Bus karate workshops teaches passengers how to handle public transport violence

SUPERS: 00.02 - Roxanne Fitzgerald, Reporting 00.31 - Danny Green, Instructor 00.54 - Althea Bannister, Darwin Resident 01.19 - Bianca Bogeov, Darwin Resident SCRIPT: From cross body punches to elbow strikes and chokeholds last resort tactics to take control in a crunch. “No ... I am leaving ... being assertive with your language.” This is Krav Maga a hand-to-hand martial art developed in the Israeli military and a mainstay of special forces training now giving bus passengers in Darwin the confidence to de-escalate or handle aggressive encounters. "It's not about fighting. It's about going home safe. So nice, easy strategies, where to sit, where not to sit, recognising behaviours." Violence on buses has long been an issue in Darwin with the government recently announcing new powers for transit officers... and training to use pepper spray. Police have also been granted powers to search buses with wands to check for knives and other weapons. "I've not yet felt threatened on public transport but I thought maybe it will happen and i like to be prepared.” "I guess i feel like I am always on alert maybe I feel a little bit uncomfortable." At it's core trainers say it provides strategies and builds confidence... in real world situations. “You operate a lot differently in these environments. You get the smells, the sounds, the confined environment, it's about being real." "It's a huge eye opener. I've learned that you don't need to be super aggressive from the beginning, because I travel on the bus everyday to work, and home again. And I've just sort of feel a bit alert." These trainers have travelled the country spreading the art of Krav Maga and their ultimate destination is a world where commuters feel safe.