Scared parents seek self defence classes for teens amid surge in youth attacks

A Melbourne gym teaching self defence skills has been bombarded with inquiries for teen training after a spate of violent attacks on students across Melbourne.

A self defence gym in Moorabbin has had an influx of teen enrolments following a spate of violent attacks on students across Melbourne.

With scores of parents admitting they are frightened for the safety of their children during the school commute, many are turning to alternative education for support.

Dave and Shelle Friedman co-own Krav Maga Australia and Live Safe Education, leading providers of self-defence and personal safety in Melbourne.

Since Monday, Mr Friedman said there had been a massive spike in requests for teen enrolments.

“The number of inquiries I’ve had this week from teens or parents has increased by about 300 per cent compared to normal,” Mr Friedman said.

“Recently what we’re seeing is a surge in violence perpetrated both by, and against, teens – and not just petty crime, but serious and violent crime.”

Shelle and Dave Friedman have recently been asked to run more workshops in schools addressing student safety. Picture: David Caird

As the father of a teenage son, Mr Friedman said they discussed the importance of situational awareness regularly.

“It’s a fine line between fearmongering and teaching him prudence, but the importance of this conversation can’t be overstated.

“What I tell my son is that he’s a good person, but there are bad people in this world, who want to do bad things to good people.”

For parents feeling overwhelmed and helpless, he said the best thing to do was talk to your kids.

“Talk to your kids. Make them aware of the potential dangers out there.

“You don’t have to scare them, but they need to know the consequences of potentially dangerous behaviour and that there are safer choices available.”

The scene where a teen Glen Eira College student was allegedly abducted. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Keira Prowd, mother of a 14-year-old student at Krav Maga Australia, said the recent attacks had been “a little too close to home”.

“It’s been really concerning, because you always want to think your child will be safe around school,” Ms Prowd said.

“However, I definitely feel better knowing that my daughter trains regularly at KMA.

“Having these skills isn’t fail-safe, but it’s equipping the students to avoid violence at all costs.”

Teaching personal safety in schools would decrease the likelihood of kids getting into dangerous situations in the first place, Mr Friedman said.

“Personal safety is about avoidance, prevention and effective escape – it’s not about who can fight better than the other person.

“Let’s educate our kids with these skills and hope they never have to use them, because it’s better to have them and not need them, than need them and not have them.”

Krav Maga Australia offers classes for students of all ages and Live Safe Education runs personal safety and self defence workshops for schools and businesses.