<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4G8wnS_0w6q2dca00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4G8wnS_0w6q2dca00" width="1200" height="675" ></figure>Comprehensive and realistic self-defense tactics and techniques are offered to students and members of the community at the campus recreational center.“If nothing else, be aware of your surroundings, just looking up, looking people in the face, only having one headphone in as all of these things can lead to awareness and awareness is 90% of self-defense education,” said Helena Skibbe, a certified Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) instructor.“The only conflict you’re guaranteed to get out of is the one that you’re never in,” Skibbe said.Among undergraduate students, 23.1% of females and 5.4% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation, according to the Center for Sexual Relationship Violence Support Services.“Stand your ground and let people know that you will not be pushed or accept being treated as less than,” Skibbe said.The course is designed to empower anyone who can experience gender-based violence by teaching techniques to reduce risk in potentially dangerous situations and provide hands-on training.“I hope to learn more self-defense skills and also to feel more confident in defending myself,” freshman William Turner said.Turner said they are taking this course due to a recent incident that made them feel uncomfortable at a punk show.“Gender-based violence applies to anyone who is a gender-based minority: women, nonbinary, transgender, anything under that umbrella,” Skibbe said. “It’s violence based on how you can be perceived in society.”Skibbe’s course provides quick and easy skills that anyone can use on the fly, she said.“They’re really important to learn and have in your back pocket because they are quick and they are not something complicated or something that takes weeks or years to build,” Skibbe said. The course gives students skills that they can apply right now and in real life. The 11-week course will continue every Monday and Wednesday evening in the Rec Center’s combative studio through Nov. 20. The course is $55 for students, $65 for members and $75 for non-members.Students can register here.Lauren Bischof is a beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Self-defense course works to empower community

Comprehensive and realistic self-defense tactics and techniques are offered to students and members of the community at the campus recreational center. “If nothing else, be aware of your surroundings, just looking up, looking people in the face, only having one headphone in as all of these things can lead to awareness and awareness is 90% of self-defense education,” said Helena Skibbe, a certified Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) instructor.