie Fitzgerald's advice is top notch! In this bonus episode, we discuss:
Why we should encourage surprises and ban secrets
How to react if our child hints that something may be off
And how we can prevent our children from becoming victims of the next Larry Nassar
x Ellie Knaus
#MOMBOMB
GUEST BIO
Pattie Fitzgerald has been successfully teaching Child Predator Safety Awareness since 2001. She is the founder and creator of Safely Ever After, Inc. and provides effective, non-fearful safety workshops, seminars, and keynote speeches at schools, community organizations, churches, and corporations throughout the United States. She has trained many crime prevention educators and children’s advocacy groups with her specialized programs, curriculum, and educational materials. You can find her books here.
For more details on her work and media expertise, go to: http://safelyeverafter.com/ and join her Facebook group.
Special Thanks to my husband Adam Sztykiel for manning the sound at this live event Owen O’Neill: our NYC sound engineer Jeremy Turner: original theme composition