East police focus on safety for women with self-defence classes
“Participants were trained how to get out of different grips by keeping their hands open and to look for the attacker’s weak points.”
The Brooklyn police are training women of all ages in basic self-defence for their safety.
On Monday evening a group of about 60 female students from the Madelief Residence in Hatfield were trained and on Wednesday morning female officers from Tshwane Metro Police Department’s Women’s Forum.
Police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said the basic Crime Buster self-defence training entails techniques that are simple and effective.
“The purpose is to empower women and children to be able to defend themselves against abuse, attack and rape.
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“Participants were trained to get out of different grips by keeping their hands open and to look for the attacker’s weak points.”
She said the idea was not to fight with the attacker but to get loose and to safety.
“Part of the training is a presentation on personal safety and crime prevention,” she said.
“Every person, no matter where she/he is, must be aware of crime risks and should take basic steps to ensure their own safety.”
Weilbach said the women, especially the students, were also warned during the training about excessive drinking.
“Rape and sexual assaults are far more likely to take place when alcohol abuse is involved. Therefore, alcohol must be used in a responsible manner.”
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She said intoxication can make one take risks which they would normally avoid, such as letting a stranger walk them home, accept a lift from a stranger, meet a stranger at their home or engage in unsafe sex.
“The use of date rape drugs is still a concern.”
According to Weilbach both men and women can be drugged for the purpose of sexual assault or robbery.
“Many rape victims wake up the next morning without remembering anything or very little from the previous evening.”
She urged women to be vigilant and acquire basic self-defence techniques.
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