You think that the media has something to do with your fear?
It's my understanding that crimes like child kidnapping etc are no higher today then in the past. Just nationally reported these days.
Probably we do know more about crimes against children because of the media reports, but I really suspect there are more people who would commit such crimes than there were in past also. It strikes me that their behavior is fueled by the ready availability of child pornography. Certainly there is a connection between the two right here in our (otherwise very crime-free) little town. The police do a regular sting operation that lures child predators here. Many of those apprehended have been regarded as respectable citizens, but most have been found to have been accessing child porn on their computers.
I have in my neighborhood 8 convicted sexual predators. There have been two drive-by shootings since I have lived here. No way do I allow my kids out.The perception is pretty much based on reality here.