Lectures educate Misawa community on child lures prevention

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Allison Day
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Ken Wooden, founder of Child Lures Prevention, presented two lectures on child predators at the Tohoku Enlisted Club here in August.

One lecture focused on professionals including security forces and the second on parents and children eight and older.

"We received an e-mail about the presentation that Mr. Wooden provided at Patrick (Air Force Base) and how well he was received," said Rochelle Phelps, 35th Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy outreach manager. "We were especially interested in the prevention aspect as it applies to internet predators. With the advent of sites such as 'Facebook' and 'My Space' and our increasing reliance on the internet to communicate, we thought this was especially important information for the community."

Mr. Wooden, a published author with a background in education, was an investigative reporter who focused on issues affecting children, particularly sexual exploitation.

"I became involved in finding out the lures that sexual predators used to trap children because I have three girls," said Mr. Wooden. "Lures are the warning. William Shakespeare said 'bait the hook well and the fish will bite.' However, if you understand that under the worm is a hook -- the lure -- then you can learn the lures and a predator will not be able to catch you."

He used simple, but effective ways to explain the concept of the law to parents and their children by explaining anyone who harms a child has done something against the law. In addition, he talked to parents about teaching boys to show greater respect to girls. He called this the concept of dignity and said if boys show greater respect to girls it fosters self-esteem.

"Learning 16 lures is not difficult," said Mr. Wooden. "It's not a chore to learn 16 lures because the human brain is better than a computer. Trust a gift that all of you were endowed with when your life began. In your make up, you have certain genetic skills that were given to you - it's in your belly - it's called your basic instinct."

Children have great instincts that they should recognize, trust and follow.

"Children know when they're uncomfortable," said Mr. Wooden. "As parents you can keep things simple by teaching them the basics, such as the areas of the body covered by a bathing suit are their private parts. And if someone touches you there - IT'S AGAINST THE LAW."


During the seminar, Mr. Wooden was unfortunately able to give examples of children who had been abducted and killed by predators.

"Of all the lures, the assistance lure is the most lethal lure and has taken the lives of many children," said Mr. Wooden. "Predators use this lure to approach children in a car looking for a 'McDonald's.' And they use any means, like needing help finding a pet, to lure children away from safety."

If any car approaches (you), don't get close and run in the opposite direction away from the car, he instructed the children.

Many parents in attendance appreciated the way Mr. Wooden was able to connect with their children and felt the seminar was beneficial.

"Both Morgan, my 13-year-old, and Hannah, my 11-year-old, said the presentation was very beneficial," said Col. Cedric George, 35th Maintenance Group commander. "Like me, they thought Mr. Wooden covered all the lures used by sexual predators. Truthfully, the session scared the girls (as it did me).
I'm troubled by the focus and energy sexual predators exert planning to hurt our precious children."

Tiffany Barnett agreed the seminar was beneficial.

"Although my son, Logan, is only six months, I attended the seminar because I have younger brothers, sisters and a niece and I received valuable information I can pass on to them," said Mrs. Barnett.

And this was the reason for the seminars.

"To get the word out, not about why predators do what they do, that will never change," said Mr. Wooden. I've interviewed hundreds of predators and the why never changes. It's the how that's important. It's how predators get their victims to trust them.

Prevention is the key to protecting your child, he added.

"Because predators are the way they are, we must be relentless in protecting our children; they're never too old to learn," said Colonel George. "Both of my girls were taught some of the lures in school, but Mr. Wooden was effective in covering the remaining lures by using realistic and sometimes tragic examples."

Mr. Wooden offered the following tips to keep families safe.

1. Parents should accompany children on all talent pursuits and children must never remove clothes for photos or videos. This is the ego/fame lure.
2. Parents are your legal guardian and they are the only ones who can give you permission to do anything.
3. Parents tell your child if people ask sensitive questions to let you know. Predators like to find out how parents get along, so they can drive a wedge between the parents and the child.
4. Establish that sexual abuse is a crime. This gives children the confidence to assert themselves with those who try to abuse them.
5. Stress that there should be no secrets from you, especially those involving an adult.
6. Do not rely on the "buddy system." While it may make children (and parents) feel safer, its effectiveness is questionable. In many instances, sisters, brothers and playmates have been victims of terrible crimes when together.
7. Do not go with anyone to find a lost puppy. This is a pet lure.
8. Badges are only shown when you are being arrested. This is an authority lure.
9. There's no free lunch. Do not accept gifts from anyone. This is the bribery lure.
10. Don't go with anyone if there is an emergency at your home. This is the emergency lure.
11. Innocent games such as quarters, tickling and wrestling gives molesters an opportunity to touch you. This is the fun and games lure.
12. When children are abused by someone they look up to, this is the hero lure.
13. Parents should go with children on job interviews. Just because children are older doesn't mean they can't get lured. This is the job lure.
14. Lonely and attention-starved children are most vulnerable to abuse especially by online predators. Parents need to learn computer speak.
15. Encourage children to recognize, trust and follow their instincts -- and listen to your own instincts. If a situation or person makes you or your child uncomfortable listen to your instincts.