A police investigation in northwest Houston is putting renewed attention on an issue every parent should take seriously: how to teach children about personal safety, boundaries and speaking up when something feels wrong.
Houston police fatally shot an armed man Monday night at a dog daycare facility on Yupondale Drive, according to Police Chief Noe Diaz. Police said the man was under investigation for alleged indecency with a child involving sexual contact. Officers reportedly ordered him several times to drop his weapon before the shooting. The investigation is continuing.
While the circumstances of the case are still being investigated, child-safety experts consistently emphasize that prevention starts long before a child faces a dangerous situation.
Teach children that their body belongs to them
Children should understand that they have the right to say “no” when someone makes them uncomfortable.
Parents can teach children that private parts are private and that nobody should ask them to keep inappropriate touching, photographs or conversations secret.
The conversation should be age-appropriate and repeated over time rather than treated as one difficult talk.
Teach them the difference between a secret and a surprise
One important message is that unsafe secrets should never have to be kept.
A person who tells a child, “Don’t tell your parents,” especially about touching, photographs, messages or meetings, should immediately raise a red flag.
Children should know they can tell a parent or another trusted adult even if someone threatens them, scares them or says they will get into trouble.
Don’t rely only on “stranger danger”
Many children are taught to stay away from strangers, but safety education needs to go further.
Teach children to recognize unsafe behavior, regardless of who is involved.
That means helping them understand that an adult or older child should not ask them to hide things from their parents, make them uncomfortable with physical contact, ask for inappropriate pictures or try to isolate them.
Give children more than one trusted adult
Parents should identify several adults a child can approach if they don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents.
This could include a teacher, school counselor, relative, coach or another trusted family friend.
Children sometimes hesitate to tell their parents because they fear getting someone they know into trouble. Giving them multiple safe people to approach can make it easier for them to speak.
Know who has access to your children
Parents should also take reasonable steps to understand the people and organizations caring for their children.
Before enrolling a child in a daycare, activity, sports program, tutoring service or other organization, ask about:
- Background checks for employees and volunteers
- Staff training and supervision
- Rules about one-on-one contact with children
- How complaints or suspected abuse are handled
- Whether parents can visit or observe
- How the organization communicates with parents
No system can eliminate every risk, but asking these questions can help parents make more informed decisions.
Teach children what to do if they feel unsafe
Children don’t need complicated instructions.
A simple safety plan can be:
Get away. Find a safe adult. Tell someone. Keep telling until someone listens.
Parents should make it clear that if something inappropriate happens, the child will not be blamed.
A message especially important for immigrant families
For many Pakistani and other immigrant families in Houston, conversations about inappropriate touching or sexual abuse can feel uncomfortable because these subjects are often considered private or difficult to discuss with children.
But silence can leave children without the words they need when something goes wrong.
Parents do not have to give children adult-level information. They can use simple, age-appropriate language and make one message very clear:
“You can always tell me. You will not be in trouble for telling me.”
That message can be repeated regularly as children grow older.
If a child tells you something concerning
Stay calm and listen.
Avoid blaming the child or immediately confronting the person they have identified. Ask only simple, open questions and write down what the child says in their own words.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Houston families can also seek help from organizations such as The Children’s Assessment Center, which provides coordinated services for children and families affected by sexual abuse.
The goal isn’t to make children afraid of the world.
The goal is to give them the confidence, language and knowledge to recognize unsafe situations — and the confidence to ask for help.
