Perhaps the most critical child abuse prevention strategy for parents is good communication with children. Encourage them to share concerns and problems with you.  If you use day care or babysitters, screen your child's caretaker or day care provider.  Make sure you have the right to drop in and visit the program at appropriate times.

Westchester County offers a series of seminars to educate parents on how to protect their children against child molesters.  Entitled "Inoculating Your Children Against Sexual abuse," the program shows parents some important skills they can teach their children to help ward off these predators. Below, you will find the program brochure, slide show and fill-in form to request the presentation to a group.

In cooperation with New York State Attorney General's Office, Westchester County uses a nationally recognized child-finding system called Code Adam in its parks and some public buildings. The New York State Amber Alert Plan is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement, broadcasters and others to immediately involve the public, especially motorists, in the search for an abducted child.