Program Arms Parents Against Sexual Predators

ANAHEIM — When Anthony Martinez of Beaumont was abducted and molested in April, his killer enticed the 10-year-old by asking him to look for a lost cat.

Sex crime experts immediately recognized a pattern: Asking for the child’s help is the most common lure child molesters use.

With 70,000 registered sex offenders in California--3,132 in Orange County alone--investigators and community education experts decided parents should be warned about techniques molesters use to attract children.

The result is a program called Child Lures, offered through the state Department of Corrections in Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.

“Only 10% of the registered sexual offenders are under parole and can be monitored,” said Parole Agent Reginald Edmond, who conducted the program Friday for employees of the City of Anaheim Boxing Club. “Since we can’t monitor them, we are trying to teach [parents] the lures sexual predators use.”

The program involves videotapes, discussion and a booklet outlining the 15 most common lures molesters use.

The program teaches parents and kids to trust their funny feelings about situations and people. “We teach kids to follow our instincts,” Edmond said. “Teach your kids to say no.”

During Edmond’s presentation, a trainer for the boxing club said she would start the program in her community. “There is no discussion about the do’s and don’ts between parents,” Yvonne Jurado said.

The program teaches that parents should ask kids to report any strangers approaching them. “If your kids tell you they were asked to look for an animal or something, ask them to report it.”

Edmond pointed out that before Martinez’s killer succeeded in luring the boy, he had approached five or six other children.

After Martinez was killed, the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County invited Edmond to present Child Lures after realizing that landlords often hire managers who know about maintenance and rent collection but aren’t adept at running criminal checks and credit checks. After Edmond’s presentation, some managers admitted it never occurred to them to do a criminal check, said Rose Mayes, executive director of the council.

Edmond has given the presentation to teachers, parents, kids, community leaders and landlords. He encourages community leaders to initiate the program themselves. The material is available free to community groups in the four counties through the Department of Corrections in Diamond Bar. For more information, contact Edmond at (909) 468-2357.

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Common Lures

Four common techniques molesters use to entice a child’s trust and how to prevent them:

Assistance

* Scenario: Asks for help finding a pet, needs directions or physical help

* Prevention: Explain that adults know to ask adults for help

Emergency

* Scenario: Pretends a family member was in car accident or is in danger

* Prevention: Create plan to handle such emergencies; teach child to follow plan

Fun and Games

* Scenario: Plays game that usually leads to physical contact

* Prevention: Reinforce that it is illegal for adults to touch children’s private parts

Computer/Online

* Scenario: Invites child to meet in person to exchange gifts

* Prevention: Teach children never to go alone to meet anyone they’ve only chatted with online

Source: Child Lures Ltd.