Name:
Institution:
Lecturer:
Course:
Date:
National Approach on Child Safety Zones
A safety zone for a child is an area set aside for children. It could even be at home or any other public place. If a child is lost or too far from home, they go to these places because they are assured of safety. As they are in these areas, transportation home is provided. The ones at home are used as a playing area since they are safe for children. However, it is advisable to have an adult who is checking on the children as they play. These zones are mostly found in central parks, schools and other public places. If a child is not sure about his or her way home, a safety zone can be of help (Community of health service department, 2002).
Introduction of these zones brought relief to parents, guardians and the whole community. If a child is lost, it is easy to trace them using children safety zones. Before they were introduced, parents dreaded situations when they would lose their children. Today, if such an incident happens, they would just check on the nearest safety zone and contact security for help. It is also convenient when children are in school (Jerry & Bartholomew, 2000). In case they cannot get home, these zones are available to help. However, these safety zones are faced by a few challenges. A determined offender will easily harm children. For example, sex offenders have managed to access these zones and hurt children. The ones situated in homes may be hazardous if not well monitored by an adult. Children may end up doing dangerous activities and hurt themselves. Sensitive activities like swimming need undivided attention from guardians because children could easily drown (Cooner et al, 2004).
One reason why sex offenders attack children is their vulnerability. The safety zones have assisted in reducing this problem. The police arrests any person seen staring at children in a suspicious manner. This has been accompanied by other laws that punish the offenders. One of them is registering with the authorities after a given length of time. This is after they serve their term in prison. Many criticisms have been made about this law. People think that it is a way of making repeat offenders look bad, whereas they have not done any new crime. The numbers of times they register depend on the degree of their crime others understand it by saying this criterion will discourage potential offenders as well as make the culprits reform (Jerry & Bartholomew, 2000).
Children’s safety zones have benefited even the economy through business people. These zones have been put playing equipment like swings, which entertain the children. This equipment is fixed by business people who benefit economically. Apart from playing equipment, the zone needs maintenance after it has been put up. The management hires services from business people. When children are safe, their guardians have peace of mind. Therefore, they become fully productive in their economic practices. It also saves time used in searching for children. Before the safety zones were introduced, more time was used in looking for lost children. This resulted in less production economically (Jerry & Bartholomew, 2000). For example, a sole proprietor whose child is lost has to close down their business to help in looking for the child. Any other business activity brought by the safety zones is a boost to the economy of the country. On the other hand, children’s safety zones can deteriorate the economy. Since they are not fully guaranteed of safety, a loss is likely to occur. When a child is lost, the parent will look for the child until he is found. The time used to could have been utilized at the work place (Community of health service department, 2002).
The law on child safety zones was formed because of the problems experienced by children. They include getting lost, suffering injuries when playing, and abuse from offenders among others. The legislature considered the using safety zones, and there have been improvements. This Act is contained in the children’s law of safety and protection. Children have always been vulnerable to all sorts of abuse. Before this Act was formed, children were neglected, and there was less concern about them. According to the common English law, they were said to be under the father’s care. These beliefs were carried on to United States by the colonialists. People’s minds were changed by a specific incident that happened to a child. News went round that an eight-year-old child was being abused. Her name was Marry Ellen, an orphan. She lived in a foster home where she was assaulted on a daily basis. Lawyers’ society intervened in this matter. They agreed that it made no sense when animal protection was better than that of children (Cooner et al, 2004).
Mary Ellen’s case was presented before a judge, and the mother was sentenced to one year behind bars. After this incident, legal experts took child protection issues into consideration. People became more vigilant in protecting children from any sort of abuse. The medical association supported this movement and educated people about identifying a child abuse case. After ten years, every state had already formed laws that protected children from any kind of abuse and any other dangers (Community health service department, 2002). Today, it is a very big crime to abuse a child in any way. The laws of child abuse protection have been modified through the years. Other segments have been added concerning children’s welfare. For example, right to health care, education and general safety. This is where the child safety zones have been included.
Every person in the state should contribute to ensuring child safety. This is especially in homes and schools. Teachers and guardians should teach children how to be safe. They can do this by encouraging them to play safely and be around an adult when they are at home. In case they lose their way, they should be shown how to seek safety zones and seek for help. The latest strategy used by guardians is wearing a bracelet. When parents and guardians go to the parks or other public places with their children, the children are made to wear these bracelets. They contain the guardian’s contacts and the name of the child. This is a convenient way of helping the security or police to trace the parents. It is a convenient strategy, which applies to children of all ages. The government should continue to increase safety measures for children to eradicate all forms of dangers from them. Those found violating children rights on safety should be penalized heavily (Cooner, 2004).
References:
Berry, J. W., & Bartholomew, (2000). Alerting kids to the danger of sexual abuse. Waco, Tex: Word, Educational Products Division.
Community Health Services Department (County of Lambton). (2002). Be a house detective!: How to protect young children from hazards in the home. Point Edward, ON: Community Health Services Department.
Cooner, S. A., Ford, G. L., Crawford, J. A., Fitzpatrick, K., & Wooldridge, M. D. (2004). Operations and safety around schools: overview of project activities and findings.
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]