INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Some came because they had been affected by violence and some came out of curiosity, but they all came seeking the peace of mind that comes from being prepared. Nearly 75 women of all ages participated in a Women’s Self Defense class, hosted by the 19th Judicial Victims’ Rights Coalition on Tuesday night, as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Together they practiced hitting, kicking and blocking, and learned defensive skills to aid them in real-life violent situations.
“I would be less afraid if I were more prepared,” said Angela Douds, who attended with three generations of her family.
Her mother, Harriet Heuser, recalled an altercation with a would-be thief in a New York City subway 30 years prior.
“He tried to pull my diamond ring right off my finger,” she said. “They got the guy. But I’ll never forget it.”
Heuser’s granddaughter, 17-year-old Courtney Coppola, was interested in showing attackers the business side of her feet and her fists.
She got plenty of practice, as instructors from Alpha Omega Combatives of Port St. Lucie led the class and focused on the fundamentals.
“What we are teaching them is not fancy,” said Senior Instructor Jim Olson. “Fancy is ineffective. Easy, you can recall, and use under stress.”
Olson and his colleagues demonstrated several maneuvers, some, like an eye gauge or a testicle squeeze, made the audience gasp or giggle.
He praised the merits of avoiding dangerous situations by being aware of your surroundings, but, he said, “Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself. It may be up to you to defend yourself and your loved ones.”
Always fight back, he said, and cultivate and project an attitude of strength.
Nationwide there is a violent crime every 22 seconds, but to help mitigate that, Olson said, people need to practice little things to stay vigilant – have your keys in your hand before you reach your car, not only will this cut down on distraction, but if you are attacked your keys could be used as a weapon. If an attacker demands your wallet, throw it away from yourself and run in the other direction. When you get in your car, don’t sit there and dilly-dally. Establish code phrases with your family; perhaps calling them by the wrong name. Realize that it’s hard to run away in heels.
Lane Frye, Program Manager for Victims’ Services at the state attorney’s office, said the main goal of the class, sponsored by Re/Max Crown Realty of Sebastian, is to “prevent victimization, and let people know we care about them and their safety. If one woman takes one thing away from this to protect her or her kids,” she said, “that’s what’s important.”
The next free Women’s Self Defense class will be held Tuesday, July 17, at the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office auditorium. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week began April 21, and includes a Memorial Vigil on April 26 at Memorial Island.
For more information, visit www.ircsheriff.org.