According the U.S. Justice Department, when we talk about abduction of children by strangers, in nearly in 80 percent of cases the first contact is within one mile of their home. Marcie Fraser reports.

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"Aggression comes in many forms, it can be an abduction attempt, a bullying attempt, a child sexual abuse," said Tammy Matthews, R.A.D. coach.

It's a sad reality. There are bad people looking to hurt our innocent children.

“Approximately one out of four of our girls will be sexually abused by the age of 18 and the saddest part is, only one out of ten actually tell," said Matthews.

It was because of her personal experience of being abused as a child that led Tammy Matthews to want to help kids protect themselves. She is now a coach for a program called R.A.D. Kids.

"Resisting Aggression Defensively, it's a nationwide program that helps kids protect themselves against potential abduction, child sexual abuse, bullying," said Matthews.

The community based program teaches kids from age 3-and-a-half to 12 how to be aware of the signs of trouble. The students are taught the difference between good touch and bad touch, how and when to dial 911, plus how to become more aware.

"You see kids looking at their cell phones and walking up and down the street, they are a target, they are a moving target, they not aware of their surroundings, they are totally engrossed in who they are texting and talking to. We need to teach these kids not be a target to hold themselves up," said Matthews.

"Before it really wasn't a problem because I didn't think about it, but now I think about it more and more and I am more aware of my surroundings," said Madison DeGeorgio, R.A.D. student.

In addition to learning self-confidence and self assuredness, the students are able to put to the test some of the physical techniques they have learned. Through simulated drills and wearing protective gear, students practice a few strikes such as the elbow to face, a hammer strike, and a groin kick.