A 'rad'-ical idea: Self-defense for kids

A group of local children learned how not to become victims -- they become radKIDS.

Resist Aggression Defensively or what is more commonly known as "radKIDS," began in 1998, has reached thousands of children in North America, and now the Connellsville area.

The program has been featured on "America's Most Wanted" and "The Today Show," and has documented more than 150 successes in the prevention of violence and harm to children.

The five-day program teaches children ranging in ages from 5 to 7 and 8 to 12 how to protect themselves from abductors, bullies, child abusers, sexual assaulters and manipulators.

Locally, Don Witt, a certified radKIDS instructor, conducts the program.

"We empower the kids," said Witt, of Connellsville. "We don't teach them to fight adults."

What Witt does teach the children is how to distract an attacker so they can escape.

Witt said 85 percent of abductors start by grabbing the wrists of children.

Witt teaches the children what to do -- hit the abductor's wrist a number of times and yell "no" with every hit. Kick a shin or groin so the abductor lets go or is scared off. And then run away.

Other tips Witt shares with children and parents include: Run in place if someone picks you up so the abductor is being kicked. Use elbows and knees as weapons. The elbow is the hardest bone in the human body. Thrust it at the abductor, he said.

"Never give up. Yell loud, hit hard and run fast," he added.

Not only does the radKIDS program show children how to be safe from a physical emergency, it also provides the children information about contacting 911 in an emergency, escape routes, what to do if someone offers them drugs or alcohol, and other basic, everyday safety tips.

Witt said the important thing for the children to know is not to be frightened.

For example, he teaches them what to do if their mother gets lost in a grocery store.

Jill Kimberlin, of Dunbar, a parent who attended a recent demonstration at the Dunbar Borough Elementary School, had no idea Witt would bring so much information to the children. She liked the fact that Witt taught the program on the child's level -- "so that they could understand. He goes out of his way to help these kids," Kimberlin said.

Witt said children who receive a certificate for completing the class can attend future programs, free of charge, until they reach the sixth grade. The initial class charge is a one-time only fee of $30.

Witt said he'll soon be certified to teach the rape aggression defense course for women only.

For more information on radKIDS or the rape aggression defense for women, contact Witt at 724-626-0186 or visit www.radKIDS.org