DOVE Center and the Personal Safety Coalition are ramping up for the next round of a self-defense course starting in January that emphasizes empowerment, respect, and safety in relationships and life. The DOVE Center self-protection class incorporates classroom work with the practice of defense tactics in the gym. It is available to DSU students and community members, male and female, ages 15 and up. Participants are encouraged to take the class with family members or friends in order to strengthen mutual resolve to fight for personal safety.
Michaella Mecham, a junior at DSU studying elementary education, completed the course just a few weeks ago. She was happily surprised with the way her knowledge from the DOVE Center self-protection course applied to her other studies and personal relationships.
“The personal benefit of increased confidence is priceless!” Mecham said. “I found a warrior inside of me that I never knew existed. This new knowledge has given me strength, both physically and mentally.”
The goal of the DOVE Center self-protection course is to increase each student’s personal sense of self-worth and ability to live safely in society. Created by retired DSU professor Tim Eicher, the course encompasses a holistic approach to understanding the sociology of rape culture, self-defense, and components of healing from trauma. Eicher teams up with Sasha Trae to teach the course each semester.
The DOVE Center self-protection class creates a safe space for students to ask sensitive questions, share personal stories, and strengthen individual confidence. Student Rachel Paul felt empowered specifically by the gym work.
“No matter what situation comes up, I have learned something I can go to,” she said. “I have learned I can fight [back].”
As students learn about common attack tactics and rape culture in the classroom, that knowledge is reinforced and strengthened while they hone their fighting skills in the gym.
“When we use our bodies around knowledge, the knowledge is somehow integrated in a way that is really special; the combination is powerful,” said Eicher. “You can see students’ lives changing simply from taking the course.”
DSU student Alivia Bulloch says that the most important thing she learned from the course is that sexual assault happens here in St. George.
“I was surprised to learn how real the problem is,” she said. “I was nervous before [the class], but now I’m comforted knowing I can always protect myself. I want to learn more about these issues.”
Elizabeth Bluhm, a DOVE Center victim’s advocate, took the class with her teenage daughter last summer.
“My work experience has taught me that the vast majority of sexual assaults are perpetrated by people the victims know and trust,” said Bluhm. “This class helps you learn to identify manipulative and coercive behaviors as relationship red flags. You come to recognize the necessity of establishing healthy personal boundaries and communicating them clearly. Respecting your own boundaries, and requiring others to as well, is your first line of defense.”
This type of awareness is a first step in personal safety and empowerment.
“We are all experts on danger, we just don’t know it,” said Eicher.
To discover your inner warrior through the DOVE Center self-protection class, call (435) 628-1204 and enroll by the registration deadline of Wednesday, Jan. 6. Two class sections are available starting either Jan. 12 or 13, and each runs for sixteen weeks.
If you are a victim of relationship violence, rape, or sexual assault, call DOVE Center’s 24-hour helpline at (435) 628-0458 to get connected to services and resources for healing.
