DENVER — A unique class is being offered around the Denver metro area that allows kids to actively learn how to protect themselves against dangerous situations.
The class aims to teach kids to turn scary situations into one of power by using their voices to yell “back away. You’re too close.”
It’s one technique they learned to scare off strangers like attempted kidnappers.
“I want to make sure they are equipped properly to know what to do and how to do it so it doesn’t have to happen again,” said Kate Klusman, mom of three kids.
Kate Klusman enrolled all three of her children ages 12, 10 and 8 in the course because she believes all ages need to be prepared.
“The world’s kind of a crazy place,” Klusman said.
Attempted kidnappings seem to be happening more and more.
Just a couple of weeks ago a girl in Montbello said a man jumped out of the bushes and grabbed her. Luckily she was able to get away.
A similar situation happened to a 15-year-old in Englewood on May 9.
And back in February a student at Arvada West High School also narrowly escaped her abductor.
Instructor Bill Kipp with Fast Defense said teaching kids to get out of these situations means making them think under pressure.
Which is why he tries to scare the kids during the class. “It’s not about muscle strength. It’s about activating that adrenaline and saying I’m going to fight for all I’m worth,” said Bill Kipp, Owner of Fast Defense.
Instructors wearing padded suits allowed kids to practice physically getting away from potential abductors.
It’s this practice that parents believe in the long run will keep their children safe.
“To have it at this age is great. Get them started young,” said Rachel Ellis, mom of a child in the class.
The class also teaches kids how to keep bullies away. Fast Defense offers these classes in the Denver area for children ages 6-12 years old.