Girl outwits molester at Disney resort
By Doris Bloodsworth
of the Sentinel Staff
Posted March 13, 2001
Quick thinking enabled a 10-year-old Maryland girl to escape a man who molested her in her room at a Walt Disney World hotel, authorities said Monday.
Orange County sheriff's detectives said the girl's parents and sister left their room at the Dolphin Hotel about 10 p.m. Saturday to enjoy karaoke entertainment at the Swan Hotel next door. The 10-year-old said she stayed behind because she was tired.
About 15 minutes later, the girl said, an unidentified man knocked on her door and said he was with "security."
He told her someone had been looking in her first-floor room through the window, and that she should keep the blinds closed. He then locked the door and pulled the curtains closed, the sheriff's report said.
The girl told detectives the man put a pillow over her face to muffle her screams and began to fondle her. She was able to push the pillow off her face and tell her attacker that she had to go to the bathroom. She locked herself in, and when he told her to hurry up, she told the man she wanted to take a "long, hot shower."
At this point, the attacker apparently fled. When she heard the hotel-room door close, the girl left the bathroom and pushed the "front desk" button on the room telephone. She told the operator to connect her to the karaoke at the Swan Hotel, which they did.
According to the report, the girl's parents and sister returned immediately. They then called hotel security, which summoned the Sheriff's Office about 11:30 p.m.
The suspect is described as a white male in his early 20s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, with short, black hair and a goatee.
Detective Ron Folse said the girl's resourcefulness was unusual and may have saved her from further abuse.
"She was a very intelligent girl," he said.
Folse said he had reviewed the hotel's security videotapes but that they had not provided much help so far.
Dolphin Hotel spokeswoman Treva Marshall said the staff at the 1,500-room resort, managed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, was working closely with investigators.
"We've prided ourselves on being safe," Marshall said. "It's a shocker to us."
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Yeah - I'll bet it's a shocker. Leave a 10 year old girl alone in a hotel room in a strange city and expect a freaking MOUSE to protect her?
Give me a break.
Kudos to the girl - shame on the adults.
When is deBecker going to come out with a Gift of Fear geared toward a younger audience? This girl's story could be a prime example for other youngsters to learn from. Protecting the Gift is great - but obviously missed a few parents out there.
@%$#
Common Sense takes a Vacation
Moderator: Available
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Allen M.
Common Sense takes a Vacation
Fondle a 10-year old girl? Aw c'mon. That little molester has got severe brain rot!!!! I want to puke in his face.
Her parents have a few marbles missing too, for leaving her unattended.
<hr>
BTW, Lori, what happened to your forum last night. It was totally hosed.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
Her parents have a few marbles missing too, for leaving her unattended.
<hr>
BTW, Lori, what happened to your forum last night. It was totally hosed.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
Common Sense takes a Vacation
There's a lot of twisted people in the world Allen-san. Isn't that one of the main reasons we study martial arts? The biggest frustration is when something happens to someone young and un-prepared - or left defenseless. All the more reason to encourage more girls and women into learning about safety, self-defense, and the martial arts. Sure - as a society we may have made strides in the area of women's rights -voting and the like - but as long as women and girls remain the number one victim type of violent crime - it underscores the need to better equip our girls with the skills of self-confidence, awareness, caution, and fighting spirit. Martial arts can be a good start - but it shouldn't stop there.
Don't know what was up with the forum last night - I had trouble getting onto the forums for a little while - then later everything was fine. I didn't see anything specific with this forum - seems to be okay now. Anyone else have problems?
Don't know what was up with the forum last night - I had trouble getting onto the forums for a little while - then later everything was fine. I didn't see anything specific with this forum - seems to be okay now. Anyone else have problems?
Common Sense takes a Vacation
Lori:
I tried for three whole months to start a women only class. not only did it not get started, I only had two women stop in to inquire about it!
It was supposed to be taught by Christin who is a female instructor.
