Women and self defense a useful combination Deidre Pike Contributing Writer t OLENCE against women V V may be on the rise but women can learn to fight b back ck Women can defend themselves themselves themselves them them- selves against an assault by increasing their awareness and by acquiring self defense skills according to Eddie LeBlanc LeBlanc Le Le- Blanc karate instructor LeBlanc recently ran a women's self defense clinic at atthe r the United Studios of Self Defense in West West Jordan Some women decide to take up self defense after they've been attacked One woman was assaulted in Mart K-Mart in the middle of the day said Le- Le Blanc Victims of rape may receive one or two lessons free of cha charge ge Women are taught to be aware of their surroundings For example in a parking lot women should check under cars look inside before opening opening opening open open- ing the he car door and lock the thedoor thedoor thedoor door immediately after entering entering entering enter enter- ing before turning on the ignition ignition ignition ig ig- ig- ig or hooking seat belts Stay near people and well- well lit areas said LeBlanc Self confidence is also stressed as an important factor factor factor fac fac- fac- fac tor in assaults A woman nee needs d s to toe express x pre s self I f a assurance assurance as as- s- s and make eye contact with other people Women who look timid are more likely likely likely like like- ly to be raped Women need to learn to use all of their senses said Le Le- Le- Le Blanc Looking into another persons person's eyes or at facial fadal expressions expressions expressions ex ex- ex- ex may help to identify a possible attacker A persons person's smell may warn a woman of the persons person's drug use Women should listen Is someone following close behind behind behind be be- hind Listen to the footsteps The length and heaviness of the steps can indicate the size and height of an attacker according according according ac ac- ac- ac cording to LeBlanc Women should always be prepared One simple way is to hold car keys sticking out between between be be- tween the fingers I saw a guy with his face slashed open from this said LeBlanc The defense techniques taught at United Studios of Self Defense include the use of a a four inch long metal cylinder that can be beu u used ed against an attacker at certain pressure points The bluntly spiked is made into a and training is necessary to demonstrate its use in various chokes and grabs Because most women are physically weaker than men they need to focus their defense on a mans man's weaker areas which include his toes shins knees neck and eyes Its lilts not al always always always al- al ways the best idea to kick a aman aman aman man in the groin area said LeBlanc It lilt will make him mad and hell he'll pound her for it Kicking or kneeing in the groin should be used only as a alast alast alast last resort and only with other kicks and punches Its It's important to say no and to resist said LeBlanc Whatever happens though women need to know that its it's not their fault They should never blame themselves Lw I Photo by Ed the Instructor shows women how to fend for themselves