We should never have heard of Bruce Morcombe.
He should be running his business on the Sunshine Coast, making ‘Dad jokes’ and helping his sons choose cars.
But we know Bruce, and his wife Denise because their beautiful boy Daniel was abducted and murdered in 2003.
We don’t need to read more about the horrible day, or the eight years of not knowing what happened; or the fresh horror of knowing.
But now that a man has been charged and a trial is imminent, the media will again drip with fear and anger.
But astonishingly, it won’t come from Daniel’s parents.
They’ve taken their grief and turned it something positive, taking to the road for weeks at a time, visiting schools and talking about personal safety.
You’d think if anyone was going to say, ‘Never let your kids out of your sight,’ it’d be them, but no.
Their message is one of community and empowerment. Kids should be able to walk to school, catch buses and go shopping, but they need to be taught how to avoid finding themselves in situations they can’t control.
Thanks to Bruce and Denise and the foundation they set up in Daniel’s honour, Queensland schools will implement a personal safety program in 2012 – and it won’t be about scaring kids and parents witless.
Earlier this week, I contacted the foundation looking for information for this post and was humbled when Bruce called me. Not only is he a grieving dad, he’s a man on a mission, and he sent me a copy of the notes he uses when he and Denise visit schools. From those, and using the information available at the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, www.childsafety.org.au and www.beingsafetysmart.com.au I’ve put together a summary of the Morcombes’ message to our kids:
Our son Daniel did not get a second chance. His legacy is that you can learn from this tragic event and make sure it does not happen again. Daniel has given you that second chance.
1. When you can, stay with a friend. Even if you have a fight with your mate, don’t go off alone.
2. Be observant. Notice who’s around you and what they’re doing.
3. Have a family password. Something like your favourite food – lasagne, for example. If a person says they are meant to pick you up, test them on the password.
4. With your parents, make a list of 5 adults you trust. If you ever feel uneasy about anybody or anything, tell one of these people and know you won’t get into trouble. If you feel you’re not being listened to, try someone else.
5. Don’t share information about yourself, like your hobbies or the name of your school with people you don’t know, online or in real life.
Today is Day For Daniel, a national day of action promoting child safety. All over Australia kids are wearing red to school (Daniel was last seen wearing a red t-shirt) and everyone is being encouraged to talk about child safety. Bruce and Denise are more than figureheads – this has become their life’s work. Thousands of activities are planned, from walks to talks to picnics and bike rides, all designed to educate and empower kids. If you’d like to find out more, or make a donation click here.
Top Comments
When we discussed the "never get in the car with a stranger" issue with our 12 year old daughter, the thing that I made sure I got across was "you don't have to be polite". I think some kids are brought up to be polite and would just feel uncomfortable yelling "go away" at a stranger, so I let her know it's ok to be rude in this situation!
I sincerely hope this little boy Daniel will now finally be allowed to rest in peace. It is fine to run a child safety campaign to alert parents to instruct their children in safety behaviour. Child protection programs have been around in schools for about 30 years. I have personally trained hundreds of teachers and parents in this field. However , I feel quite concerned that one individual childs private tragedy should be used to publically promote a campaign. Lets get back to professional, objective and researched based programs to inform kids and families how to avoid the same fate. My sympathy and best wishes go out to Daniels family, but please let him rest now.
I think the opposite. A stark example with a face behind it makes all the difference. If there a story behind a message we tend to take more notice.
What a strange comment. How is remembering Daniel and promoting Child Safety messages preventing him from "resting in peace" - are you serious? This little boy is dead. He's not resting anywhere. A reminder to be sensible and keep safe isn't stopping anyone from "resting".
Of course protection programmes have been around for years. The Morcombe's have devoted years to promoting sensible and safe measures. I have "liked" their facebook page - I get regular updates on what they are doing and the schools they are visiting - it's an excellent and REGULAR reminder to me as a parent to reinforce these messages with my own kids..... As opposed to letting this job fall to their teachers and schools. A great and effective way to regularly reinforce these messages I'd have thought.
I don't mean to offend but I can't help but think there is some other motivation (funding perhaps?) behind your comments?
I strongly disagree!! Yes... . you are entitled to your opinion as am I. But seriously I hardly think using his tragic death to promote child safety is a bad thing at all. For one it brings peace and purpuse to his poor parents who I might add are still living. Daniel has been gone for quite some time now and I can not imagine his parents quest to stop this from ever happening again using what they can from this tragedy to in some way alter his peace. What the hell is professional, objective and researched based programs anyway?? We all clearly want the same thing don't we? Kids that are educated to stay safe etc. How are they not educating kids, They have more knowledge in this matter than you or your stupid little text book ever will!!!! When anyone experiences great tragedy it is a blessing when they are able to turn the situation around and others are able to learn from it. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to open peoples eyes more than a so called professional program. Professional programs have their place obviously, People like you just really annoy me!! Your comment on please let him rest now...far out you really lack wisdom!!.... I feel quite concerned.... what concern is it of yours anyway?!!! ...concerned about what?!! Concerned that his parents will feel that something good has come from all this, concerned that they have made a huge impact in the community. I for one fully support his parents. They have impacted on me and my family hugely. We will wear red and rally on every Day For Daniel to keep the safety message alive. After all the media hype has faded we want them to know we care still. Last time I checked that's what people do when they care . Prehap's this is a vital thing missing from one of your professional, researched based programs.
I completely agree with you!!!