Yes times have changed and no, I don't let my five year old walk across the street to the neighbors house alone. But these are not new crimes. While I was never abducted or assaulted, I did have a very scary situation happen to me while at a very public place when I was about 6 or 7. I was at the greyhound race track in Vermont with my father and a few of his friends. I was the only child along. I remember it was a three story building. Seems we were on the top floor in some sort of a clubhouse, second floor was empty and bottom floor was betting windows, vendors,etc.
Well, I was going up and downstairs with the adults but as the evening wore on (and as the adults probably drank) I began to wander around. I was in between the poplulated floors, on the stairwell when an older man, complete stranger, grabbed me by the arm. Somehow, I remember breaking free and running fast as possible back up to the 3rd floor and telling all the adults and I vaguely remember a small manhunt for the guy.
In all these years, until recently, I have never thought about what could have happened to me that evening. More than likely that man was a repeat sex offender, maybe a murderer. He had the perfect opportunity and place. I was very lucky. I don't think these crimes are new. I think we are much more aware.