I am a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and have performed more rape exams than I care to remember. I live in North Carolina and education regarding rape and encouragement to report is not what it should be. I am sure that most females, both teenagers and adults, can tell you the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or what to do if there is a fire, but can't protect themselves or identify risk factors for assault. I am pleased to see a media form of information regarding sexual assault. Our society (especially young people) is very media driven, especially visually, and to see something is more credible that to be told something. I see victims who have been devastated and always "wish I had made a different decision" or "wish I knew what I could have done to stop this". I could bet many people know the Heimleich maneuver if someone is chocking and they surely know what kind of diet to prevent heart disease, but don't know what they can do to protect themselves in a mall parking lot or identify behavior that is suspicious or threatening. It is more believable that you could have a heart attack than it is that you could be sexually assaulted. I applaud your advocacy for safety and sexual assault.
Comments
I saw you guys on Montel and I wanted to say I think you guys are doing an amazing thing. I was attacked in my own home when I was 14 and beat up by my b/f just a lil over 3 years ago, I finaly deicided to take up Kickboxing its maid a world of difference in mylife. Keep up the good work u guys are awesome.
After learning about Just Yell Fire on the Montel show I just knew I needed a copy for my 13 yr old daughter. I am a mother of 2 always hoping I can protect my children yet knowing I can't always be with them. I would like to thank Dallas and Catherine, their parents and teachers, along with everyone involved for making this film and providing necessary tools for the safety of children everywhere. I have always tried to teach my children to be safe and stay involved in anything they can to provide for and show concern for others. Thank you for showing them that our youth can make a difference in so many ways. Thank you!
You are all outstanding people for doing something like this, taking the risk, and following your program all the way through. Think of the power you are giving young girls. Wow!! Thank you very much.
Hi Maggie, I just heard you speaking on Clark Howard’s show a few minutes ago when I was in my car and went to your website as soon as I got back to my store. Not only is your daughter beautiful but also very bright and talented. You should be very proud.
You guys are doing such a wonderful thing for society. Keep up the good work.
Deputy Director, Adult Court Services
Just thought I would drop a line to say I appreciate what you do for young women. I have been a Probation Officer for over 25 years, a martial artist for over 30 years and a self-defense and personal safety instructor for over 20 years. During every session I teach I encourage young women and their parents to go to your web page for valuable information to enhance their personal safety. Keep up the good work.
I don't exactly live in the BEST neighborhood and I walk to and from school every 5 feet I constantly catch myself turning around to make sure I'm not being followed, and the cat calls from way older men just scares me to death that one of them will act on it one day so thats why I am writing cuz I can't afford any type of classes or anything, I figure this is the next best thing (: and I think what you girls have done is just amazing you should be so so proud of yourselves, that's from the bottom of my heart and I'm sure you have saved lives. Thanks again.
Just sort of off the cuff, Maggie, I got to thinking today about how doctors and inventors also do things to benefit the public, but they don't give their services or ideas away for free. For what you and your wonderful Dallas have done, you deserve to be multi-millionaires. JYF is a priceless gift for all of mankind! For it, I'm truly sorry that the proper gratitude it deserves can only be expressed in the old cliché that no words in the English language are sufficient enough; no word, no phrase. To me, this is one of less than maybe a handful of ideas since time immemorial that will prove to have such a thorough, beneficial impact on mankind.
The DVD is a great Help, our 19 cheerleaders were impressed, they talked things over..we got in a big circle and then we practiced all the hits/kicks/ and we had a black belt from our YMCA come in and he held their arm, they all got away, it was the most fun I've had in a long time, and I was proud of the girls for putting effort and concentration into what they were doing. I think they learned what they needed to learn.
I used to be a Juvenile probation officer, working with girl offenders. I've tried to tell the girls not to put themselves in dangerous situations, but a few haven't been so lucky and I've sat through a few rape exams with them. Over the years, I've told the girls that if they can't get away, leave their DNA behind - a finger nail, hair etc. I think this video will be a great new tool that we will use in our girls' circle group. Now, I'm working with foster kids and hope to share this with some of the older teens on my caseload. Good luck in all your endeavors and I'll share the information on the link with my co-workers.