Yes, it's summer again.And while that means sunshine, freedom, and fun for childrenāit also means something very different for predators. For those w
Yes, it’s summer again.
And while that means sunshine, freedom, and fun for childrenāit also means something very different for predators.
For those who harm children, this season is prime opportunity.
No more school bells.
No more steady supervision.
No more consistent eyes on our babies.
Children are here, there, and everywhere. And predators are watching.
š§ āCan I Go to My Friendās House?ā
Letās talk about what that question really means during the summer:
āCan I go to Janeās?ā
Jane is visiting for the summer.
Her aunt? Lives with a convicted child molester.
You donāt know that.
But your child is still going over there.āCan I go to Markās house?ā
Mark seems like a sweet teen.
But heās already on the registry.
Heās been caught harming another child before.āGrandma signed me up for the church camp!ā
Grandma trusted the man who runs it.
Heās from the neighborhood. From the church.
Heās also a registered sex offender.
This isnāt fearmongering. This is pattern recognition.
This is what happens when no one is watching.
šThis Summer, Please Ask:
Do you know where your child is going?
Do you know who lives there?
Have you checked the sex offender registry for that address?
Are the adults watching your child truly safe? Or just familiar?
š§ Protective Adult Checklist for the Summer
At Rosas Children, we believe every adult who wants to keep kids safe can start here:
1. Look Up Every Location
Not just where you liveāwhere your child is visiting, sleeping over, or spending hours unsupervised.
Use the official sex offender registry for every zip code your child will touch.
2. Talk About the RulesāClearly
No secrets.
No closed doors with adults or older kids.
No adult or teen ever needs to “help you” in the bathroom or dressing room.
If it doesnāt feel right, you can say NO and tell me everything.
3. Update the Whole Village
Grandma, Dad, Auntie, Babysitter, Camp Leaderāeveryone helping you this summer should be aware of:
The warning signs of grooming
The rules around physical boundaries
The importance of supervision
If they donāt agree with this? They donāt need to be alone with your child.
šļø The Danger Zones Arenāt Always Obvious
š© Camps
Background checks are not universal. Trust is often assumed.
Double-check. Then check again.
š© Faith-Based Programs
A church is a building. It does not guarantee safety.
Predators use faith settings because people drop their guard.
š© Parks, Pools, Playgrounds
They know where your kids are. Do you know whoās watching them?
š© Shared Custody Visits
Does the other parent know how to check for sex offenders?
Do they vet everyone their child comes into contact with?
š āIs This a Guarantee My Child Wonāt Be Harmed?ā
No. There are no guarantees.
But weāll tell you what is guaranteed:
Predators seek access to children when the watchful adults are distracted.
Most abuse is committed by someone the child knowsāor thinks they know.
Familiarity is not safety. Vigilance is.
š” Donāt Forget Megan
Megan Kanka never made it to her 8th birthday.
Her family didnāt know they lived near three sex offenders.
One of them raped and murdered her.
What her mother didnāt know did hurt her.
We remember Megan by making sure that we do know.
And we act on that knowledge.
š± Rosas Children Exists to Say This Clearly:
Your childās life is not less important because youāre tired.
Because moneyās tight.
Because you’re raising them alone.
Because people will say you’re ādoing too much.ā
You are not doing too much.
You are doing what they canāt do for themselves.
š”ļø Prepare for Summer Like Their Lives Depend on It. Because They Do.
Look up offender registries for every location theyāll go.
Talk to your child in plain languageāevery single week.
Surround them with safe, watched, and vetted adults.
Say no when things feel off.
Remember: Predators hate informed families.
šŖ·
Share if you feel safe and readyāyour voice might be the lifeline a child needs.
And if you do share, remember to cite the messenger. Words carry legacy.
[rosaschildren.com] | [wesurviveabuse.com] | [survivoraffirmations.com]