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Article published Feb 12, 2004
Bill: Schools would teach students art of self-defense
ROBERT W. DALTON
Staff Writer
COLUMBIA -- State Rep. Fletcher Smith wants South Carolina's schools to teach students how to protect themselves against potential kidnappers and sexual predators.Smith, a Greenville Democrat, has filed a bill that would require the state Department of Education to mandate that schools teach "age appropriate" self-defense, verbal defense and situations to avoid.Smith said last week's kidnapping and murder of Carlie Brucia, an 11-year-old Sarasota, Fla., girl, spurred him to introduce the legislation."Schools, with little expense, can teach children how to avoid the situation that Carlie Brucia found herself a victim of last week," Smith said."Most parents do a good job of teaching their children to avoid strangers, but this bill would allow schools to re-emphasize those lessons."Rep. Ralph Davenport, R-Boiling Springs, said he would sign on as a sponsor of the bill. "A lot of times when kids get out in the real world and away from us, we haven't educated them enough about all the negatives. There is evil out there. This will help them be more aware of it."Marcia Duncan, the assistant superintendent for instruction and accountability in Union County Schools, said she was not aware of the legislation. She said that school guidance counselors already teach students to beware of strangers. "We do not teach self-defense classes," Duncan said. "We do teach children lessons in caution and safety."Robert W. Dalton can be reached at 562-7223 or bob.dalton@shj.com.