SafeParent: New app helps detect child abuse

The app helps parents to learn about the 'red flags'

WASHINGTON: A new software created by app developers could now help parents keep a check on child abuse

'SafeParent' is the app which conducts a quiz enabling parents to speak to their children about sex abuse in a comfortable manner.

"The app ensures that most children are groomed before they are at the threat of being sexually abused," its developer Jeff Herman, child advocate and attorney for victims of sexual abuse, was quoted as saying on www.hlntv.com.

The grooming process follows typical patterns that can be identified as "red flags".

"After representing hundreds of victims of sexual abuse, it became readily apparent to me that many kids can be protected from sexual abuse if their parents recognised these 'red flags' and responded," Herman said.

He added that it is not enough to simply teach our children about the differences between good touch and bad touch.

The quiz contains a series of questions regarding "red flag" behaviour about an adult in their child's life with the answers being weighted and based on the statistics relating to the seriousness of the "red flag."

After the quiz is completed, the SafeParent meter scores your answers and calculates a concern score ranging from low to immediate threat.

The app makes it more important to learn about what a 'red flag' is and whether they are present in your child's life, than the score of the quiz.

"If someone makes you uncomfortable, do not ever let that person alone with your child," Herman said.