Safe Kids offer from martial arts clubs

Support and advice about bullying and abuse is being made available to young martial arts enthusiasts at the Traditional Shotokan Karate Ryu at Dereham, Fakenham, Swaffham and Watton thanks to an innovative scheme which is the brainchild of the National Association of Karate and Martial Art Schools (NAKMAS).

Support and advice about bullying and abuse is being made available to young martial arts enthusiasts at the Traditional Shotokan Karate Ryu at Dereham, Fakenham, Swaffham and Watton thanks to an innovative scheme which is the brainchild of the National Association of Karate and Martial Art Schools (NAKMAS).

The 'Safe Kids' initiative sees all young participants of the Traditional Shotokan Karate Ryu and NAKMAS's other member clubs offered advice on how to avoid difficult situations and where to seek help if they are being bullied.

All children learning martial arts at the Traditional Shotokan Karate Ryu receive credit-card sized advice cards, providing contact details of organisations which are able to help, as well as giving tips on keeping safe.

The aim of the initiative is to make children better prepared, should they encounter bullying or abuse.

Terry Wittkopp, chief instructor of the Traditional Shotokan Karate Ryu, said: 'While martial arts gives children the confidence to stand up to bullies, they should know that they do not have to face it alone. 'Safe Kids' provides them with advice on where to turn to for professional advice. The initiative is great for the children and helps us to teach the importance of how to deal with bullying and abuse in the right way.'

TSKR is able to visit schools give talks about the Anti Bullying Campaign and show some practical tips on self defence. Terry Wittkopp has a long history of working with abused and bullied children from youth work, to residential care for emotionally challenged adolescents.