Madison College’s South Campus held a self-defense class March, 29.

The class, hosted by the Program and Activities Council (PAC) staff, was taught by martial arts instructor Ed Glimme and his training partner Caitlin Beigler, both of La Crosse.

The self-defense class had a small turnout despite what statistics say about attacks on women.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports one in five women will experience rape during their lifetime. One in 20 women have experienced another type of sexual violence within the last year alone. The same findings state 19 percent of undergraduate students are the victims of attempted or completed sexual assault since entering college.

Glimme stated that while at the core both men and women have the same safety concerns, women often have more cause for alarm. “Women in general tend to be more alert about self-defense,” said Glimme. Men, he said, are typically concerned with how to defend women from other aggressive men.

The team demonstrated simple self-defense techniques that a victim of any size could use in a dangerous situation. The most sensitive areas on the human body are the ears, eyes, lower cheekbones and the hollow of the neck. A poke to the eyes will hurt an attacker no matter what their size or strength.

Another technique demonstrated in class was called the “bad dog.” The victim smears the attacker’s nose with the palm of their hand. Glimme and Biegler also demonstrated ways to break an attacker’s balance, and what to do if pinned to a wall or on the ground.

Glimme pointed out how these techniques can be enough to temporarily distract an attacker and allow a victim to get away. The idea is to stun an attacker and then run from the situation. If a victim is unable to drive away from the area, he suggests people head into a public place.

When confronted by a perpetrator people often forget to breathe. When people hold their breath in a stressful situation, Glimme said it often keeps the body and mind from working toward finding a solution to a problem. “Do not add excess scariness by holding your breath,” he added.

Glimme also emphasized that he did not expect people to remember everything they had learned that day. He wants people to walk away from the class with the knowledge of two or three techniques that can potentially be lifesavers.

“I feel like I am walking away with basics, but easy enough to use if I was in a situation where if someone was attacking me,” said student Anna Thiessen. She also added how she would benefit from more one-on-one time with an instructor and additional classes in the future.

The top safety advice Glimme offered to the class is to be aware of their environment and to set personal boundaries. If something seems suspicious, people should trust their instincts.

“Wake up. Pay attention. It is really awareness,” he said.

For more information on future PAC events, email [email protected] or call (608) 246-6495.