What Doesn’t Kill You Can Empower You

(Editor's Note: Thanks to resident and reader, Joy Robinson, founder, Girls Support Network, for sending in this story.)

I love the lyrics to the Kelly Clarkson song, "What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)." For the most part, I do believe the statement: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” 

Looking back at my own share of personal ups and downs in life, I can honestly say those experiences have made me stronger and wiser. And when it comes to empowering girls, I think embracing this attitude not only helps girls gain some perspective during difficult times, but can actually help them avoid some of life’s difficulties, especially when it comes to mean girls, unscrupulous boys, and the worst of the worst, sexual predators. 

It’s all about attitude.  If a girl embodies an attitude of: “I won’t let you hurt me,” it affects the way she walks, talks, and reacts when someone negative gets in her personal space.  Add to that the ability to actually defend herself physically, and a girl is less likely to become a target or a victim.

I heard a statistic recently that disturbed me to the core. The age that a girl is most likely to become the victim of a violent crime is 16 to 24. My first thought was, how can that be? They’re bigger, stronger, and smarter. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.  At 16, they start to drive.  No longer is it: “Mom, can you take me to the mall?”  It’s: “Bye mom, I’m going to the mall.” 

At 18, they leave for college. They get their first apartments, they start working, they travel - all without mom watching over them to make sure they’re safe and making smart choices along the way.   

We want our girls to spread their wings and fly. We want them to embrace their dreams and follow their goals and passions with vigor. We want them to grow to be independent, self-reliant individuals. But we also want them to be safe. And with new freedom comes vulnerability. So as we teach our girls, we need to include a natural dialogue about bullies, liars, and predators, no matter how uncomfortable it may be at first. 

We simply cannot pretend it’s not a problem, or just hope nothing bad ever happens to them. Girls need to be taught what to look for and what to do if they come across a suspicious character, whether it’s in person or online. And a parent’s best friend in this teaching process is radKIDS.

radKIDS is a fun, interactive personal empowerment and safety education course for kids 5-12, with an exciting new teen program on the way.  radKIDS is not just about stranger danger, because predators can be anyone – coaches, teachers, neighbors, relatives, or acquaintances.  And if a girl knows what to look for in predatory behavior, she can reduce her own chances of becoming a victim.  Only then will we see a reduction in the incidents of predatory crimes against girls.

 So, I encourage you to embrace this best friend and reserve your daughter’s spot to kick some predatory butt during our radKIDS course for girls this month.  And watch as her self-esteem and confidence soars.  Because, what doesn’t kill you can empower you.

Course Details:

When: Aug. 20 to 24 (M-F) from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Where: 24360 Yosemite Road, Laguna Niguel.

Who: All Girls, ages 10 to12

How: Download the registration form at GirlsSupportNetwork.org

Cost: $79

Parent Meeting: Sunday, Aug. 19 from 7-8 p.m. at Mission Lutheran Church. Meeting led by nationally recognized child safety advocate and founder of The Joyful Child Foundation, Erin Runnion.