Parents and other women were out in full force at Cradlestone Mall on November 27 for an iLead self-defence workshop. The class included tips and tricks that people can use to protect themselves should they ever be attacked. Young kids were shown ways they could defend themselves in case they were ever grabbed. Founder, Risha Harie said the event was in support of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign.

If someone grabs you or attacks you, use your voice to set verbal boundaries. Shout out commands instead of just screaming. The minute you feel threatened, yell ‘No!’”

There were women of all ages, hoping to learn a trick or two to protect themselves against danger. Risha advised participants to stand against a wall when they are on the phone in a public place. This makes it much harder to be grabbed from behind or to be caught off guard.

The workshop also included ways parents can protect their children from being taken. Parents paired with their children and role-played different scenarios where they could be grabbed and how to get out of them. “If somebody grabs you from behind, wiggle and kick until you are free or land on the ground. The second you get on the ground, start kicking so that it is harder to grab you. If someone grabs you by the leg, roll to the other side to free yourself. I kid that is kicking or wiggling is much harder to grab.” Jeanette Brill, one of the women in attendance said, “This class is very good. It’s fantastic because it teaches you how to defend yourself. I never thought of things like these. It is excellent.”

Simonne Prinsloo said the class was brilliant. “I need to do this more often to create that muscle memory and have these as reflexes.” Contact iLead on 011 021 2031