Sorority sisters at the University of Illinois came together last week to stand up against potential predators on campus.
The women participated in the T.A.K.E Defense Training workshop where they learned a variety of self-defense mechanisms. T.A.K.E Defense’s slogan, “It’s more than Girl Power. It’s You Power!” addresses the fact that individually, women must remain strong and aggressive, especially in a life-threatening situation.
While walking around, especially at night, women must stay alert because crime in a common occurrence on campus. The workshop provided many different types of tips and tricks to use in case of a dangerous situation.
Bob Leiker, T.A.K.E. Defense Training instructor, focused on teaching the Illini students that not only can they use physical moves to defend themselves, but they should also use their voices. Screaming and making loud noises were an essential aspect of his lesson
The four main defense mechanisms the women learned focused on attacking a predator’s eyes, nose, throat and groin. Working in partners, everyone had a chance to practice the moves throughout the two-hour workshop.
Jen Rowley, UIUC senior, believes that women should become more alert walking around on campus because we often take for granted our safety. “We get crime alerts, and we never really consider that as [important.] I should look out for that,” she said. “You know, crime alerts are just people we don’t know and places we’re familiar with, and we don’t really take it seriously.”
Ewa Kaszuba, a UIUC senior, said that workshops like T.A.K.E. Defense Training are very beneficial. “It’s an easy way to know at least the ABCs of knowing what to do in that kind of situation,” she said. “We won’t always have another person on our team to combat a potential aggressor, so knowing what to do when you’re by yourself makes it possible to optimize our safety on campus.”
Kaszuba also added that as a woman, knowing how to defend oneself is very important. “I like knowing that I can defend myself because to me, that’s reflective to a substantial degree of the power I wield as a woman,” she said. “I don’t need a knight in shining armor if I’m a princess who can kick ass.”
Leiker closed his workshop with a few insightful words aimed at bringing UIUC women together to create a defensive environment. Looking out and taking care of one another is essential to prevent catastrophe.
“Ya’ll have a sisterhood, you need to make it a little bit stronger,” Leiker said.
Overall, Leiker’s message was to always stay alert and make sure someone knows your whereabouts at all times.
Kaszuba added that the U of I has safe alternatives than walking alone. “I stay protected by walking with friends during the night time, taking public transportation, Safe Rides or even Safe Walks when a friend isn’t available, and I also have a rape whistle and a little pepper spray bottle” she said. “But if I didn’t have any these things, I also have the knowledge of how to defend myself anyway. Can’t be too careful!”