GKR Karate in Narre Warren is hosting a free self-defence class as part of the club’s ‘Stop domestic and family violence’ purple belt campaign.
People of all ages and fitness levels are welcomed to join in learning de-escalation techniques, situational awareness and basic self-defence skills.
Gavin Samin, GKR’s assistant chief instructor and international vice president, says that the club works to instil important values that goes beyond physical defence skills.
With more than 60 per cent of the club’s participants being children, Samin says that it’s important to show some strong support against domestic violence through their student base by ingraining qualities that promote respect and good self-esteem.
“We promote the development of good character to hopefully discourage them from ever being a perpetrator of bullying,” said Samin,
Equally, the club works by heightening student’s confidence in hopes of developing “good character” which helps them disengage in aggressive behaviour and rather embrace self control and restraint, especially as they grow older.
“Whatever they learn now about respect for others and restraints of control is going to be important in their adult lives,” he said.
And despite the stigma on the topic of domestic and family violence, GKR hopes to not shy away from it.
“We have to be careful in the way we discuss the topic to children, but at the same time, we don’t want to hide it totally from them,” he said.
“Because it’s a real thing in the world, they’ll see it on the news. They’ll hear about it online.”
“The more they have an awareness of it, the more they might make sense of things they hear.”
It comes as family incident rates in Casey have increased by nearly 14 per cent from the previous year, highlighting the need for greater preventive measures.
This will be the club’s second year supporting and raising funds for RizeUp, a community based organisation aiding victims of family and domestic violence. But the self defence class has only been introduced this year.
In 2024 across Australia, GKR Karate raised over $80,000 for RizeUp from GKR students who participated in the campaign by buying purple belts and t-shirts.
The class will be held on Sunday October 26, 9.00 am – 11.00 am at 2 Deblin Drive, Narre Warren.
