The best way to protect our children from predators is to enroll them in an effective self-defense program that will self-empower them to say 'NO!' to strangers, to build their self-esteem, and to establish personal boundaries. Criminals such as child molestors are basically cowards and seek easy prey. If they feel that a child or any other potential victim is going to put up a fight, they'll give up already and go elsewhere. Many studies have proven this to be true.
Lastly, as a side benefit of knowing how to defend yourself for your children is that they will excel in school and life in general since their self-esteem and image is fortified and increased. Learning real street self-defense benefits everyone, not just our kids.
Spend some time, however, doing some research and visit some of the local self-defense schools and ensure that they teach their students street self-defense and not just how to jump around and punch the air such as many fake schools do; I call them McDojos; all they want is your money and business; they offer you a black belt in one year but have you really learned how to prevent from being a crime victim? You and your kids' lives are too precious to gamble away by not really learning how to fight for your life. Honest schools also offer you a free lesson or two without obligations to buy.
Personally, I have tried Krav Maga, a highly effective street-oriented self-defense system, battle-proven by the Israelis, who are among the best fighters on the planet. Learn real self-defense that works, not just how to some useless fancy high kicks best reserved for action movies.
