Your Child Matters
Welcome to the Protecting Innocence website. My name is Diane Obbema. During my 12 years as a police detective, I investigated over 300 cases of child sexual abuse. I have a unique understanding of this crime, its victims, and its perpetrators.
Whether you are a mother, father, aunt, grandparent, teacher or childcare professional -- you have a child you love. Tragically, in today's world there are daily reminders of innocent children being molested. Like you, I want to take an active role to prevent any harm coming to the ones I love.
To help you, I have written the book Protecting Innocence. It will teach you how to discuss sexual safety with your child in a tactful, age-appropriate way to maximize his or her safety.
This book will help you…
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Make critical choices for protective boundaries around your child.
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Be comfortable in parent-child conversations about private parts.
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Teach respect for their bodies and to expect respect from others.
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Ease your children’s fears and build stronger confidence.
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Recognize red flags indicating inappropriate interest in your child.
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Understand a child's heart and mind when pressured by someone.
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Build a trust that encourages your child to confide in you.
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Learn 10 ways to be a more approachable parent.
Let me know how you liked the book! Anyone who loves a child will benefit
from reading Protecting Innocence.
Child Sexual Abuse Facts
• 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be molested before their 18th birthday.
• 93% of sexual assaults against children are committed by someone the victim knew.
• The typical sexual predator will assault 117 times before being caught.
• The re-arrest rate for convicted child molesters is 52%
• In 80% of all non-family abductions, the first contact occurs within a quarter mile of the child’s home.
• A child is reported missing every 40 seconds, and one in four of these are abducted and molested.
Source: Dept of Justice, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children