Sometimes I talk to female friends of mine about self defense. They kinda stare at me… They probably do not think it is very feminine, or ladylike. They have different problems to worry about, like what prom dress does my daughter want to buy. It should be beautiful, she should look beautiful. How will we do her hair and her nails??
Shouldn’t she ask herself how do I protect myself and especcially my precious daughter from a possible attack by a man, most likely her date. One out of 4 girls gets attacked, abused or raped in college by somebody she knows.
I recently joined the Simsbury Connecticut Rotary club. The speaker last week was Rotarian Vince Tully. Vince gave an informative and energetic presentation on some of the issue of violent and sexually abusive behavior towards women. Vince discussed the issue of sexual violence here in America on our college campuses.
He told us the story of rape survivor Laura Dunn and her involvement with the group PAVE that works to help victims of sexual assault and raise awareness on the topic with both men and women. Vince asked that we all do our part to raise awareness on this issue. A number of Rotarians spoke up in support of Vince stating the importance of both educating young males on this issue as well as training females of all ages to protect themselves from unwanted advances.
So while you are out shopping for a prom dress for your daughter, why not discuss what she needs to know about protecting herself from unwanted advances from her date? Have her watch a few instructional videos about the simple moves she can make that could keep her safe and send a very clear signal to her date: NO! Better yet, suggest that she takes a few self defense classes for women BEFORE she goes off to college. It could save her life.
Watch this short video clip from the movie Miss Congeniality. Sandra Bullock demonstrates the S.I.N.G. maneuver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97JIFQzw8NM&feature=related
About the writer: Dorien Boon van Ostade is an advanced student of the martial arts, an active member of the Soroptimist organization and a Rotarian. Originally from the Netherlands, Dorien and her family have lived all over world. Mother of three boys, Dorien volunteers her time and expertise to help women and children.
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