To think that there isn't a child rapist hiding round every corner

[Reallytired]

Ofcourse tragedies like the murder of Sara Payne or Holly Wells or Jessica Jackson do happen. It is the fact that these terrible events are so rare that they make national news.

However I think many parents have the risk out of proportion. The chances of a child being murdered or sexually abused by someone they know is far higher than them being kidnapped, raped and murdered by a stranger.

Roads are far more dangerous, but if children aren't ever allowed to cross quiet roads on their own they will never learn.

I know someone who drives a secondary school aged child to school because she feels that eleven is too young to start being independent. Her eleven year old daughter is allowed less independence than my seven year old son. I would not allow my seven year old son to walk to school on his own, but has walked to the letter box on his own. (Ie. with me spying on him in secret)

I think she is emotionally stunting her daughter's growth.

It's worth bearing in mind that the reason we're all shocked and horrified by the cases mentioned in the OP is that they are covered extensively in the press because they are rare events. I'm not trying to suggested that they aren't awful and tragic, just that we remember them because they are rare. I haven't had to consider how much freedom to give DD yet cos she's only 1 but I think it's very difficult for any parent to strike the right balance between protecting your child yet giving them independence they need to prepare themselves for adult life.

Sadly, our children are still (statistically) far more likely to be killed or harmed by someone they know.

YANBFUR. The chances of your child being abducted are no more real nowadays that 100 years ago. xxxx

yes eve, since 1945, the number of children abducted and murdered by total strangers remains the same - about 50 per year. But according to our risk-averse society there is a murderous monster at every turn.

society is definately directed by tabloid media.

well, it's not me buying it - so it must be you

Where we live childre have to travel to secondary school on 2 service buses and then walk the last 1/2 mile of so (a 45 minute journey) from age 11 .The LEA obviously consider chidre of that age should be mature and independent enough to cope.

My 7 yr old DD walks to school with her 10 yr old brother (although we only live a few hundred yards away)