Maybe it was the thought that we were deemed to be segregating women. Maybe they were appalled at the idea of a women's only class. Remember we are in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts here!
Anyway I have to make this short because I need to get to the dojo to open up.
Currently I have 7 girls in my junior class of 19 students.
In my adult class I have 0.
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Len
I tried for three whole months to start a women only class. not only did it not get started, I only had two women stop in to inquire about it!
It was supposed to be taught by Christin who is a female instructor.
Maybe it was the thought that we were deemed to be segregating women. Maybe they were appalled at the idea of a women's only class. Remember we are in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts here!
Anyway I have to make this short because I need to get to the dojo to open up.
Currently I have 7 girls in my junior class of 19 students.
In my adult class I have 0.
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Len
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Allen M.
Common Sense takes a Vacation
Where does one start, Lori? Not only do the kids need to be made aware, but the parents also need to be educated.
You think most peole start ma because they are twisted and it'll straighten them out?
Last night your page contained many of the "go" buttons with the pull-down boxes spread all over your forum, except they were rotated -90 degrees.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
You think most peole start ma because they are twisted and it'll straighten them out?
Last night your page contained many of the "go" buttons with the pull-down boxes spread all over your forum, except they were rotated -90 degrees.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
Common Sense takes a Vacation
Ha! Too funny - a play on words. Do people start studying MA to try and protect themselves from twisted people in the world - or because they are twisted themselves?
There are probably enough cases of both.
My sensei told a story about one of his early students - when he was just a potential student he watched what he called "the crazies" inside this little dojo beating on wood wrapped in rope - pushups on knuckles and this crazy insane exercise where one person would just stand there while someone else punched him (referring to sanchin)- after joining the dojo he said he figured that there were more crazies on the outside then on the inside...
On this thread though I'm mostly thinking of the impact of martial arts on young girls. On an educational standpoint there are so many studies out there about primary education and how girls consistently do better when given a female learning environment - for multiple reasons - their learning potential and self esteem grows considerably. I know that when I held a women and girls only martial arts class a couple years ago it became very popular. Integrating into the dojo was okay for some - but a number of the women wanted to study only in an all-female group. Okay - so real life applications necessitate involvement with male opponents - but what about the benefit of a foundation in a female only class? Educators know of the benefits in school - and some of the best private schools provide this - often sending their graduates on to great success in ivy-league colleges. Anyone out there have any experience or comments teaching girl-only MA classes?
There are probably enough cases of both.
My sensei told a story about one of his early students - when he was just a potential student he watched what he called "the crazies" inside this little dojo beating on wood wrapped in rope - pushups on knuckles and this crazy insane exercise where one person would just stand there while someone else punched him (referring to sanchin)- after joining the dojo he said he figured that there were more crazies on the outside then on the inside...
On this thread though I'm mostly thinking of the impact of martial arts on young girls. On an educational standpoint there are so many studies out there about primary education and how girls consistently do better when given a female learning environment - for multiple reasons - their learning potential and self esteem grows considerably. I know that when I held a women and girls only martial arts class a couple years ago it became very popular. Integrating into the dojo was okay for some - but a number of the women wanted to study only in an all-female group. Okay - so real life applications necessitate involvement with male opponents - but what about the benefit of a foundation in a female only class? Educators know of the benefits in school - and some of the best private schools provide this - often sending their graduates on to great success in ivy-league colleges. Anyone out there have any experience or comments teaching girl-only MA classes?
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Jackie Olsen
- Posts: 619
- Joined: Fri Sep 18, 1998 6:01 am
- Contact:
Common Sense takes a Vacation
Lori/Len
I was tapped by a dojo to run a "women's only" class. 15 guys & two women showed up. I taught the class for 3 years and the guys kept coming, but not the women.
In my home dojo, we have: Women: 3 BB (including me), 1 green belt, 1 White Belt. Men -- 6 BB, 1 Brown, 3 green, 2 white.
