“So that one may walk in peace …” Imi Lichtenfeld, founder of Krav Maga
Women especially may need to protect themselves. In Michigan, 40% of women have experienced some form of sexual violence since the age of 16, ranging from unwanted touching to forcible rape. Further, the National Center for Victims of Crime reports that the incidence of college dating violence is 32% by a previous partner and 21% with a current partner.
Sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted contact or attention. Rape is a common form of sexual assault and is committed in many situations – on a date, by a friend or an acquaintance, or when you think you are alone. Here are a few of the tips offered by the National Crime Prevention Council to reduce your chances of being sexually assaulted:
- Be aware of your surroundings - who’s out there and what’s going on.
- Walk with confidence - the more confident you look, the stronger you appear.
- Be assertive - don’t let anyone violate your space.
- Trust your instincts - if you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, then leave.
The Krav Maga Women Only Program has been carefully developed with valuable input from law enforcement officials, criminal prosecutors, psychologists, physicians, and sexual assault prevention counselors. The program teaches women tools to safely and effectively fend off an attacker with defenses escalating from awareness to assertiveness to self defense techniques.
The program incorporates methods to build a woman’s fighting spirit and to train how to respond both mentally and physically in a time of need, avoiding the danger of “freezing” or “shutting down” in a confrontation. This training instills the confidence and assertiveness to help prevent a sexual assault.
Krav Maga Detroit periodically offers our Women Only Program throughout the year or on a request basis for groups of 10 or more. The program is typically taught by Lisa Cichowlas, the only female Krav Maga instructor in Michigan and Pawel Cichowlas, Chief Instructor.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and for more information on the subject, visit the Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) website.
