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Sep. 16th, 2011 02:17 pmYesterday, Delia and I had a bit of a scare. Mine was more after the fact than hers because I only heard about what happened.
After finishing her homework, Delia went outside to play. I was sitting in the dining room because our cleaning lady was working on the living room. After not very long, Delia came back inside and started playing with her dolls on the dining room table. With a lot of uncertainty and hesitation, she told me that a strange man came up to her outside and kissed her hand. She told me that he said something to her that she couldn't understand.
Delia cried. She was scared. She knows that other people aren't supposed to touch her without her permission, and this man did. I think she thought that I'd blame her or be mad at her.
I hugged her and reassured her that she didn't do anything wrong. I told her that she'd done the right thing in telling me and that, if she sees the man again, she should get me or Scott or go to another adult she knows and trusts. I named a few people in the neighborhood.
I felt like I should do more, but I was at a loss as to what. Is a kissed hand something one can report to the police? Is it too late to call the police? Should I warn the other families I know in the area who have girls? Should I encourage Delia to play outside again when she's not feeling safe?
The whole thing is creepy. At best, the man in question has serious judgment problems. Walking up to a child playing along the street and kissing her-- even on the hand-- is not something a reasonable person should do.
After finishing her homework, Delia went outside to play. I was sitting in the dining room because our cleaning lady was working on the living room. After not very long, Delia came back inside and started playing with her dolls on the dining room table. With a lot of uncertainty and hesitation, she told me that a strange man came up to her outside and kissed her hand. She told me that he said something to her that she couldn't understand.
Delia cried. She was scared. She knows that other people aren't supposed to touch her without her permission, and this man did. I think she thought that I'd blame her or be mad at her.
I hugged her and reassured her that she didn't do anything wrong. I told her that she'd done the right thing in telling me and that, if she sees the man again, she should get me or Scott or go to another adult she knows and trusts. I named a few people in the neighborhood.
I felt like I should do more, but I was at a loss as to what. Is a kissed hand something one can report to the police? Is it too late to call the police? Should I warn the other families I know in the area who have girls? Should I encourage Delia to play outside again when she's not feeling safe?
The whole thing is creepy. At best, the man in question has serious judgment problems. Walking up to a child playing along the street and kissing her-- even on the hand-- is not something a reasonable person should do.
