YWCA offers women’s self-defense class

VW independent/submitted information

The YWCA of Van Wert County will be offering a free one-night self-defense class for women on Monday, April 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. The class is provided by the Van Wert Self Defense Team and is one more way women can be empowered.

The self-defense classes are designed to teach women how to avoid dangerous situations and what they should do when faced with an unavoidable, unsafe circumstance. Class participants will gain confidence, knowledge, and the skills to protect themselves in this hands-on program. No experience is necessary.

Class instructors include Rick Busch and Ed Klausing. Busch is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do with many years of experience, including several years of experience teaching martial arts, self-defense, and rape prevention classes and seminars. Klausing is a third-degree black belt and also has experience in teaching various martial arts.

Adult participants should be women and girls ages 13 and older and should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Pre-register by calling the YWCA at 419.238.6639.

According to the Department of Justice, one in five teenagers and young women has been a victim of some form of dating violence, while there are nearly 189,000 victims of sexual assault and rape annually; don’t become a statistic, learn how to protect oneself now.

For more information contact YWCA Program Director Rebecca Beech at the above number.

The YWCA is a United Way and Van Wert County Foundation funded agency.