In support of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the HLGU Athletic Department is offering a free self-defense seminar on Tuesday, October 31, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Mabee Sports Complex.
Demonstrations for the event will be led by Professor Beau Viehmann, head instructor at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with assistance from Charles Rapp, assistant baseball coach at HLGU.
HLGU鈥檚 public safety department has long encouraged campus-wide participation in exposing and preventing sexual assault, giving the athletics department the idea to host a self-defense event.
鈥淪elf-defense is important for everyone,鈥� said Jason Nichols, athletic director. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good for anyone to be prepared for the unexpected.聽Most people that are assaulted thought that it wouldn鈥檛 happen to them. Holding a self-defense seminar is a way to be proactive and prepared.鈥�
HLGU also combats against sexual assault through the club Students Against Sexual Assault (SASA), a student-lead organization set on promoting awareness of the existence of sexual assault, domestic abuse, and human trafficking. SASA events will focus on promoting awareness, prevention, and support for victims.
鈥淲e see self-defense training as just another opportunity to educate and prepare students for their futures,鈥� said Jake King, staff sponsor of SASA.
鈥淎s educators and administrators, our goal is to always keep our students in the forefront of what we do. Keeping them safe, teaching them to protect themselves and others, and how to diffuse situations is a part of that.鈥