Helping kids protect themselves

Helping kids protect themselves
10:40 AM EDT on Monday, April 9, 2007
http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-040907-jmn-DBAV-kids_protect.58efd0a.html

By DAN STARKS / WCNC
E-mail Dan: DStarks@WCNC.com

Hundreds of thousands of kids are reported missing every year in the United States and a new program is working to help children look out for themselves.

On average, more than 2,000 kids are reported missing each day. A new program called radKIDS is working to empower kids to protect themselves. The Mecklenburg Medical Alliance sponsored the training in Charlotte. About two dozen adults are now certified radKIDS instructors here in Mecklenburg County. They will take their training to schools and community organizations, teaching kids.

Steve Daley travels around the country as a trainer for radKIDS teaching adults to teach kids.

“Basically you don't have to think about it and because it is instinctive, the mindset is the most important part that a child understands is that no one has the right to hurt them, and then we add the physical skill and it actually happens almost automatically,” he said.

Making it instinctive is the program's biggest asset according to Daley.

“Instead of 'help me help me' it's 'how dare you touch me,'” he said.

So far Daley said more than 30 radKIDS have saved themselves from abduction, but we may never really know how many kids they've helped.

“Most radKIDS escape before the abduction starts. Its a bad day when the bad guy grabs you,” said Daley.

For more information on the self-defense training for kids, contact the Mecklenburg Medical Alliance.

Safety tips for kids

Bad people come in a variety of forms, to a stranger looking for a lost puppy, to a stranger approaching them in an automobile.

Your child’s best strategy is to keep some distance between themselves and any stranger.

Your child should learn how to make as much noise (drawing attention) as possible.

Teach your child that it’s OK to strike a stranger if the person puts a hand on them. They should learn how to strike with their feet, elbows, hands and even their head.

They should learn to run to safety…not away from danger. Teach them what a safe place is and how to “choose the shoes”.

There will be programs starting soon addressing these issues through a course called radKIDS.

Watch video at http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-040907-jmn-DBAV-kids_protect.58efd0a.html