'Bullyproof' your child

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - With school just a few weeks away, some local kids now have the confidence to say they won't be bullied this year. It's all part of a new program that teaches kids self defense, critical thinking, and respect.

It's a time when bullies proudly post their battles to the web, punch after punch for the world to see. It's a clear indicator that something needs to be done to stop them and protect your children.

For many kids this summer, the answer they need lies inside the Lamberts Point Community Center. It's a team effort by the Hip Hop Chess Federation and the Gracie Bullyproof Program.

No punches are thrown. The class message is violence isn't necessary.

Bullyproof co-creator Rener Gracie says his goal is to teach kids self confidence.

"You're basically giving these kids the internal confidence to be able to face challenges without fear for their personal safety. Everyone knows that the strongest deterrent for a bully is confidence. When a child is confidant, has self esteem, bullies tend not to pick on them because the bully feels that they don't have that same power advantage over the victim," says Gracie. "The City of Norfolk has adopted the program along with the Hip Hop Chess Federation and they're creating an opportunity for the underprivileged children to get these life skills, chess and Bully proof, self defense skills."

The kids love it and may not even realize what they're doing now will give them a brighter future.

"When kids can learn to make the right choices in a critical moment, how to be patient, how to look for that right opportunity, it's going to serve them in ways that we can't possibly imagine in this yearly stage," says Gracie. "They don't need to be a victim. Life is what they make of it and with confidence, everything is more pleasant."

If your child wasn't able to make the free classes in Norfolk, you can help them learn the program at home. Gracie created Bullyproof DVDs you can order by clicking on this link.