SARC, Wingman Office delivers self-defense classes

  • Published
  • By James Baker
  • Skywrighter staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Wright-Patterson Sexual Assault Response Coordinator/ Wingman Office coordinated and delivered two self-defense classes April 10 and 12 to promote sexual assault awareness and prevention throughout the installation. 

The demonstrations conducted at the Wright Field Fitness Center were part of the on-going activities planned to support the cause during the month of April. The classes were a combination of martial arts and grappling techniques with instructors demonstrating how to use basic self-defense skills to fend off an attacker. Participants also learned the latest crime statistics and how to plan a personal strategy for preventing crime. 

Jill Durvin, of the Air Force Materiel Command, said the program was well set up, and she enjoyed the different stations that were offered to the participants. 

"Attending a demonstration like this is the smart thing to do because you can never get enough guidance in defending yourself," she said. "This class gives me the confidence that I can really do these things if I am ever faced with that situation." 

Class instructors started the class with a knowledge test. Questions on the test assessed how prepared participants were if or when a potential sexual assault was to occur. Some of the questions asked were: Do we know our physical and mental limitations? Do we know the number one characteristic of violence in an encounter? In the event of an attack, what is the first strategy that comes to mind? and What is the best tactic to use if attacked?' 

Following the test, instructors began to demonstrate the different defense moves, such as striking, punching, hitting, kicking and rolling. Participants were taught how to properly use those techniques to get away from a perpetrator. 

Simone Koram, Wright-Patterson's sexual assault response coordinator, said the class was well presented with invaluable information shared with the students. 

"The instructors were confident, personable and experts in their martial arts discipline, which brought credibility to the class," she said. "They fostered trust and maximum participation by all attendees. The class was enlightening and encouraging for all." 

Ms. Koram said the successful delivery of this event was possible because of the many "wingmen" who came together to help, including Iyesha Jenkins, SARC program assistant and Sexual Assault Awareness Month volunteer self-defense instructors Karen Katzenbach, Brian Donovan, Stephen Gagen, Karen Douglas, Laura Suzuki, Gerard Simon, Jason West and Darryl Gholston, who shared their martial arts knowledge and skills to help promote sexual assault awareness and prevention. 

Although the class was offered to men and women, Ms. Koram said the targeted audience was mostly females because statistically more women are sexually assaulted than men. 

SARC is sponsoring victim advocate recruiting and Wright-Patterson victim advocate recognition this month. For more information, call (937) 257-7272.