Student Safety: What parents should know after alarming incidents in the community
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)- More than half a million children across the United States were confirmed victims of abuse or neglect in 2024, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau.
In Riverside County, the data show 9.4 victims for every 1,000 children. Those cases include different forms of maltreatment, including physical and sexual abuse.
News Channel 3 spoke with experts about what parents can do before a child ever has to report something — from building trust at home to recognizing when a change in behavior may warrant a closer conversation.
Coachella Valley Unified School District Support Counselor Katrina Vega said parents should create opportunities for children to talk about uncomfortable experiences as part of everyday conversation.
She said parents should also be mindful of how they react if a child does tell them something concerning.
“The first, very first thing is to not react. Try to keep as calm a demeanor as possible,” Vega said. “Because if your child says something to you that's alarming and you respond with anger or with shock, it's going to turn the child off to wanting to share those things.”
Vega recommends asking open-ended questions and allowing children to explain what happened rather than immediately reacting or jumping to conclusions.
John Conte, professor emeritus at the University of Washington, said parents can begin building that trust long before there is ever a concern about abuse.
“When a child goes to some event, whether it's a soccer game or a ballet class or an art class or a school, it's really important for the parent to talk to the child,” Conte said.
Conte said those conversations can include asking what a child enjoyed, what they did not enjoy and whether anything made them uncomfortable.
He also encourages parents to teach children basic boundaries, including body ownership and the difference between a surprise and a secret.
“Somebody who tells a child to keep a secret, especially from parents — that's a red flag,” Conte said.
Parents should also pay attention to changes in behavior.
Vega said that could include a child suddenly becoming more withdrawn, easily angered or no longer wanting to attend an activity or visit a place they previously enjoyed.
“If all of a sudden they don't want to go to the neighbor's house and they always wanted to be there before, all of those things can be a sign,” Vega said.
She emphasized that one behavioral change does not automatically mean abuse has occurred. Instead, a change that is unusual for a particular child can be a reason for parents to check in.
Conte also cautioned that parents may not always see an obvious warning sign. If a child does disclose something concerning, he said the first response should focus on making sure the child feels heard and supported.
“You can thank the child for sharing that, and you can talk to the child about what are next steps to make you safe,” Conte said.
Parents can also ask questions before enrolling their children in schools, sports programs, religious groups and other activities.
Conte recommends asking organizations directly about their child-protection policies, including whether adults are allowed to be alone with children and whether one-on-one interactions take place in open, visible spaces.
“One thing I would ask of any organization, whether it's a ballet class, a religious youth group, a classroom is, ‘What are your child protection policies?’” Conte said.
Vega similarly recommends parents know who will be around their children, ask whether staff or volunteers undergo background checks and understand the rules surrounding children being left alone with adults.
Both experts stressed that child-safety conversations should not begin only after something goes wrong. Regular conversations about a child’s experiences can make it easier for them to speak up if something ever makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
