He talks to them about respect and communicating verbally.

“We have to be able to understand each other,” said Craig, who also helps families affected by domestic violence.

Craig believes in having a positive mental attitude, and he is a personal trainer and also a self-defence coach.

“We talk about the right way to protect yourself, using open-hand techniques, and respecting personal space,” he said.  

Based in Port Macquarie, Craig has been teaching street awareness skills for ten years and brings his Empowering Youth program into some of the schools around the Hastings.  He draws on his own experiences from childhood.

“I was a small only child and I was picked on at school.  If you liken it to young kids drowning, instead of getting rid of pools, they taught the kids to swim.”

Craig says bullying is never going to stop completely.

“It will always be with us.  Be prepared mentally, emotionally and physically.  I get kids to be more resilient: do some exercise, go for a run or a walk, do some weights.  I teach kids self-defence skills so they can walk around without feeling scared.

“When you see a bully coming, you have got to run to safety and get someone you trust – for example, go into a shop.  Then know who to go and talk to – a parent or teacher.  Some kids can’t go to their parents because the old man might give them a clip for not standing up for themselves.

“Sometimes you can’t get away and you’re going to get pounced on.  I have been in that situation where I have frozen with fear when I was young.  That’s when I started training at the local youth centre and I started boxing and judo.  I’m now over 50, and I still keep fit.

“If a young person is being bullied regularly, they have got to get some confidence in their lives.  I suggest they take up a sport; physical stuff instills self-esteem.  

“Bullying is a real predator-prey mentality.  Bullies look for kids who fit the ‘prey’ profile.  If you walk tall, with more confidence, you’re less likely to be picked on,” said Craig, who works as a carer, as well as a personal trainer.