In a new class I'm starting, I cited "women only" and 2 guys asked to join. (total - 10 students)!
IMHO, women only classes don't seem to work; however it is good to include women instructors in the dojo.
Jackie
I was tapped by a dojo to run a "women's only" class. 15 guys & two women showed up. I taught the class for 3 years and the guys kept coming, but not the women.
In my home dojo, we have: Women: 3 BB (including me), 1 green belt, 1 White Belt. Men -- 6 BB, 1 Brown, 3 green, 2 white.
In a new class I'm starting, I cited "women only" and 2 guys asked to join. (total - 10 students)!
IMHO, women only classes don't seem to work; however it is good to include women instructors in the dojo.
Jackie
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Gilbert MacIntyre
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2000 6:01 am
- Location: Sydney, NS, Canada
Common Sense takes a Vacation
On females in the Dojo, we've yet to have one get to BB. Green seems to be the falling off point, that's also where we lose a lot of guys. I think people feel a difference in themselves at that stage and figure they're "all that and a round house".
I've toyed with the idea of an all female class but haven't followed through. I think this is a great idea to bring them to brown belt, I would then want them to train with males in anticipation of the BB test.
In our kick boxing class(we train fighters, NOT a Tae Bo type class)we have a huge percentage of females. From 14 to 53 years of age. We drive all students into the ground, we hit all students when they drop their hands, all students are pushed beyond what they think are their limitations. In this class almost every night females out number males... Mary may have something to do with it.
I would like to know what brought you ladies to the MA. I have two daughters, 13 and 11. They are very secure at this age, everyone they hang with knows their father is a MA instructor and a nut(I never miss a chance to growl at a young fellow to have him spread the legend).
However they will sooner or later leave my protection and I would like to have them ready to protect themselves. This isn't something they will learn in a year....so how do I sell them on joining something they think is not necessary.
Gilbert
[This message has been edited by Gilbert MacIntyre (edited March 14, 2001).]
I've toyed with the idea of an all female class but haven't followed through. I think this is a great idea to bring them to brown belt, I would then want them to train with males in anticipation of the BB test.
In our kick boxing class(we train fighters, NOT a Tae Bo type class)we have a huge percentage of females. From 14 to 53 years of age. We drive all students into the ground, we hit all students when they drop their hands, all students are pushed beyond what they think are their limitations. In this class almost every night females out number males... Mary may have something to do with it.
I would like to know what brought you ladies to the MA. I have two daughters, 13 and 11. They are very secure at this age, everyone they hang with knows their father is a MA instructor and a nut(I never miss a chance to growl at a young fellow to have him spread the legend).
However they will sooner or later leave my protection and I would like to have them ready to protect themselves. This isn't something they will learn in a year....so how do I sell them on joining something they think is not necessary.
Gilbert
[This message has been edited by Gilbert MacIntyre (edited March 14, 2001).]
Common Sense takes a Vacation
Interestingly enough,it is brought to my attention by the Italian Martial Arts site, that kick boxing is edging out karate in Europe and that it attracts more women than karate as a whole. 
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Van Canna
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Van Canna
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Gilbert MacIntyre
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2000 6:01 am
- Location: Sydney, NS, Canada
Common Sense takes a Vacation
I can see that as being true here as well. The problem I see is people who join kickboxing do so because it gives more back to the student in immediate gratification. Harder workouts, realistic contact in sparring, and a "feel" that they are getting stronger and learning to defend themselves.
They don't seem to have what it takes to do the repetitive exercises that are necessary to improve on a technique. They don't have the dedication most karate students exhibit.
I advise all my students if they really want to excel in kickboxing, take up karate. In my experience the best fighters are those with MA background, those who can control their limbs and deliver a blow exactly where they want it.
Gilbert.
They don't seem to have what it takes to do the repetitive exercises that are necessary to improve on a technique. They don't have the dedication most karate students exhibit.
