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I was only recently introduced to the idea of how it feels to be responsible for kids when there are molesters around.

Working in Victoria this summer, we'd take the kids to the beach on Fridays. I'd go into the same kind of alert/survival mode as when I was in central San Salvador or Guat City... but that was easier because then I only had myself to protect, not 15 annoying children.

First I'd prepare them by telling them that if any creepy people made them feel uncomfortable, to scream as loud as they could and run to us. We also paired them up in buddy units.

Then I'd commandeer the highest part of the playground (it was the smoke stack of this big 'ship') and I'd go through a head count of my kids while at the same time assessing the threat level from the surrounding crowd. Big lady with dog and little kids - threat level green. Single guy walking around alone who normally shouldn't have any reason to be at a playground - threat level red. Then when I got to the end of my head count I'd start again, sometimes for the whole hour and a half. All this while mediating playground fights, helping kids get over the 'hard parts' of the playground and deflecting inquisitive members of the public.

It was exhausting, but all in all was an effective strategy - we didn't lose one kid, and only injuries were minor scrapes and bruises.