By NATALIE GALLENTI
ONE of Melton’s most popular youth hang outs is teaching young girls that they are worth a lot more than they believe.
Hosted by the Art of Defence, the program is being held at The Gap and aims to improve participants’ confidence and awareness, while also making them more assertive and offering them basic skills in self-defence.
The Gap volunteer Colleen Downie said the program was funded by Zonta and would run for six weeks. Colleen said at the first session the ages of participants ranged from nine to 18 years old.
The dedicated volunteer told Star she hoped the program would educate young girls on how to act and dress appropriately for their age, but she believes what is most important is that they develop self-respect and self-worth.
“Some of these kids don’t have the people to talk to at home,” Colleen said.
“They need to learn that if you don’t respect yourself, no one else will … they are trying to fit in by doing inappropriate things.”
Colleen said it was important that girls as young as nine were taught the meaning of respecting themselves before they did something they might regret.
“The girls aren’t being spoken to, we’re not lecturing them. The instructors are young, and they can relate to the girls and inspire them.”
The program also provides basic self-defence and fitness training.
“There is such a varied range of girls that come to The Gap and they’re not aware of the dangers out there.”
Colleen said, if successful, the program would run again.
