Personal Safety--it's More Than Self Defense

By: Ashley Jones
Contact us for more info.

Being Proactive

Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Tai Chi are all popular forms of self defense. When many people think of learning self defense the first thing that comes to mind is learning physical moves to thwart an attacker. A physical response to an assault can be forcefully using hands, feet, elbows or knees against an attacker's sensitive and vulnerable target areas. While knowing physical defense moves can be important to keep yourself safe; it is actually a small part of what self defense actually is. The best defense to stay safe is being aware and using risk reduction strategies to avoid using Tai Chi or Karate skills. Being aware of the environment, surroundings, and learning to stay out of potentially dangerous situations is the first step to mastering self defense.

Tips for Staying Safe from the WSU Department of Safety:

1. Most crime is committed as a result of opportunity, so the best prevention is to eliminate opportunities.
2. Keep your residence doors, including dorm rooms, locked at all times.
3. Limit or restrict access to your living area.
4. Lock up wallets, purses, jewelry, cameras, and other valuables.
5. Report suspicious persons or activities when you see them.
6. Report safety hazards, unsafe lighting, and defective equipment.
7. Avoid walking alone at night. Let people know where you are going.
8. Plan your walk by choosing a safe, well lighted, and populated route.
9. Be aware of your surroundings. Know where you are and where you are going. Know what to expect.
10. Get to know your roommates and neighbors. Encourage checking on each other often.
Tips from www.wsu.edu/safety/safety_broc.pdf

Prevention

Taking a self defense class will not ensure safety but can drastically reduce the chance of an incident by developing awareness and the skills to act if a threatening situation were to arise. The Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Program is a course that is rooted in education and awareness. The RAD program has a foundation that includes lecture, discussion, and self defense techniques suitable for women of all abilities. University Recreation in conjunction with various other WSU departments will offer personal safety and self defense classes. The ASWSU was an important contributor to get the program started. Tommy Simmons, ASWSU Vice President said, "Our hope is that this program will help educate our students about being safe here at WSU as well as when they graduate."

Self Defense and Personal Safety Scholarships Available!

Full Scholarships are now available for any current WSU female undergraduate students that want to participate in a class. These grants are provided by the ASWSU Executives & The Bookie Dividend. Grant application forms are available online. Please visit urec.wsu.edu for more information on the Self Defense and Personal Safety class and to register. Please contact University Recreation for more information at 335-UREC.