(no subject)

[the_rck]

Yesterday, 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.

Comments

[branchandroot]

That's definitely something you can and should report to the police. Doing that to an adult is stupid and skeevy. Doing it to a child, most of whom cannot pull away and kick him in the shins (or sock him in the chops) is /way/ past skeevy and well into pedophile/abuser/criminal territory. It is not too late to call (though they may try to scold you about not calling sooner; ignore that).

It might help Delia to feel safer if the police /are/ involved, if she sees them and tells them about it, and they can assure her they'll be watching. Depends on how much "the police are our friends" she's picked up so far.

[the_rck]

I did call. They didn't scold me for not calling sooner (for which I'm grateful). The police officer was disappointed that I didn't run out to try to get a look at the guy myself, but I pointed out that some time passed between Delia coming in and Delia telling me and that Delia started crying.

[gemais]

That isn't normal. I think reporting and warning people would be right. It wouldn't be surprising if you find out about similar incidents if you start talking to people.

[the_rck]

I did end up calling. Nobody I've talked to so far has anything similar to report, but I haven't yet talked to many people.

[loligo]

I agree, call the police; if there's a pattern forming, your data point could be really useful.

I'm sorry such a creepy thing happened to Delia!

[the_rck]

I did end up calling. Thanks for the encouragement.