For any woman, it’s the unthinkable nightmare.
You’re alone, walking on a trail or quiet street, and suddenly you’re being attacked.
There’s no one around to help.
Jennifer Kirkey has been teaching Wenlido women’s self-defence classes for more than 30 years in the region and said there are a few simple things women can do if they find themselves in that situation.
“The single most affective thing a women a can do is yell,” she told the NOW.
Kirkey said the focus in her classes are the four A’s: awareness, avoidance, assertiveness and action.
She said by being aware of what can happen, there’s a better chance of avoiding an issue in the first place.
Failing that, stomping on an attacker’s foot, breaking his nose or going for the vulnerable bits are options.
As she puts it, it’s not about fighting fair, but inflicting as much pain to distract him and get away.
Kirkey wants women to know they can defend themselves, and a few simple effective moves can dramatically increase the odds of escaping.
With statistics showing that nearly half of all women will be attacked at some point in their life, mostly by someone they know, she sees self-defence as an important life skill.
“We consider self-defence like first aid, it’s a life skill. We think everyone should have it,” Kirkey said, noting the composition of her classes range from teens to seniors.
And in the last 30 years, the number of people interested in a self-defence course, hasn’t changed much either.
“Most women are aware they might get attacked,” she said. “There are simple affective things a woman can do against a bigger, stronger attacker that will help her get away.”
Wenlido courses, which sprouted from defence classes in Toronto in the 1970s, are being offered by Wenlido WEST (Women Educating in Self-Defense Training) around the region.
For more information visit wenlido.org or email [email protected].
