It is a frightening statistic that one in five girls will be assaulted before she turns 15.
And what is even scarier is that 80 per cent of those attacks will come from someone she knows.
That’s why Gracie Jiu Jitsu Burwood teaches girls and young women how to identify inappropriate behaviour before something should happen.
Girls as young as five can join the Gracie Bullyproof program allowing them to walk away knowing how to interpret the behaviours and intentions of those around them.
Once they turn 13, girls can join the Women Empowered program that more openly talks about sexual assault and other dangers and learn how to protect themselves.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts programs because they teach, first and foremost, to defuse confrontations with words and never to instigate physical aggression.
But also teaches how to use self-defence in real life situations.
“Every class starts with psycho education with a topic, then steps into role plays on how to use voice to report to the person or family members or assert ourselves in front of the bully,” owner Robbie Singh said.
“The last half of the class is the physical side, what actions we can use if we physically have to assert ourselves.”
The key difference is that students at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are taught vocal and physical skills in context of the variety of situations bully can occur in.
“The bottom line is: we will prepare your child to defend themselves against bullies and other dangers without turning them into one,” Mr Singh said.
Gracie Jiu Jitsu Burwood is one of only three certified Gracie Bullyproof program providers in Australia.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Burwood
Unit 2, 5-13 Sinnott St Burwood VIC 3125
Mobile: 0430 154 012
