Daughter's 14. It's dark outside. There are five registered sex offenders living and working within one mile of where we live. Crime statistics are very low in our area - 1 rape or violent crime in the last five years.

We would walk our children to the bus-stop in elementary school - at middle school we let them go. Now that our oldest is in high school, wife is worried.

I'm not worried - but I wonder if I'm being stupid. I'm not sure my 14 year old can protect herself. And in more population-dense areas - I will absolutely instruct her to make sure she walks in numbers, and not late at night. Healthy precaution.

I don't think it's a good idea to have to walk my daughter to the bus-stop in high-school because I reinforce the idea that she's a victim waiting to happen. I want her to carry herself without fear but with understanding.

Yet, isn't she? Having gone to the sexual assault registry in our area was jarring. That nice clerk at the corner store is on the list for child porn. Shit, I'll never look at him the same way again.

Or maybe before I let her loose, I need to train her with some self-defense classes.

Curious - how are you guys dealing with this? Are you worried? Are you not worried? Why? Why not? Are we really worried about the very small chance our daughters will get raped in the morning waiting for the bus-stop? Or do we let fear rule our lives? Or are we simply being prudent?

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