The Australian Federal Police ave confirmed that teachers, a child-care centre owner, a nurse, pastor, a counsellor, executives and even police officers have been involved in internet-based crimes against our children. At the time of going to press, 2177 charges had been laid and 214 arrests or summonses were made.

Dismissing the usual stereotype of 'dirty old men', commander of the NSW Child Protection and Sex Crime squad Superintendent Kim McKay described many of those charged is: 'Mr Joe Average. He is married with children and a good job.'

Most of the alleged offenders were, until now, respected members of the community. Many were known to their victims and even loved by them.

And that's exactly why parents are panicking. We've told our kids about stranger danger, but how do we tell them they need to be wary of the people we trust to take care of them?

How do we warn them that it's not just strangers they need to be afraid of, but family and friends who are supposed to love them?

Kylie Newman is a co-founder of MAKO (Movement Against Kindred Offenders), a non- profit organisation Of concerned people who lobby for harsher penalties for sex offenders, and she says no one is safe.

'That's not being alarmist, that's being realistic/she states. 'You can't trust anyone anymore and parents need to be suspicious of anyone who deals with their kids.'

MAKO, which is calling for mandatory and lengthy jail terms for all paedophiles, has has compiled a 1050 convicted sex offenders and has posted it on the internet.

MAKO's website has photographs of some offenders and it has even organised letterbox deliveries to notify more than 60 communities of paedophiles living secretly amongst them. The scary part is, many of the offenders have been found living within 500 metres of schools, kindergartens and playgrounds.

Kylie admits that civil rights campaigners have criticised MAKO's actions as an invasion of privacy but says: 'The human rights of children are more important than the rights of convicted sex offenders. It's criminal for parents not to know.

'Notifying the public about sex offenders and their whereabouts has nothing to do with shaming them; it's about preventing victims and deterring offenders. We are about encouraging parents to be vigilant, not vigilantes.

'There is a high percentage of re-offending among paedophiles and research shows they are unlikely to ever change. We have no doubt we have helped unsuspecting parents keep their children safe.

Director of the Australian High Tech Crime Centre within the Australian Federal Police Mike Phelan says the internet has allowed paedophiles to flourish and increased the availability and acceptance of hard-core child pornography.

'Some people involved in this type of activity do not see the viewing and dissemination of photos to be a crime, but every child pornographic image portrays a real victim and records an act abuse against a child', he says.

New Idea (30-10-2004) - Bronwyn Marquardt -

• Teach your kids sex education. Even toddlers can be told parts of their body covered by bathing suits are private.
• Be open with your kids. Make sure they know they can Tell you anything, even something that will upset you.
• Avoid scare tactics. Explain that while most adults won't hurt them some are dangerous and they must be careful.
• Warn them that it's not just strangers who hurt kids, Sometimes people they love will hurt them, but it's okay to tell you because you will protect them.
• Explain you will never send a stranger to pick them up without telling them, even in an emergency.
• Tell them there should be no secrets, even with adults.
• Never make them kiss or hug anyone they don't want to, including aunties and uncles.
• If they seem scared or uneasy about an adult, ask why.
• Monitor their internet usage, and social and educational lives. Know where they're going and who they're with.
• Don't be complacent Just because someone seems trustworthy doesn't mean they are.
• Talk about paedophiles and discuss scenarios regularly. For example, say: 1f a man asked you to help him take his sick puppy to the vet, or a woman offered you lollies to give her directions, what would you do?'
• Remind them some paedophiles are teenagers, or have women to help them.
• Give them a mobile phone so they can call you at anytime.
• If they do confide in you, believe them.
• Trust your instincts and teach your kids to do so, too.
• If something doesn't feel right, it often isn't.
• If you catch your partner looking at child pornography, or suspect him of being a paedophile, get help.
• Talk to the police, call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000, visit www.mako.org.au or contact the Internet Watch Foundation (www.iwf.org.uk), an organisation that works with governments and telecommunications operators to stamp out illegal internet content.
• You can report child pornography internet sites to the Australian Broadcasting Authority - visit www.aba.gov.au.