By TIFFANNIE BOND VIEW STAFF WRITER.

Women and children aren't always attacked or kidnapped in dark alleys. A crime against a woman or a child can happen anywhere at anytime. Tony Leo wants to make sure the two groups are prepared. Leo has spent the last 33 years educating women and children on how to stay safe. The southwest-area resident moved from Southern California 18 months ago to bring his knowledge to the Las Vegas Valley. "These two groups need it more than anybody," said Leo, 50. "All you need to do is look at the news, the newspapers to see the crimes against women, children, too." According to the U.S. Department of Justice, in 2002 for every 1,000 persons age 12 and older there was one rape or sexual assault; one assault with injury and two robberies. The department also reported from 1991-96 in 12 states, 67 percent of victims of sexual assault victims were under the age of 18; 34 percent were younger than 12; and one in seven reported sexual assaults were in children under age 6.

Leo, a National Security Alliance board member and certified child safety danger awareness counselor, began his career at age 17, when the martial arts from a Bruce Lee movie motivated him to take up karate. He was ranked No. 1 in the country by the North American Sport Karate Association in his 20s, 30s and 40s. Instead of using his skills for more competitions, he's concentrating on helping women and children ages 5 to 12 protect themselves through seminars and after-school programs. Each group receives a one-hour lecture and a copy of Leo's books, the first edition written in 1993. Once they're aware, they're put to the mat where they're taught how to hit, punch, kick and poke their way out of a dangerous situation.

Tanya Coate, manager of Curves on West Flamingo Road, brought Leo's class to the gym after speaking with a member who works with violent-crime victims in a hospital emergency room. As a mother, she felt she would do anything to protect her children. As a student, she now knows she can. "I felt confident I could hurt someone if they were hurting me or my kids," Coate said. "Now I feel like I could be aggressive and take care of myself. If someone was going to mess with me, they better not." Karate and life skills are mixed with self defense lessons for the children's seminars. Children also receive a manual, complete with flash cards. Leo requires parent involvement.

After the seminar, Leo will work with parents to test their children. He or one of his trained volunteers will plan to meet with the family on an outing and test the children's skills. No one has failed yet, Leo said. "Vegas is so perfect for what I do. I think I can make a difference," Leo said. "You (have to) get to the children early enough, work with the women." The members of Curves who attended the November seminar are still talking about it and are ready for their free refresher course in February, Coate said. "Just daily things like walking to your car, in the grocery store, even going home in your garage, all those different scenarios. The women are made aware of situations," Coate said. "Sometimes we're so naive. Everyday walking around the neighborhood, you have to be ready."

Leo doesn't want to instill fear in the women, children and sometimes males who attend his seminars. According to Leo, fear creates adrenaline, which can be used in a fight for life. The goal is to get away, not to maintain the fight, he said. So, he scares the women to show them how to use their energy. With children, he uses positive reinforcement and fun. Either way, he's learned both groups "like to hit things." "We weren't afraid, but we were ready to deal with situations," Coate said. Leo's karate experience proved to him that knowing the sport doesn't make you untouchable. "There are a lot of black belts, children and adults, who could not protect themselves," Leo said. "A lot of things you learn in traditional karate won't help you in a fight. You have no time to get in a karate stance. Fights begin quickly and end quickly. You have to adapt to each situation immediately."

A seminar typically runs $70 to $90 for four to five hours of instruction, 2 1/2 hours for children. A refresher course is included, and a portion of the money generated goes to the host of the program and to a children's charity. There are upcoming seminars planned for the next two months.

For more information, call 873-5425.