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CNN Sunday Morning

Self-Defense Expert Teaches Children to Fight Abductions

Aired October 27, 2002 - 10:09   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN ANCHOR: This past summer, we heard quite a bit about child abductions in various parts of the country, including California. Well, now a self-defense expert is teaching young children how to fight back.
Our Eric Horng sat in on one of these classes.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIC HORNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These kids are learning to punch and kick. But perhaps the most important skill they're being taught ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now, if someone comes up and tells you, your mom and dad says it's okay if you come with them, what do you say?

HORNG: ... how to use their eyes and ears to spot trouble.

Thomas Guzman-Sanchez, a black belt in Hapkido Tae Kwon Do and a father of two, teaches a self-defense class for kids called "Youth Power Tactics."

THOMAS GUZMAN-SANCHEZ, YOUTH POWER TACTICS: Abductors don't want a fight. They don't want to be noticed. They want an easy target.

I want to teach these kids to be loud. Be aggressive. Empowered.

HORNG: Though child abductions by strangers nation-wide are relatively rare and not on the rise, Guzman-Sanchez attributes extensive media coverage of recent kidnapping cases for an increase in enrollment in his class.

He showed us some techniques his students learn to break free from a kidnapper's grip.

GUZMAN-SANCHEZ: The natural tendency is for the person to pull back. But as you walk back, he comes right out.

HORNG: Using their momentum.

GUZMAN-SANCHEZ: Exactly. If I go into you, it goes against this part, which is the weakest part of the body.

HORNG: And if all else fails?

GUZMAN-SANCHEZ: Bite. Right in this area, where there's no meat.

HORNG: Guzman-Sanchez said yelling "fire" instead of just "help" is more likely to attract attention. And he teaches students that fighting should be a last resort, that running away and using a loud voice are more effective than kicks and punches.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're tricky. They try and trick you so they can take you and torture you. You don't listen to them. Say no.

HORNG: Eric Horng, CNN, North Ridge, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired October 27, 2002 - 10:09   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN ANCHOR: This past summer, we heard quite a bit about child abductions in various parts of the country, including California. Well, now a self-defense expert is teaching young children how to fight back.
Our Eric Horng sat in on one of these classes.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIC HORNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These kids are learning to punch and kick. But perhaps the most important skill they're being taught ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now, if someone comes up and tells you, your mom and dad says it's okay if you come with them, what do you say?

HORNG: ... how to use their eyes and ears to spot trouble.

Thomas Guzman-Sanchez, a black belt in Hapkido Tae Kwon Do and a father of two, teaches a self-defense class for kids called "Youth Power Tactics."

THOMAS GUZMAN-SANCHEZ, YOUTH POWER TACTICS: Abductors don't want a fight. They don't want to be noticed. They want an easy target.

I want to teach these kids to be loud. Be aggressive. Empowered.

HORNG: Though child abductions by strangers nation-wide are relatively rare and not on the rise, Guzman-Sanchez attributes extensive media coverage of recent kidnapping cases for an increase in enrollment in his class.

He showed us some techniques his students learn to break free from a kidnapper's grip.

GUZMAN-SANCHEZ: The natural tendency is for the person to pull back. But as you walk back, he comes right out.

HORNG: Using their momentum.

GUZMAN-SANCHEZ: Exactly. If I go into you, it goes against this part, which is the weakest part of the body.

HORNG: And if all else fails?

GUZMAN-SANCHEZ: Bite. Right in this area, where there's no meat.

HORNG: Guzman-Sanchez said yelling "fire" instead of just "help" is more likely to attract attention. And he teaches students that fighting should be a last resort, that running away and using a loud voice are more effective than kicks and punches.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're tricky. They try and trick you so they can take you and torture you. You don't listen to them. Say no.

HORNG: Eric Horng, CNN, North Ridge, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com