PARENTS are urged to be careful of who they allow to transport their children to school.
Brenda Neal, Founder of Montclair Crime Eye (MCE) issued out a warning for parents to know who transports their children and make sure they practise values including safety, caring, honesty and integrity are practiced by them.
Cases of the rape of children while they are in the transporters care are known to happen and parents should always communicate with their children.
Talk to your children.
Make sure your children know they can talk to you.
- Did you check that your child gets to school on time with the school staff?
- Do you ask your child if they went anywhere before or after school while in the transporters vehicle?
- Have you asked your child if they were touched inappropriately by the transporter?
- Have you asked if the transporter asked them to touch them inappropriately?
- Have you asked if one driver only transports them?
- Have they told you if they were ever told to go with an unknown transporter other than the one you pay for?
“Choose your children’s transporter wisely. Don’t choose cheap above safety, caring, honesty and integrity,” said Neal.
Ask yourself:
- If your child doesn’t look well, do you think your transporter will take the time to tell you
- If your child isn’t there after school, will your transporter care enough to find out why?
- If your child is in the transporter’s vehicle and a medical emergency happens, will your transporter get them the help they need?
- Does the transporter overload their vehicle and would you know if they did?
Neal urges parents to familiarise themselves with their child’s transporter. Check if they have a drivers license and public driving permit and where they are registered to operate as transporters. “Check if they have black and white number plates and two discs on the windscreen. Parents should also check if the transporters are insured for any medical expenses should a child be hospitalised or hurt in an accident,” added Neal.
Transporter vehicles must be roadworthy and transporters must be clear of any substance abuse that can endanger a child’s safety. “The safety of your children should be priority number one. Make sure you do thorough checks before entrusting your child’s life in someone else’s care,” added Neal.
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