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Violence: it is all around us. The daily news plasters the public with reports of assault, rape and murder. Hollywood sells and promotes violence to the public and they eat it up. After watching the latest Jet Lei or Wesley Snipes flick people think they have the ability to mirror the fighting techniques of the professionals. But can they?
Of course not.
However, with a little help, they can learn.
In this age of skyrocketing rape and sexual assault statistics, many students are turning to organized defense instruction classes. But instead of running out to sign up at the local dojo for a Karate, Judo or kickboxing class, an increasing number of Americans are attending self-defense seminars. Through learning how to protect oneself in an attack, a person can be confident and prepared for an offender.
UMaine Public Safety Officer Deb Mitchell teaches a self-defense course for all students.
However, Officer Mitchell’s course focuses less on deadly maneuvers than scenario roleplay to help students fill comfortable.
Some folks are ready for something a little more potent. Casualty Avoidance Training (CAT) in Gloversville, N.Y., is a three-day seminar for all people, groups, military or police to train. According to the Web site, www.casualtyavoidance.com, the course is “designed and taught by a combat-hardened Navy seal, eighth degree Kempo master and professional body guard.”
This course is designed more aggressively than the UMaine course because it teaches lethal techniques. The first day consists of orientation to body and mechanics and autonomic responses as well as an introduction to holds, grabs, locks, breaks, killing and felling techniques. Day two is review, combination moves and real life situation training. Day three finishes it off with more practice of the combination moves, discussion and dealing with street scenarios such as parking garages, elevators, rape, multiple attackers, etc. All this information is available at the slightly steep price of $2,200 per person.
