In this article, you’ll find three straightforward strategies that your child can use to avoid a potential kidnapper. These self-defense tips are not only easy for kids to grasp but also simple for adults to teach.
Scream Specifics
One of the first lessons from any self-defense instructor is to scream, but simply making noise may not suffice. It’s much more effective to shout something specific rather than just creating a general ruckus.
When kids throw tantrums, they often scream, and people around them typically don’t step in. They usually assume the child is just having a moment while their parents are trying to get them to the car.
If your child yells something clear, like, “I don’t know this person, I’m being kidnapped,” it’s much more probable that someone nearby will pay attention. Even if they can’t step in, they’re likely to remember details about the adult and child, as well as the vehicle they enter.
I’ve heard that when a woman is in a threatening situation or experiencing sexual assault, yelling “fire” can be more effective than shouting “rape.” It seems that people are more inclined to respond to a fire alarm, but I’m not sure why that is or if it’s really true.
Become a Dead Weight
You might notice kids doing this in stores; they simply drop to the floor and refuse to move or go anywhere. While I usually advise against hitting the ground in a street fight, this tactic can actually work well for kids in self-defense, especially when paired with loud screams and kicking at the attacker from that position.
Hit Him Where it Hurts
Kids may not have much strength, but they can definitely inflict pain if they know where to hit. It’s important to teach them about target areas that are not only painful but also easy to reach.
Hitting someone in the eye can be a powerful move, but it’s a really small area to target. Pressure points work similarly. While it’s impressive to know about them, landing a hit on one can be challenging, particularly in stressful situations.
Focus on larger regions like the shins instead. Getting hit there can be quite painful, and since it’s lower down, it makes for a perfect target when your child is using the dead weight technique. The groin is another effective area for the same reasons.
If someone attempts to cover a child’s mouth, encourage the child to bite them. While I usually advise against biting because of potential infections, this situation makes it a necessary option.
Conclusion
When a child is taken, the chances of them getting away significantly decrease. It’s crucial for them to attempt to escape right at the moment of the abduction. The techniques mentioned are simple to grasp and work well, especially when combined together.
You need to prepare your kids for the possibility of an abduction by teaching them three key actions. If someone attempts to take them, they should fall to the ground, shout “I don’t know this person, I’m being kidnapped,” and kick at the person’s shins and groin to defend themselves.