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8 year old Sexually Assaulted While Alone
By Amy Wood
Monday, January 29, 2007
8 years old. Tricked and Raped.
That’s what police say happened to a little girl in Mauldin, who was waiting at home for a ride to her babysitter. It is a painful heartbreaking reminder to any parent that leaving children alone, even for a matter of minutes can put them in grave danger.
South Carolina’s DSS says 8 and under is too young. They have internal guidelines, that say so. But there is a gray area too, when it comes to the 8 to 12 year olds. Nationally the experts say 12 is the magic number when a child can be considered mature enough to handle being home alone. And that’s not to say that all 12 year olds will be ready.
You can read guildlines from the experts here.
So many families are in a catch 22. They have to have a job. And sometimes they can’t afford babysitters and after school programs. DSS says they know many children in our area are home alone and in danger.
So what are your thoughts? Join the conversation below. I’ll see you on the CW at Ten.
Amy Wood
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COMMENTS
I think 8 years old is too young to be left alone but I also understand the need to do so. If you have to leave your child alone, have a code that only the family and babysitter know. Something random..not like what’s the family dog’s name because someone could overhear that if they’ve been stalking your child/house/whatever. Practice with your children! Tell them you are going to the store for a few minutes and then hang around down the block or wherever and see what they do. Knock on the door without telling them who you are and see how they respond.
Bush is forever saying that democracies do not invade other countries and start wars. Well, he did just that. He invaded Iraq, started a war, and killed people. What do you think? Why has bush turned our country from a country of hope and prosperity to a country of belligerence and fear.
What happened to us, people? When did we become such lemmings?
The more people that the government puts in jails, the safer we are told to think we are. The real terrorists are wherever they are, but they aren’t living in a country with bars on the windows. We are.