Eva Cheng

Junior Sofia Shah practices a technique to defend against an attack from the ground. CEO of Wushu Central Martial Arts Academy David Chang taught the class, demonstrating simple maneuvers that could prove life saving in an assault.

FEM Club hosted a self-defense class led by CEO of Wushu Central Martial Arts Academy David Chang to teach students and faculty skills to protect themselves against physical assault during lunch on Wednesday.

“The scary thing is that it’s actually very likely to happen,” Chang said. “Statistically, one in every three women in the United States will be physically assaulted sometime in their life. In fact, in college, one out of every four women will be sexually assaulted, so you have to know what to do if and when that happens to you so that you will be able to keep yourself safe.”

Chang focused on how to defend against three common scenarios: hitting, grabbing and choking. If an attacker strikes repeatedly at the head, Chang taught participants to interlace their fingers behind their neck to protect their spinal cord. In the event of a headlock, victims should shrug their shoulders and turn their head to prevent the attacker from gaining a firm grip around their neck. 

While these possibilities may seem unlikely, FEM Club Adviser Donna Gilbert explained the very real fears that inspired the event. 

“It came out of a conversation we had about things that you worry about in life as a female,” Gilbert said. “We talked about how we carry pepper spray even when we go walking around our neighborhood and wondered how many other people do it too.”

Chang emphasized how reacting immediately can immensely increase one’s odds of survival, as the victim can use the element of surprise to throw the attacker off guard long enough to escape from the situation.

Sophomore Alexis Leo expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to learn often-overlooked life skills. 

“I was inspired to go to the self-defense class because I had no experience in self-defense,” Alexis said. “Lately I feel like it’s been getting a lot more dangerous for anybody, even women and young teenagers, to go outside alone. I will definitely try to practice those tactics with my friends in order to make sure I know how to do it.”