18 April 2018 Currents
> continued from page 16 girl talks freely with this stranger , and even tells him where she is going .
The wolf , delighted that he has charmed his intended victim , runs quickly to the grandmother ’ s house . He gobbles up the poor old lady , and puts on her clothes so as to disguise himself . Then he jumps into the grandmother ’ s bed , and eagerly awaits Little Red Riding Hood .
What happens next depends on which version of the fairy tale you read . One has a happy ending where a hunter rescues Little Red Riding Hood , and then kills the big bad wolf . The other has a sad ending where the wolf devours the poor girl , and escapes into the forest .
The Internet has made it easier for sexual predators to find potential victims . Many adolescents spend hours in chat rooms where they strike up friendships with strangers . Online , they have a false sense of security , and even set up real-life meetings with these cyber pals . Like Little Red Riding Hood , they lack the maturity to recognize the dangers , despite warnings from their parents and advice from their teachers .
Today law enforcement agencies have new , sophisticated techniques which can help them identify sexual predators , rescue victims , and bring criminals to justice . Police and community support are , however , not enough to protect young people from the “ big bad wolves ” of the 21st century .
Adolescents and adults must communicate . Young people , especially when they feel ashamed or vulnerable , must not be afraid to discuss their problems and fears with adults . Likewise , adults – be they parents , relatives , friends or teachers – must be willing to talk openly with young people about their concerns . To encourage such exchanges , adults should try to offer moral support and constructive suggestions rather than harsh criticism and judgmental solutions .
The story about Little Red Riding Hood teaches three important lessons . First , sexual predators are nothing new . Second , society has the responsibility to protect children from these unsavory individuals . Third , communication between adolescents and adults can help protect young people from sexual predators .