Self-defense
workshop held by WRC
By
Amber Parker
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
One out of every three women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime, some
before they are even 18.
This startling fact made a few women gasp Wednesday night during a self-defense
workshop for women. Eighteen women showed up for the free session. Despite
the diversity of the group it was clear they all shared a common interest ——to
increase confidence in their abilities and to feel empowered.
The self-defense workshop was open only to women, making it the only program
provided by the Women’s Resource Center that operates on a gender basis.
Lynne Coenen, assistant director of the center, explained the “source
of strength” for men and women is different. The self-defense workshop
is an “empowerment model,” in which women are teaching women.
The workshop was run by certified self-defense instructor Evelin Barragan.
She has also been the director of prevention education for the Sexual Assault
Crisis Agency [SACA] for the last 2.5 years. SACA is a non-profit organization
that has been providing services to victimized women in Long Beach for about
30 years. The group is funded by the National Organization of Women.
She believes women should have access to self-defense training without being
hindered by huge costs.
But the real big picture is to show women they can be assertive and aware.
By awareness, Barragan said she means for all women to be observant of their
surroundings as well as follow their intuition. The problem is so many women
have difficulty being assertive because women are confined to society’s
standards to act like a lady, meaning they have to follow the rules.
Several of Barragan’s friends have experienced some form of sexual assault;
even Barragan herself has been in an uncomfortable situation. A man at a grocery
store inched closer to her in one of the checkout lines until she finally felt “physically
overpowered.” She”responded, “Excuse me sir can you step
back!” From this assertive behavior she was able to scare him out of
the store.
Barragan said she feels women are blamed for being sexually assaulted when,
in reality, it is not their fault.
The workshop began with participants forming a large circle. Next, they were
asked to put their right hand on the shoulder of the person to their right.
She then had each person turn left and assertively tell her neighbor “take
your hand off my shoulder.”
This did not seem difficult for some. This activity was meant to show how using
your voice to speak up is essential.
Next came the physical aspect of the workshop. Barragan stated the basic weak
points of an attacker, which included the eyes, nose, groin, knees and feet.
The importance of choosing to fight back is that you need to be 110 percent
sure you will commit, she said.
One of the more important theories of self-defense is the element of surprise.
Basically one can only use a specific move once on the attacker because after
it is used the attacker will know what to expect. One of the most exhilarating
part of the workshops was the chance for the women to scream and yell. The
instructor called it the ovarian yell. Victims have their own weapons: their
brains, hands, limbs, knees, kicks and voices. What women have to do is use
their strengths against an attacker’s weaknesses.
Izola Phillips, a junior at Cal State Long Beach, was all smiles after the
workshop finished. She appreciated how the women made it more comfortable for
her to express herself.
“
I feel so empowered,” she said.
Veronica Medina, also a junior at CSULB, had previously taken a self-defense
class, but felt she forgot most of the basics.
She described the workshop as a refresher, and said there is always more to
learn.
Barragan suggests every woman take several kinds of self-defense classes because
each one is different.
“
I don’t feel helpless,” Medina said. “Sometimes you don’t
have a chance to run.”
“
At some point you have to face the attacker, stand up for yourself because
size does not matter,” Medina said.
Another free workshop will be held March 18 at Long Beach City College.
Call Evelin Barragan at (562) 989-0309 for more information. All attendees
must make a reservation.
For more information on self-defense classes or sexual assaults visit the Women’s
Resource Center in LA3-105.
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