Parent guide

PARENT GUIDED

Parent & Caregiver Engagement

Walking Wise® encourages parents, grandparents, and other caregivers to take charge of their child’s education. It’s Walking Wise’s mission to help you hold candid conversations about sexual exploitation and abuse. The goal is for your child to recognize unsafe adult behaviors and come to you for guidance and protection.

“Upon completing the Unsafe Adult, Grooming, and Sextortion lessons, my granddaughter said,

‘I bet I’m the only kid who knows this stuff in my entire school!’”

Engaged Grandmother

Moving Beyond Stranger Danger

The concept of "Stranger Danger" is no longer widely promoted because it can create a false sense of security and does not reflect the modern realities of child exploitation and abuse. Research shows that most predators are not strangers but rather individuals the child knows and trusts—such as family members, friends, and authority figures.

Today's approach focuses on empowerment through education, teaching children to recognize unsafe behaviors rather than fearing unfamiliar faces. By fostering open conversations, developing critical thinking skills, and encouraging kids to trust their instincts, we help them identify and respond to potential dangers more confidently.

This shift ensures that children feel empowered to speak up, seek help, and understand that everyone—not just strangers— must respect their boundaries.

Walking Wise is recommended for adolescents,

11 and up, with parental guidance for younger children.

THE GROOMERS

Myths & Reality

Trustworthy vs. Adult

Grooming Process

Pornography Link

THE VULNERABLE

Sextortion Scheme

Male Victims

Runaways as Targets

Rural Risks

THE PREDATORS

Human Traffickers

Female Recruiters

Family Secret

Hidden Buyers

disclosure of abuse

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) instructs parents to “Always affirm that you believe your child and will do everything you can to protect them from harm.” If your child discloses sexual abuse, parents should take action, such as contacting the child’s pediatrician, a local child advocacy center, or a child protection service agency.

For more information, visit the AAP's website at HealthyChildren.org

In addition, if there are any suspicions of child sex trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit HumanTraffickingHotline.org

You may also contact Rescue America at 833-599-FREE (3733).

Report Suspicions of Human Trafficking to:

National Human Trafficking Hotline

Send a Text to 233733 (BEFREE); 1-888-373-7888

Rescue America

833-599-FREE (3733)

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