George Manoli Inc
  • FR
  • EN
  • Courses
    • Karate & Jiu-Jitsu Club
    • Self-Defense for Women & Teens
    • Anti-bullying for Children & Teens
    • Street Smart Kids
    • Private & Small group Training Sessions
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Accomplishments
  • Media
    • Articles
    • Photos
  • Downloads
  • About Us
    • The Director
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
Home » Articles » Street Smart » Street Smart: Lessons Well learned – May 1998

Street Smart: Lessons Well learned – May 1998

FRANCOIS SENECAL-TREMBLAY JR.: Special to The Gazette – May 7, 1998

The final Street Safe Kids class ends. Diplomas are handed out to smiling children. Parents sigh in relief knowing that they can sleep in next weekend. Time for a recap.

Violent criminal abductions of children by strangers make up less than one per cent of reported sexual-abuse cases. Between 60 and 80 per cent of reported child sexual-abuse cases are committed by someone the child knows. or gets to know. So why street proof your children against strangers?

Imagine being 14, but you look like a 12 year old, taking a bus between two cities.

A stranger sits besides you. He is polite, sociable; certainly not a threat. He snoozes off. His hand touches your leg. It seems to want to crawl onto your lap. Impossible, the “nice” means sleeping.

That “uh,oh!” feeling grips you in the pit of your stomach, but you don’t know what to do. You are sitting between the window and the man. You can’t escape.

You are confused, unsure. Nobody warned you that things like this could happen. You improvise. You pile your bag and jacket between the “sleeping” stranger and yourself; placing your arm over the barrier to anchor it into place.

You can’t wait to get off that bus, but you still have at least a hour to go,

Now imagine the return trip. You sit by a win” dowand to your horror the same stranger appears, smiles and again sits beside you.

‘Terror sets in, but just a little wiser you immediately build that wall and wait nervously to get out of that bus.
This happened to John (not his real name) many years ago.

Had he been more street smart John thinks he might have reacted more dynamically, more assertively: changed seat, confronted the man, or “woke” him up.

As a parent, you might be concerned that the course’s street proofing simulations – which made some parents and children cry – might make your children fear all social interaction outside the house.

Luc Morin, director of psychiatry at Rivieredes-Prairies Hospital, says, “There is a myih that . the smallest of things can traumatize a child. It is probably false. What is truly traumatizing for children is the repetition of hurtful events.

RESPONSE BY PARENTS

“Isolated incidents, even if they are heavily emotionally charged, and certainly if the environment in which they occur offers support, do not seem to leave scars. The response to the trau• ma (by parents) is as important as the trauma itself. ”

Even though most parents found some elements of the course emotionally difficult, all those asked said they would recommended it to other parents. They would even like their daughters to take date-rape and self-defence courses when they are older.

The children were asked if “the course was fun and worth taking?” They all responded yes. Asked if they “like the simulations’!” Half said yes. Half were uncertain. The biggest complaint was about homework — “too much!”

Mabyn Armstrong, director of prevention at the Missing Children’s Network, describes these tn:le of courses as “mental skid control” for children.

John knows a little mental skid control is better than none at all.

  • For Street Safe Kids, call – 514-328-4683

 

Related Images:

Parents preparing for the stand up portion of our class. Bully-proofing and karate class for parents and children. Beaconsfield Recreation Centre. Dec. 2017. Beautiful to see all these hard working kids and parents. We develop an 'Attitude' based training backed by technical knowledge of what to do if bullied. Bully-proofing and karate class for parents and children. Beaconsfield Recreation Centre. Dec. 2017. Beautiful to see all these hard working kids and parents. We develop an 'Attitude' based training backed by technical knowledge of what to do if bullied. Sensei Manoli guiding his young students. Parents learn and encourage the children in the class. Bully-proofing and karate class for parents and children. Beaconsfield Recreation Centre. Dec. 2017. Beautiful to see all these hard working kids and parents. We develop an 'Attitude' based training backed by technical knowledge of what to do if bullied. Sensei Manoli guiding his young students. Parents learn and encourage the children in the class. Bully-proofing and karate class for parents and children. Beaconsfield Recreation Centre. Dec. 2017. Beautiful to see all these hard working kids and parents. We develop an 'Attitude' based training backed by technical knowledge of what to do if bullied. Sensei Manoli guiding his young students. Parents learn and encourage the children in the class.
February 13, 2019 George Manoli

Related Posts

  • Anti-Bullying Apex Media – Mar 2013
    Anti-Bullying Apex Media – Mar 2013March 16, 2013
  • Street Smart: Teaching kids to be street smart – Aug 2007
    Street Smart: Teaching kids to be street smart – Aug 2007August 30, 2007
  • Bullying: Dealing with Bullies – Apr 2001
    Bullying: Dealing with Bullies – Apr 2001April 25, 2001

Popular Posts

  • Karate: Defence, Discipline & the Drive of Karate – Mar 1980
    Karate: Defence, Discipline & the Drive of Karate – Mar 1980March 7, 1980
  • Karate: Karate Key to Equality – May 1980
    Karate: Karate Key to Equality – May 1980May 2, 1980
  • Assault prevention: Learn self defence by using techniques – Jan 1983
    Assault prevention: Learn self defence by using techniques – Jan 1983January 24, 1983

Our Photos

Congratulations to Francis, Nozhen & Emily for moving up the ranks in their Karate & Jiu-Jisu training. Royal West Academy, April - 2025. Awesome group of women, a force to reckon with Royal West Academy, April - 2025. Awesome group of women, a force to reckon with La Havre high school, April - 2025. Great job done by all! www.manoli.ca La Havre high school, April - 2025. Great job done by all! www.manoli.ca Mirabel Koshiki karate tournament. March 22, 2025. Eight of our club members participated in this hard contact karate tournament. Our students brought back 6 medals. JAVIER (Gold in fighting - adult, yellow / orange belt), VLAD (Silver in fighting - adult, yellow / orange belt), ANNE (Bronze in fighting - women's open division, all belts combined), FRANCIS (Silver in fighting - adults, white / Yellow), EMILY (Silver in fighting - children, yellow / orange belt), NOZHAN ( Silver in Kata - children, white / yellow). Bravo! Hard work pays off as always.

Upcoming Events

  • No Events

George Manoli Inc.

(438) 392-4683

gmanoli*videotron.ca

Follow Us

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on YouTube

Login

  • Lost Password
Copyright ©2020 George Manoli Inc. All Rights Reserved.