The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Free self-defense classes offered to sorority women

Janel+Ellis%2C+26%2C+waiting+to+dab+blood+as+part+of+her+bio+duty.
Courtesy of Mark Kaplan
Janel Ellis, 26, waiting to dab blood as part of her “bio” duty.

Sorority members practiced self defense tactics Monday at Burleson Park. (Sidney Hollingsworth/The Daily Campus)

In response to the recent increase of sexual assaults and rapes around Southern Methodist University, Chamberlain Studios of Self Defense partnered with the Panehellenic Sororities of SMU to put on a free self-defense class for sorority women at Burleson Park on Monday, Nov. 5.

Before teaching any drills to the estimated 150 to 175 women in the class, head instructor Nick Chamberlain explained a few statistics about the typical sexual assault scenario. In a typical scenario women are attacked by someone they know, and 45 percent of these attacks are date rapes.

“Ninety-five percent is not learning how to fight, 95 percent is awareness,” Chamberlain said.”I am teaching you the five percent and it is up to you to do the rest.”

Chamberlain then demonstrated many different attack scenarios and had participants practice each one with a partner and self-defense instructor. The group had fun with the class and was eager to learn all the different exercises.

“I think the event turned out great and I definitely learned what to do if I am ever attacked, but what Nick Chamberlain said about fighting back only being five percent of it really freaked me out,” Kappa Kappa Gamma member Beth Nogalski said.
The event was a success – bringing members from all 8 sororities on campus together to learn how to fight back.

This semester, SMU students have received numerous email alerts about sexual assaults and rapes on or near campus, many of which involved SMU students. In the past, SMU students have felt safe and secure enough to walk around campus after dark, but now many female students have expressed fear to even walk home from the library after the sun goes down.

SMU has been aiming to create ways for students to get around after dark, but it is important that female students know how to defend themselves in case they get into a difficult situation.

Chamberlain not only taught the group different exercises of self-defense, but also gave the students advice about being aware of their surrounding at all times.

He suggested always being with a group of people, and not being afraid to fight off an attacker even if he or she is a friend.

After the class, many of the women who attended explained that they felt they learned a lot from the class and felt confident they would know what to do in an attack situation. 

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