According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention more than 70% of reported sexual abuse cases involve juveniles. Few of the cases involve strangers. Cops say Thomas Gleason abused teenage boys on the popular BMX team he coached. Frequently, these types of crimes leave the victim with the feeling that the consequences of reporting the crime outweigh allowing the abuse to continue. Most victims don’t want to face the shame of admitting what happened. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children suggests that parents and guardians should choose opportunities or “teachable” moments to reinforce safety skills. They say if an incident occurs in your community, and your children ask you about it, speak frankly but with reassurance. Explain to your children you want to discuss the safety rules with them so they will know what to do if they are ever confronted with a difficult situation. Make sure you have “safety nets” in place, so your children know there is always someone available to help them. Continue reading When Someone You Know Abuses Your Teen »

Amid signals that the national economy may not have yet hit bottom, many Americans are finding themselves in dire financial straits, and it can be frustrating as you struggle to care for your family.

Bad credit history can keep you from getting a loan, a home, or even a job. You might see ads on TV, in the newspaper, or online with offers for credit repair services, which can be very tempting.

These ads promise to get you through bad credit, bankruptcy, or maybe a bad loan, but beware. There is no quick fix to repair credit issues, and you might even find yourself in more trouble if you fall for one of these scams. Continue reading Outsmart Scammers: Don’t Fall Prey To A Credit Repair Scam »

An emergency can happen to your family at any time. Whether an accidental fire in your home, or as a result of a natural disaster in your area, you could be forced to evacuate, or you could be trapped at home. If you were to lose power, water, or your phone service, would you know what to do? Emergency workers will respond to a scene after a disaster, but depending on the scale they may not be able to reach your family right away. Continue reading Does Your Family Have An Emergency Plan? »

With just a few more weeks of summer left, many Americans will take advantage of the sun by hitting the beach, or soaking up the sun outdoors. If you are going to be spending time under the warm sun, it’s always important to remember to protect your skin. More than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer (Melanoma) each year in the United States.

The exact cause is unknown, but a major contributing factor in developing melanoma is ultraviolet (UV) light damaging the skin. Some of the factors that put you at risk include a fair complexion, age, having several moles, and a history of serious sunburns. Continue reading Protecting Yourself Against Melanoma »