I advise all my students if they really want to excel in kickboxing, take up karate. In my experience the best fighters are those with MA background, those who can control their limbs and deliver a blow exactly where they want it.
Gilbert.
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RickLiebespach
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Mon Feb 15, 1999 6:01 am
- Location: Valrico, Florida, USA
Common Sense takes a Vacation
After listening to the news the other night, why am I not surprized about this attack...and Disney's lack of resourcefulness ("Folse said he had reviewed the hotel's security videotapes but that they had not provided much help so far.")
...oh yeah, the news, it said that the Orange County Sherrif has the least cooperation from Disney when dealing with cases of child molestation.
-Rick
...oh yeah, the news, it said that the Orange County Sherrif has the least cooperation from Disney when dealing with cases of child molestation.
-Rick
Common Sense takes a Vacation
Yes, I agree that green belt is the stage where a student decides for himself or herself whether to continue training. The reasons I think that the majority of women quit after attaining green belt are; one becomes quicker and stronger during this stage and most women do not want to condition properly enough to adequately perform the blocks as required; and the stepped up level is a bit frightening due to the lack of control that the other green belt and most brown belt dojo partners exhibit during kumite training.
After two months of the opening of my dojo, I had a few women who were between 18 and 25 years old come in asking if we taught kickboxing. When I stated that to be kick boxer one must learn karate, they looked at me as if I had two heads. At the time, I did not know that they were referring to Cardio Kickboxing or Tae Bo™. I told them that if they go into any karate school to inquire about kickboxing, they probably would get the same response.
The Cardio Kickboxing classes give the women exactly what they want, which is vigorous exercise and conditioning of the entire body, without the pain associated with contact from a dojo partner. The average person, man or woman, could push himself or herself to the limit of his or her own threshold of pain. However, when it becomes necessary to receive pain from another that they have no control over, will usually avoid this type of workout.
What concerns me is that most women and some men consider the Tae Bo™ or cardio kickboxing classes as martial arts study. Some even believe that they can defend themselves against attackers after a few months of these workouts. I am definitely not against Tae Bo™ or cardio kickboxing, as we call it at my dojo, I consider these classes to be supplemental training for a martial artist. The advice I gave to women who inquire about these classes at a dojo is: Tae Bo™ or cardio kickboxing is a great way to workout but if you want to learn self-defense, enroll in a full martial arts course preferably one that has a cardio kickboxing class.
At the Brocton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy, we are adding a Cardio Kickboxing class to our schedule soon. Maybe this class will draw a few women into the full karate program.
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Len
After two months of the opening of my dojo, I had a few women who were between 18 and 25 years old come in asking if we taught kickboxing. When I stated that to be kick boxer one must learn karate, they looked at me as if I had two heads. At the time, I did not know that they were referring to Cardio Kickboxing or Tae Bo™. I told them that if they go into any karate school to inquire about kickboxing, they probably would get the same response.
The Cardio Kickboxing classes give the women exactly what they want, which is vigorous exercise and conditioning of the entire body, without the pain associated with contact from a dojo partner. The average person, man or woman, could push himself or herself to the limit of his or her own threshold of pain. However, when it becomes necessary to receive pain from another that they have no control over, will usually avoid this type of workout.
What concerns me is that most women and some men consider the Tae Bo™ or cardio kickboxing classes as martial arts study. Some even believe that they can defend themselves against attackers after a few months of these workouts. I am definitely not against Tae Bo™ or cardio kickboxing, as we call it at my dojo, I consider these classes to be supplemental training for a martial artist. The advice I gave to women who inquire about these classes at a dojo is: Tae Bo™ or cardio kickboxing is a great way to workout but if you want to learn self-defense, enroll in a full martial arts course preferably one that has a cardio kickboxing class.
At the Brocton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy, we are adding a Cardio Kickboxing class to our schedule soon. Maybe this class will draw a few women into the full karate program.
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Len
