Self-defense

Tools

By Brenda Bassett

Story Published: Apr 12, 2010 at 5:45 AM MST

Story Updated: Apr 12, 2010 at 5:45 AM MST

BILLINGS - One in six women and 1 in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. That's according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. A self-defense class doesn't guarantee you'll escape unharmed if attacked, but it does increase your changes.

Chelsea King was raped and murdered while she was running in southern California in February. A convicted sex offender is charged with her death. It's another numbing reminder that an attack can happen anywhere and to anyone. Self-defense experts say you need to be prepared whether you're on a campus, a city street or even close to home.

"I usually kind of run into my apartment, so I don't have to encounter anybody or those kind of situations," said student Ashley Dear. Even in a relatively safe community such as Billings, it's important to be familiar with your surroundings and always being aware. "I would know girls who have been assaulted and/or raped because they were in the wrong part of town at the wrong time. I know to avoid places where it's dark or there could be that aspect of danger," said Dear.

"In today's society it's important that everyone know just a little bit of something," said Chi-Tu Do Instructor Dennis Forleo. A self-defense class offers different techniques of escape and defense, but it can also show how to size up any potentially dangerous situation.

"If I was gonna jab you in the eye, the heads are gonna come up, bodies gonna turn-away, naturally. And so, if you know that, then you know which opening is gonna be next. Then you've got your set of targets and if you hit the next target and you hit it with enough force to create another injury, you're gonna get another spiral reflex," said Forleo

And, knowing your options can help you be more assertive when faced with a potential threat. Forleo said a little bit of training to heighten those instincts can help you defend yourself, but more importantly keep you from being caught in a situation you may not be able to escape.

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