Project S.A.F.E. shield has been created by Kraig Hollingworth, the Regional Director of Young Champions of America, Inc. Young Champions is one of the first martial arts organizations to integrate safety awareness into their curriculum over 20 years ago!

After watching the live new cast of the kidnapping and killing of Carlie Brucia, which was caught on security video, Mr. Hollingworth was shocked and heart broken. The video had shown a man approaching Carlie, the man engaging a conversion, the man grabbing Carlie's wrist, the man and Carlie walking off together. If only Carlie knew a few safety awareness rules and self-defense techniques, this tragedy may have been prevented. Mr. Hollingworth vowed that he would design an A-Z child abduction course, to help prevent future abduction tragedies.

Project S.A.F.E. shield is designed to be completely integrated into any martial art curriculum or to be taught as a stand alone program. The entire course is designed to be taught in 6 lessons. The course has been designed to enforce safety skills through fun interactive lesson plans.

Introduction Content

What are the risks to your child?

How to talk to your child

Family rules for parents

Safety by ages

Sample of Saftey by Ages

AGES 2-4

• Teach your child his/her first and last name, address and telephone number.

• Teach your child how to dial “911” or “0” for an emergency. You may pre-program a telephone with an emergency number so the child only has to remember to dial one digit.

• Does your child know your first and last name? Most children only know mommy and daddy. Also many parents today have a last name that is different from their child’s.

• Tell your child that if ever you cannot pick them up from daycare, you will tell the teacher who will come to get them. Teach your child to always check with the teacher before leaving with anyone else.

• Your child may become lost in a department store or shopping mall. Teach your child to never leave the store. Teach your child that the people who stand at the cash register and take money work for the store. Teach your child that these people are trained to help them when they are lost.

AGES 4-7

• Reinforce how to make an emergency phone call. Teach your children how to talk to emergency personnel, so that dispatch can send the right authorities. “My house is on fire.” “My mommy fell and can’t get up.” “Stranger Danger is trying to get in my house.” Keep important numbers and your current address by the telephone.

• Establish a family password to be used if you send someone other than yourself to pick your child up at school or another activity. Teach your child if the person does not know the password, he/she should not go with that person.

• Expand your child’s awareness of others who are available to help them in a crisis; for instance, their teacher or a police officer.

• Tell your child if they are ever threatened, to speak in a loud voice or scream to draw attention to the situation.

• Begin to make them aware of their surroundings. “I see a fire station, do you?” “How many fire extinguishers do you see in this building?”

• Teach your child to notice license plates and makes of cars. Explain to your child that other states have different colored license plates. Tell your child that police can find stranger danger by license plate numbers and car descriptions.

• Teach your child how to use the buddy system.

AGES 7-10

· Children at this age should be able to use a pay phone and make a collect call.

· Introduce the idea of safe havens.  Drive the route to school and point out places your child might find help if help is needed.  “I know these people.  Go there if you are afraid, they will know who you are.”

· At this age, children are aware of violence.  Always allow your child to talk about their fears.

· Teach your children to be calm and never panic in an emergency.

AGES 10-14

· Children at this age will be developing independence.  Tell them you know they may break some rules from time to time, but teach them to evaluate situations so their safety is not compromised.  For instance, you have told your child never to take a short-cut through the woods and a friend wants your child to break the rule.  Ask your child if he/she thinks two friends would be safe, or would four be better?

· Sometimes a child will do something that makes you angry, maybe something as serious as drinking.  Tell your child that his/her health and safety are the most important things to you.  Tell them if they ever need to talk that you are free 24 hrs.  Also explain to them that if they are in trouble, they should call.  You will come get them -- no questions asked.  Save discussion until a 24-hour cooling-off period.

· Children these ages often baby-sit and have the responsibility of young children in addition to their own safety.  Tell your child to call you with any concerns.

AGES 14-18

· Work hard in keeping lines of communication open.  Saying something simple like, “Let’s talk about it,” or “I have faith you will do the right thing,” can do a lot to reinforce trust.

· Talk to your children about alcohol and drugs.  Reinforce that their health and safety are the most important things to you.  Tell them that if they are ever in trouble, they can call you.  You will come and pick them up -- no questions asked.

· Respect your teen’s privacy, but set limits, such as a reasonable curfew time.

· It is very important to know who their friends are.  You should know their first and last names, addresses and phone numbers. Keep current with their schedules for extracurricular school activities and after-school jobs.  Ask them to call if their routine changes.