Program Teaches Children’s Self-Defense

Every parent’s worst fear is that his or her child may be a victim of an assault or rape. However, Clark Memorial Hospital is taking action to teach children in Southern Indiana how to defend themselves in certain situations.

On Saturday, June 16, Clark Memorial is hosting a self-defense program for kids ages of 7 to 12 called Elf Defense. Elf Defense is a collaborative effort by Clark Memorial and the Communities Against Rape (CARe) initiative that teaches children how to protect themselves from perpetrators. The class is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Conference Center.

“The course teaches children how to respond in a dangerous situation,” says Debbie Browning, women’s health coordinator for Clark Memorial Hospital. “Children work one-on-one with their peers and the workshop staff learning defense maneuvers to escape from strangers and how to be a tough target.”

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, juveniles make up 12 percent of all crime victims known to police, including 71 percent of all sexual assaults and 38 percent of all kidnapping victims. Since July 1999, Clark Memorial Hospital’s Children’s Sexual Assault Services has served 112 children and their families.

For more information or to register, please call Debbie Browning at 284-3754.

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