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, November 23, 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 circumstances. Class participants will gain confidence, knowledge, and the skills to protect themselves in this hands-on program. Topics covered will include situation avoidance and prevention, self-defense, and improvised defense tools.

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.

Participants should be women and girls ages 13 and older, and they should wear loose-fitting comfortable clothing.

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

To participate in the self-defense classes pre-register now by calling the YWCA at 419.238.6639.  For more information contact Program Director Rebecca Beech at the above number.

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