Women don’t have to be victims of sexual predators and muggers. We’ve been stereotyped as the ‘helpless little woman’ for so long it’s been allowed to become a part of our subconscious reality.
A young woman was assailed on February 12, 2006 while walking on the 1200 block of West Farwell. She was threatened with a weapon and sexually assaulted. On February 11, 2006 a woman living on the 6700 block of North Lakewood was the victim of a home invasion and could easily have been a victim of rape. The assailant gained entry by raising a kitchen window and reaching in and unlocking the back door. The victim awoke when the assailant entered her bedroom. According to the police report, “a struggle ensued and the offender fled through the back door”
These incidents are all too common and frequent around college campuses, in parks, even downtown. Rape is a crime of hate. A predator will attack any woman, any age, if his rage is in control. I'm concerned by the manner some of us walk around with those cute little purses dangling from the shoulders, eyes darting around showing fear. Fear is just what a mugger or rapist is looking for.
That's why there will be a Self-Defense Workshop for Women on March 25 at Loyola Park from 11:30am-1:30pm. It's not to learn kung-fu or any other kick and kill techniques but more of an overview of being aware of one's surroundings, aware of self and others around. I'm certain simple self-defense techniques will be taught. It's free to all Rogers Park women and their daughters.
Leslie of IMPACTCHICAGO did a great abbreviated workshop during a CAPS meeting in the spring of 2005. Afterwards, Eva and I discussed having a workshop for women only to raise the comfort level therefore the learning value. Following the November, 2005 abduction of a young woman on Howard/East Lake Terrace, it became apparent that we needed an education on protecting ourselves.
Special thanks to Cary Steinbuck of RPCC's Victim Advocacy Support Program and Alderman Joe Moore for co-sponsoring the event. Please spread the word to all women in Rogers Park to attend this free workshop. You may contact me at toniduncan7@aol.com if you would like an adobe or powerpoint of the flyer, or if you would like a sign-up sheet to circulate. Please drop me a note to let me know you will be attending. (I’ve received several to date) The number of registrants will determine which room the Park District will provide for the workshop.
None of us should be a victim.
3 comments:
I took Impacts classes when they were called "Model Mugging". If this is the same deal, these are great classes. Mine was a several week class- once a week.
The idea is to work past that "victim freeze" mode that happens to many people. It was very empowering and I still have the impact of the class even today years after having taken it.
Dear Toni,
Thank you and others for putting together this great seminar. I will not let anything get in the way of attending.
You hit the nail on the head when you stated that women need to overcome the "victim" mentality. Truth is, we are STILL less likely to be the victims of violent assault than our male brethren,but our surrounding society uses the threat of violence to keep us submissive and reclusive. Crime is depicted almost strictly as a problem for women, and men are seen to having nothing to be afraid of. Therefore, not only is it lifesaving to have at our disposal techniques for street servival and heading off assaults, but it is empowering as well.
Which leads me to the men. There should definately be a Streets Smarts seminar for the guys, for over the months I have read posts from men who have departed the neighborhood because they are jumped, in broad daylight, by gangs of guys who beat the crap out them and tell them to get out of "our" hood, but worst of all men are 92% of the murder victims in Chicago, and 76% of murder victims nationwide; and they are still a third more likely than women to be victims of violent assault, even though violence against women is definately risen since 1980. Men seem less alert to looming threats than women, and they more often do such unwise things as getting into verbal disputes with male strangers on the street. Often, when men are jumped and beaten, they do not even report the event to the police. Therefore, I think a seminar is needed for them, because the stats are horrifying in the picture they paint. Men don't live long enough as it is.
These rough, approximate figures come from the U. S. Dept. of Justice.
I agree. Perhaps one of the gentlemen bloggers would like to spearhead a workshop for men?
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