The Inner Truth Project deals with one of the most difficult truths – sexual violence happens.
On Thursday, July 26, the not-for-profit will share another truth. There are effective means to defend oneself in the face of attack. Self-Defense for Female Survivors will start at 7:30 p.m. The instructor – who wishes to be identified as Michelle – is trained in hapkido, a martial art introduced to Americans by actor Tom Laughlin in the 1971 movie “Billy Jack.”
Mindi Fetterman, founder of the organization, said the class is open to women who’ve experienced sexual violence. “(Michelle) has a very big heart for survivors of sexual violence,” Fetterman said. “She knows our mission is to empower these women.”
The Inner Truth Project takes survivors at their words. The class is free.
Fetterman said this is the organization’s inaugural venture into teaching physical self-defense. “What (Michelle) said is let’s just try it for an hour and see how the women like it,” Fetterman said.
She explained that, by necessity, a self-defense class must recreate scenarios that can evoke memories of sexual violence among survivors. “It can be very distressing,” Fetterman said.
So, the class will proverbially wade out to deeper waters slowly and assess results along the way. Hapkido, like other martial arts, doesn’t just deal with physical parries, grapples, blocks and strikes. It also deals with inner and environmental awareness as the first line of self-defense. The class will include meditation and stretching. It won’t have any aggressive physical contacts.
Fetterman said if the classes are successful, there may be one for male survivors of sexual violence in the future. The Inner Truth Project has other programs for both sexes now. “We are a center and outreach for survivors – men, women and teens,” Fetterman said.
The Department of Justice estimates that less than a third of sexual crimes are ever reported to law enforcement. That makes getting reliable numbers and rates impossible. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center offers some estimates based on various reports and studies.
The center figures about a third of women experience some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetimes. About half that many men will as well. Much of it happens in childhood. About one in four girls and one in six boys experience some form of contact sexual violence by the time they turn 18. Some believe those numbers are conservative.
Fetterman moved to the Treasure Coast in 2007. Within a few years she’d started working with survivors of sexual violence here.
“We started as a support group in 2010 and had our center since 2012.”
Indeed, Fetterman put her college on hold to open The Inner Truth Project.
“I am a survivor myself,” she said. “I was molested as a child and drugged and gang raped when I was 16. I was raped again in my mid-20s.”
Self-Defense for Female Survivors will be at the organization’s office, 2190 NW Reserve Park Trace, suite 13, in Port St. Lucie. Attendees should wear exercise clothing. Attendees should also email ahead to innertruthproject@gmail.com, or call 772-200-4599.
The Inner Truth Project recommends that those in immediate crises call 911, or the Sexual Assault Assistance Program of the Treasure Coast, 1-866-828-7273. Alternately, those in immediate crisis can call 1-800-656-4673, HOPE, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.
To learn more, visit www.innertruthproject.com.