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An American child sex crimes investigator has revealed the two most common ways predators manipulate children and the best ways to protect children from the tactics.
The mother-of-three said abusers often groom a child by suggesting a “tickle game” or using fear-based tactics, such as threatening to hurt a pet or family member.
Terra Avilla, known as policegirl on TikTok, he advised parents that the best way to protect children is to have conversations with them so they know what is appropriate.
The officer stressed the importance of being a safe place for your son so that he knows that he can talk to you if he is uncomfortable with something.
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American child sex crimes investigator Terra Avilla (pictured) revealed the two common ways predators groom children and the best ways to protect children from the tactics.
The mother-of-three said abusers often groom a child by suggesting a “tickle game” or using fear-based tactics, such as threatening to hurt a pet or family member. She advised parents that the best way to protect children is to have conversations with them so they know what is appropriate and can talk to you.
“These are the two really common things that predators tell kids to get them to obey, listen to them and talk to your kids,” Terra said.
She revealed that the first thing predators tell children is that they are going to play “sort of a tickle game.”
Terra recommends talking with your children to make sure they know that safe adults don’t have secret games and don’t tell you to keep secrets.
“No one should tickle you if mom and dad aren’t there and kids shouldn’t tickle an adult either,” she said.
“No adult should tell a child to tickle them, it’s weird.”
Fear is a second common tactic used by predators.
The officer noted that predators often threaten to hurt a child’s pet, parent or sibling if they disagree with what the abuser wants.
“Have an age-appropriate conversation with your kids so they can come to you no matter what and if someone threatens them, it’s a safe place,” she said.
Children often don’t say anything about the abuse because they are afraid they will get in trouble or not be believed.
Fans love Terra’s informative videos.
I see them with my seven year old son. She loves to listen to you. She takes you seriously. Thank you,” said one mother.
‘We talk a lot about these things in our house. It’s an ongoing open conversation and always has been. I wish the schools could address it too,” said another.
Connecticut-based police previously revealed the five things they would never let their children do to protect them from predators.
He shocked his followers with the risky situations he doesn’t allow his children to get into, including sleepovers and using incorrect terms for body parts.
Her number one rule was that she would never let her children sleep over.
“I feel a lot of hate for this,” he admitted, but explained that it’s too much of a risk because of his experience.
“You don’t know who’s there, or who might sneak in overnight,” he said.
Terra Avilla previously revealed the five things she would never let her children do
Terra’s second pushback was from Snapchat, explaining that many of her sex crime cases stem from predators using the app.
She believes that it is particularly dangerous since its location can be seen when it is used and the children think that the images that are sent will disappear.
“Nothing good comes out of this app,” he said.
Her third rule was that she never let her children hug or kiss people they don’t want, including family members.
Instead, it teaches them that they have the right to consent to people touching them.
“I know it sounds very bad, but it’s their body and if they don’t want to hug goodbye, then they have the right to do it and set limits,” she said.
The rules received so much attention that the police uploaded a second video sharing more rules that she and her family follow.
Terra said that she would never let her children have secrets.
There’s a big difference between having a secret and keeping a surprise. Children need to learn that an outside adult should not tell a child to keep a secret.
She also advised telling children that it’s okay to share a friend’s secret if it will protect them from danger.
His final rule was that he doesn’t allow his children to use “silly names for their private parts.”
Mom advises teaching children the correct name of their body parts, because if something were to happen, it is more difficult for children to explain what happened to the police without the correct terms.
Many parents were delighted to hear the rules, and several have already implemented some on the list, particularly the no sleepover rule.
“No hate on my part, I agree 100% with this list,” said one woman.
“I feel the same way about sleepovers, it will never happen,” another commented.
You are doing everything right! said another.
“Pediatric ER doctor, child safety expert and mom here and I agree with every part of this,” another commented.