UOW has provided women’s self-defense classes to empower female students and teach them prevention strategies to support their safety.
The National Student Safety Survey (NSSS) 2021 report collected data from 38 universities and found that one in six or 16.1 per cent of students had been sexually harassed, since starting university and that one in 20 or 4.5 per cent had experienced sexual assault.
PhD psychologist and martial arts instructor, Sally Lai has taught Krav Maga for 15 years and has fostered a safe group for women to feel empowered and confident so that they can respond to potentially violent situations.
“Leaving everything to the external environments is not in my best interest, I will like to be able to do whatever I can to help,” Ms Lai said.
“I think we can influence our outcomes and change what happens to us, and so why not do everything we can to keep ourselves safe.”
Research has shown that a study on sex roles, that feminist self-defense programs improve self-efficacy, increased alertness, and enhanced feelings of perceived control for women who have previously experienced sexual assault.
A UOW student Mia Wilson participated in the workshop and said that it was liberating being in an all female class, who supported each other.
“We learnt to de-escalate a situation by screaming and telling someone to stop rather than smiling and giggling,” Ms Wilson said.
UOW Safe and Responsible Communities has worked towards providing strategies and safe spaces for women to feel confident in their abilities and supported in their environment.
“We as women often put ourselves last which is a great attribute but in certain situations that can get in the way keeping ourselves safe,” Ms Lai said.
For more information on the classes the organisation has a website at: www.power2selfprotect.com/our-people