Data does not lie. Statistics show that sexual violence is common. More than half of young women have experienced such violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes. One in four women have experienced attempted or completed rape. These statistics were derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While many could argue there are many ways to prevent this type of assault, one irrefutable method to avoid becoming the victim of sexual assault is to offer self-defense courses in high school – particularly a school like NDB, which is empowering young women in every other area.
Just in late February, 22-year-old University of Georgia nursing student, Laken Riley was found dead after she was reported missing from a morning run. Could self-defense have saved her life?
NDB, being an all girls, college-preparatory school, should offer a class designed to educate the students in self-defense, both physically and psychologically, before graduation. Currently, it offers physical education (PE) and yoga courses through the kinesiology department.
Head of School Meredith Essalat ‘98 agrees that self-defense should be built into the PE curriculum. She remembers taking a similar class when she was a student – something she draws on very often as a San Francisco resident.
“I would love to see NDB offer coursework in the area of self-defense and safety. I remember taking this class when I was a student here, and I have to say, I still recall tips and techniques, even today,” said Essalat.
She also said she would entertain the creation of a self-defense class, should there be “student buy-in.”
“For classes to run, especially new ones, we need to know that we have student buy-in,” said Essalat. “I’m so excited for the new classes that are in this year’s course catalog. But, if there is the desire from our student body for a self-defense class, then the administration wants to know that, so that we can look to add it to the catalog next year.”
As the Class of 2024 embarks on their collegiate journeys this fall, they will be faced with many circumstances. Fortunately, many will be positive, but for those that are not, it would be beneficial and potentially life-saving if they were prepared with self-defense techniques that would allow them to control the ending of their story.
NDB families are seeing this to be a vital preparatory skill to have. In fact, there are at least 11 students who are currently enrolled in and taking self-defense classes in the area to prepare themselves for college. These girls are also utilizing other life-saving self-defense items, such as pepper spray, personal alarms and whistles to alert passersbys, should they meet danger.
A recent CDC report titled, “Sexual Violence on Campus: Strategies for Prevention” identified that, “Studies show that one in five women experienced attempted or completed sexual assault during her college years.” I have four very close friends at NDB. According to statistics, one of us will face an ungodly fate in college. This very fact alone should be the persuasive anecdote to propel our school to offer this class.
Expanding on this, with roughly 100 senior graduating and CDC statistics proving that one in five women face sexual assault. If NDB offered this class, it would give 25 of us the chance to change this statistic.
Just think about Laken Riley and how all she was hoping to do on the morning of February 22 was to get some exercise. Instead, she was met with death. Her experience demonstrates how learning self-defense skills might provide young women with the opportunity to successfully defend themselves.
