Self-Defense 4 Women–A Tragedy Turns Into Hope For Other Women

Roger Kemp’s young daughter Ali, age 19, was murdered in 2002.  Roger turned a horrible tragedy that will forever affect his family and turned it into a safety and self-defense awareness tribute so other women may have a better chance of surviving a brutal attack by a criminally crazed and murderous predator.

Here is a video of Roger Kemp’s story - Courtesy of CBS News.

(CBS)  None of us gets through life without facing tragedy. But with it often comes an opportunity to turn something bad into something good. CBS News correspondent Cynthia Bowers reports on a Missouri man who did that - part of our "American Spirit" series.

In a crowded gym just outside Kansas City, Mo., 300 women and girls are learning to fight back. They are there because of a girl most of them never met - Ali Kemp.

"We wanted to do this self-defense class in honor of Ali," said Roger Kemp, Ali Kemp’s father and the founder of the Kemp TAKE Foundation, "because Ali fought and fought for her life."

But tragically 19-year-old Ali didn’t make it. In 2002, the only daughter of Roger and Kathy Kemp was brutally raped and strangled at her neighborhood pool. Her parents faced the unimaginable: How to go on in a world without Ali.

"Early on I realized you have two choices: You can pull the covers over your head and stay in bed, or you can get out and say you’re going to fight it," Roger Kemp said. "And I fought it."

His first mission was to find Ali’s killer. Two years passed and then Kemp had a revelation.

"I was driving by and saw a billboard near where Ali is buried and thought, ‘Why not?’" he said.

He put up what looked like an old-fashioned wanted poster. Outdoor advertising company Lamar donated some of the billboards and a national trade group pushed them nationwide.

And it worked. The billboard generated tips that led police to the predator. Law enforcement took notice and Kemp’s idea took off. Similar billboards are now up in 40 states.

But catching his daughter’s killer wasn’t enough for Kemp. He wanted to make sure other girls got the fighting chance his daughter did not.

He set up a foundation in Ali’s name and began offering free self-defense training. Since 2005, more than 38,000 women in 15 states have learned basic skills.

Each year, the Kemp TAKE Foundation teams up with baseball’s Kansas City Royals to hold a class at Kauffman Stadium.

Carolyn Regimand came to a recent training event with her two daughters Akarra and Sarra.

"I hope it never happens to me, but if it does, I’ll know what to do," Sarra said.

Giving girls that sense of empowerment is what gives Roger Kemp a sense of purpose.

Kemp says he hopes his daughter would be proud of him.

"I’m sure proud of her," he said. "Her mother and I always thought she was going to make a difference in this world."

And she is making a difference to thousands of women around the country.

Be sure to checkout Roger Kemp’s book about his daughter - "Ali Was Here" available at Amazon Books.

CLICK HERE TO AMAZON BOOKS.

 

 

 

 

Ladies, Remember Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!!

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Women At Risk - College Campus Safety

Young women are heading back to college this month and for some this will be their first time away from home.  If you are one who will be going off to college soon, be vigilant about your personal safety and take some steps to ensure your safety and security while at school. 

One of the things you can do is take an on-campus RAD Self-Defense Training Class.  This class will provide some basic self-defense tips while teaching young women self-defense techniques and tactics to protect and defense themselves against an attacker.  Check with your university/college and sign up!!   

More and more we hear in the news about young women who are sexually assaulted, raped, and even murdered on or around college campuses. As we send our young adults off to college, be sure to arm them with safety knowledge and safety awareness of how to protect themselves.

There may be situations on campus where you find yourself in potentially vulnerable situations - walking to a late night class alone, jogging by yourself along deserted pathways, parking in poorly lit garages or parking lots, or just being unaware of the dangers around you.

Campus Safety for College Students and Educators:
Self-Defense Knowledge and Awareness to Staying Safe

There are ways for you to stay safe on campus. As previously mentioned, most universities and college campus’ offer self-defense classes such as RAD Self-Defense. This type of training can give you a tremendous sense of confidence and self-empowerment.

You can also use campus protection or security services; always stay with others in a group-especially late at night; stay in control when drinking and partying with others; and carry some type of self-protection device such as pepper spray or mace, a personal alarm, or a TASER C2. (These are all non-lethal protection devices). Being armed with both mental and physical awareness along with some type of personal protection device could ultimately save your life if attacked or assaulted!

For personal protection options go to: www.thepersonalsecuritystore.com

Stay Alert…Stay Aware…Stay Alive!

 

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Staying Safe At College-20 Common Sense Safety Awareness Tips

Young men and women are heading back to college in the next 2-3 weeks to begin a new journey.  For some this will be their first year but for others they are now college veterans.

Going to college can be one of the greatest times of your life.  It is also a time when many young men and women find a reality that they may not have expected or are prepared for. 

Prepare to be thrust into a much different lifestyle than what you have been living.  For women you may have to learn to be more tactful and assertive in certain types of situations.  Since crimes on campus are more prevalent among  young women -  following the common sense campus safety tips may prove to be very helpful.  

You will be away from the watchful (and loving) eyes of "mom and dad", so you will need the strength and wisdom of what you’ve learned from them.  As you leave home, your personal safety is going to be very important to your family and it should be to you as well.  It seems we hear way too about young college-aged women who have become victims of terrible crimes.  Don’t become a victim of crime.  In fact, refuse to be a victim of crime and follow the 20 common sense safety tips listed. Read more

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