Tips parents and students can use to make the walk to and from school safer

Victorian children are being preyed on by thieves in frightening numbers as they walk to and from school. Here’s how to protect your child.

Victorian parents are reconsidering whether they should allow their children to walk the streets alone, following a horror after-school abduction that left a “bright” Glen Eira College student with “life-altering” injuries.

A score of parents and guardians have admitted they and their children are on-edge about the morning and after commute, with some students even begging their parents to drive them to school.

While it’s understandable both parents and students are feeling this way, schools, safety advocates and Victoria Police have reassured it’s still safe for young people to make their own way to and from the schoolyard.

Here are some tips both parents and students can use to ensure the commute to school is a safe one.

The scene on Neerim Rd Glen Huntly where a group of thugs who pulled a 14-year-old boy into a car on Monday.

TIPS FOR STUDENTS

Keep your phone out of view

A recent incident at Elwood Secondary College – where a student was robbed by a 20-year-old woman – has prompted assistant principal Todd Asensio to advise students to keep their phone out of view.

“Keep your phone in your pocket or bag out of view, which will reduce visibility of your technology and also allow you to be aware of your surroundings,” he said in an email to students, sighted by the Herald Sun.

Meanwhile, offenders involved in a string of robberies near Glen Eira College have demanded phones from their victims, thus another reason for students to keep their phones and other technology out of view.

Safety in numbers

Students are encouraged to walk or ride in groups as there is safety in numbers.

By commuting with a group, children may notice when one of their friends are missing and it also teaches them accountability.

For students unable to walk in a group, they’re encouraged to walk in public spaces and should try to avoid laneways and parks.

Students are advised to walk in pairs or groups as there is safety in numbers. Picture: Nikki Short

Be aware of your surroundings

Children are encouraged to learn where dangers – such as driveways or unsafe open spaces – may arise on their walk or ride to school.

Additionally, students are reminded they should also be able to hear what’s going on in their surroundings, which can be difficult if they’re using earphones or other similar devices.

“Instead of having two AirPods in each ear, have one, so (you) can hear, (you) can listen, (you can) look up. Don’t be oblivious to your surroundings,” inspector Scott Dwyer, investigation manager for Victoria Police’s southern metro region division, told 3AW.

If approached, ‘don’t be brave’

Naomi Oakley, owner of U-nome security, called on schools to offer personal safety training to students to help them manage unsafe situations and identify potential risks.

“It’s all about knowing your environment, knowing where you can go if you feel unsafe,” she said.

“It’s called situational awareness. Even young students can do a dynamic risk assessment.”

Students should also “observe the characteristics” of those around them.

“Work out when you get on a tram or train the people who look at bit suspicious or who could be aggressive,” she said.

“Think about where you would go or who you could ask for help if something happens.

“If approached, where would you go? If cornered, what would you say?”

Ms Oakley said students must ensure they comply with any demand from a thief, and don’t challenge them in any way.

“Property is replaceable but lives are not,” she said. “Don’t be brave”.

Use designated crossing zones

Mr Asensio reminded students about the importance of crossing the road at designated pedestrian crossings, especially ones monitored by council crossing supervisors.

This will ensure students are being road safe and can limit the risk of getting in the way of a moving vehicle.

Other safe crossings include pedestrian crossings at traffic lights, zebra crossing and crossing when given the green light at level crossings.

Have a safety spot

Parents and their children should pick at least one safety spot along their route to and from school, which students can go to if they feel they are in danger.

Mr Asensio said this may include a reliable neighbour, a shop, another school or adults who are walking with their kids.

“Do not hesitate to call triple-0 to ask for help (and) report any safety concerns to police,” he added.

Students should put their phones out of sight to avoid being targeted.

TIPS FOR PARENTS

Talk to your children about safety

Inspector Dwyer strongly encourages parents to talk with their children about the importance of being safe so they know what to do in the case of an emergency.

“Have a discussion with your children. Be open, make them aware, but temper it with the fact that this doesn’t occur every day,” he said, adding students need to be vigilant.

By having a discussion, Inspector Dwyer said children would feel more inclined to speak to their parents if they feel something is wrong.

Know the route they take to school

Parents are encouraged to learn the route or routes their children take to school, so they know what dangers they could be exposed to and know where to look in the case their child calls them for help.

Another way parents can keep an eye on their children is by using a parental tracking app like Family Tracker or iPhone’s Find My feature so they can see where their child is in almost real-time.

For children too young to have a phone, there are a number of children-friendly watches available to purchase that contain a GPS tracker so parents can see where their kids are.

Parents should speak to their kids to inform them about the dangers on the street. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Have a code word

While it might sound extreme, having a codeword that no one else knows can help parents know if their child is in danger.

For example, a child can text a codeword to let them know they’re at school safely, or alternatively send a different codeword when they feel they are in trouble.

Parents with teenagers are also encouraged to use codewords, even if it’s simply a way for them to let their guardian know they need to be picked up from an unsafe situation.