Article Photos

Fact Box

Kick it

Tiffin Dragons Martial Arts Club

Tuesday and Thursday 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday noon-2 p.m.

Free to students or staff

$30 fee to the public

(419) 448-3345

Mixed Martial Arts Club

Tuesday and Thursday 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Free to students

$25 per month for community

(419) 618-2985 for further information.

Rape. Assault.

Words that, with recent assaults in Tiffin, have shown area residents the city is not immune.

Anyone should be prepared to protect themselves. There are groups for martial arts teaching self defense at Heidelberg College and Tiffin University.

Vincent Moore, instructor for Tiffin Dragons Martial Arts Club, and Steve Velasquez, instructor for Heidelberg College's Mixed Martial Arts Club, recently shared what to do if being attacked.

First is prevention

Whether in the home or outside, always be aware of the surroundings. With IPods and text messaging it is easy to be pulled away from what is happening.

For Velasquez, the most important weapon is a person's brain.

"Keep your wits. The most important weapon for a woman is her brain. Don't drink to excess or be under the influence of drugs," Velasquez said.

He advises to always be scanning and looking at who is approaching.

Walk or jog with a friend or dog. Do this in a public space where help may be nearby and do this with purpose and authority, not with shoulders hunched and head down.

"One way to avoid being harassed on the street is to walk like you have a purpose," Moore said. "People who walk around meek and have that closed off body language, they're screaming 'victim.'"

If someone approaches too closely, Moore said its okay to speak up.

"Tell them to back off. That way, someone around you may know something's starting," Moore said.

Another protective measure is to lock all doors and windows to a residence and a car.

If attacked

The U.S. Department of Justice recently released crime statistics for 2006, the most current year available. There were more than 255,630 reports of rape or sexual assault being reported in the country.

While the goal is to not be in the situation, a person may find themselves threatened.

"The first thing is to react. Their first moves are to terrorize and scare you. They grab you and throw you down, swear at you and threaten you, and that's all to keep you from reacting," Moore said.

A home invasion will more likely be a surprise. It is important to get out of the home if possible. If that's not possible, be prepared to fight. The faster a person reacts the harder it is to throw them down.

"Women need to know it's okay (to fight and yell). If she's said 'no,' he's fair game," said Jaimie Orr, a certified martial arts instructor.

Everyday objects can be weapons

Velasquez said mace, guns and other weapons can be taken away and used against a victim, where hands and feet can not.

"I teach hand-to-hand. What do you need to survive." Velasquez said.

Moore and Velasquez said 80 percent of women who fight back succeed.

Most people keep a baseball bat beside the bed, but Moore did not suggest that because of their length they are easier to take away. He suggesting keeping hammers throughout the residence. A hammer is portable. They are easier to keep control of, and the strike can do damage.

Keys can be used to poke or rake across an attacker's eyes. Held with a couple keys poking out between the fingers it can be used to puncture skin. If they are on a strap, they can be swung with force. A purse can also be swung as a weapon or used as a shield.

A pen can be used to stab and to jab. Vulnerable areas are eyes, throat and the groin. A handful stone or dirt if outside can be hurled into the attackers face, possibly giving a person a moment to escape. A hardback book can be used as a shield or as a surprise weapon. Its corners can be used to poke and it can be used to hit, giving a person's reach a couple extra inches.

Using the body

The body is strong and can be used as a weapon.

"Think of your entire body as a weapon," Moore said.

If grabbed, start fighting. Flailing arms and kicking legs can momentarily stun an attacker giving enough time to run away.

"Women's legs are comparable (in strength) to a man." Velasquez said.

"Remember the groin, eyes and ears, nose, throat and shin are all vulnerable areas," said William Wettrich, a student and self defense instructor.

He said a person should not panic if they find themselves on the ground.

"Kick from all directions. We become aggressors on the ground," Moore said.

As an attacker reaches out he advises trying to kick at the fingers to cause pain and possibly jam them.

Wettrich said to remember to be vocal.

"Yell 'fire' instead of 'rape' or 'help,'" Wettrich said.

Survive

While it is not easy for most people to attack and hurt someone, the key to survival is to be aware and to be prepared.

"I prepare what natural talents there are. Fight with everything you got," Velasquez said.