These past two semesters a man from “The Brave Way” returned to Antioch Community High School to teach women (and some males) how to defend themselves. This semester was the first time I was finally able to experience it.

I have a friend who was been attacked by an ex-boyfriend and couldn’t do anything to defend herself and that made me wonder what I would ever do in that situation. I honestly was a little skeptical at first. If a 250-pound male tried attacking me, what could I really do? But this class really did help. I feel like in a situation where my life or privacy was threatened I would be able to do something to try and help myself.

My gym class only has six girls and every other gym class already took it, so it was just us. It was very easy to follow along with everything the instructor had us do. I didn’t know I felt about an adult male teaching me how to defend myself against males, but he was really passionate about his job. He really just wants all females to know how to defend themselves and to be safe. He even said “it’s embarrassing to be a guy sometimes.”

The instructions weren’t confusing. It was easy to follow along for my partner and I. The defense mechanisms are small things that can make a big difference; finger breaking, throat/eye jabbing, ear grabbing and slapping. These small things can help to get away in a situation. But, he didn’t stop there. He broke it down to almost every possible situation you can find yourself in. After taking the self defense I learned how to protect myself if someone tried sexually assaulting me,  if they grabbed me from behind, if they pinned me down or if they had a knife/gun.

I really learned the extent of my own strength. I feel like if anything did happen I do know how to defend myself and how to keep myself safe. I know all the dangers of being a female and it really is nice of The Brave Way to help provide inexpensive self defense and for our school to understand these dangers and provide The Brave Way for us.

I really suggest that every girl, and guy, in the school takes this when it’s available again. Don’t be nervous to be taught by a guy because he really just wants to help. Also, don’t think that this stuff may never happen to you because the scary reality is that it could. No one wants to think that they’re going to be attacked, but it is possible.