Experts warn of molesters’ preying skills

It could be an animal, a video game, the mention of a popular musician — anything to bring down a child’s defenses.

Child molesters, authorities say, are skilled at gaining youngsters’ confidence and making them forget about “stranger danger.”

It’s what happened this weekend when a man tried to molest a 5-year-old girl along a path at Naismith Valley Park by using the ruse he had seen some turtles nearby. The ploy briefly separated the young girl from her slightly older turtle-hunting brother.

“They do the research” about what children like, said Staca Urie, a supervisor with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Alexandria, Va. “They’re going to know every Britney Spears song. They’re going to know what the concert may be in that area that night – ‘I have tickets. You just have to come to my car to get them.’ “

Other common ruses used by child molesters, Urie said, include:

“They’ll assume whatever identity they need to,” Urie said.

And it’s not enough to simply teach children to be wary of strangers, she said. Children often lack good judgment about who is and isn’t a stranger, and they’re more likely to be molested by someone they know.

“You need to teach children what the boundaries are, no matter who it is,” Urie said.

Sgt. Mike Pattrick, a Lawrence Police spokesman, said he didn’t want to lay blame on anyone but the molester.

¢ Always take a friend with you when playing or going somewhere.¢ Don’t be tricked by people who offer special treats or gifts. Never accept anything from anyone without your parents’ or guardians’ permission.¢ Don’t wear clothes or carry items with your name visible on the outside.¢ Don’t go near a car with anyone in it unless you are with your parents, guardian or a trusted adult. Never take a ride from anyone without checking first with your parents or guardian.¢ Don’t be afraid to say “no” and get away from any situation that makes you feel scared, uncomfortable or confused. Trust your feelings, and be sure to tell a trusted adult if anything happens that makes you feel this way.Source: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

But he said that parents needed to supervise their children and remind them that when adults need help, they don’t ask children for it.

The assault Saturday afternoon was at least the fifth since July 2002 along the tree-lined paths of Naismith Valley Park, 1400 W. 27th St.

Police plan to conduct bicycle patrols in coming days as resources allow, and officers patrolling the area have been asked to pay extra attention to the park, Pattrick said.

The department also will be canvassing door-to-door in coming days, he said. All the recent assaults have been assigned to one lead detective.

Information wasn’t available Tuesday about the number of sexual assaults in other parks across the city compared with the numbers in Naismith Valley Park.

“I don’t think we’re having them in any other parks like we’re having them there,” Pattrick said.

Are you going to be less likely to let your children play alone in Naismith Park, now that police are investigating the report of a sexual assault there on a 5-year-old girl?

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