Fighting against accepting the victim's role

Why are women increasingly turning to self-defence? Rebecca Hanford went to Epsom's Alexandra Park Martial Arts Centre to find out

I am as guilty as the next women for thinking an assault situation happens to someone else somewhere else. But according to self-defence instructor Sarah Brier, who teaches at the Alexandra Park Martial Arts Centre, women have to learn how to defend themselves. She said: "The first step is coming in, having a women only group allows women to gain confidence and to laugh at themselves".

I went to a small class at the Martial Arts Centre to see for myself why women have been signing up for these courses. The session started with extensive acclimatising including warming up and stretching to raise the heart rate. Then by breaking the moves down to form a sequence, the simplicity of the moves becomes obvious and easier to learn.

Miss Brier advised that gentle lunges and taps allow you to "get a feel for how far you want to go, move fast" she said "but control it". She warned to participants to say immediately if anything was too hard. The new courses being run at the centre recognise the need for a female-only class that allows women to be separated into self-defence and competitive groups. Justine Sweeting, who has been a fast learner in one of Miss Brier's classes said: "The only reason I came was because it was taught by a woman and I'd be intimidated at a men's group".

Steph Irfan, 28 decided to join the class to boost her confidence and fitness but is still worried when crossing the park to the classes as it has not much lighting. Despite the slight frame of both women they do really pack a punch as well as a ripping groin kick. However Miss Brier was keen to make the students aware of the reality that in a situation requiring women to use self-defence the most important thing is to then just "move away and never panic."

Alexandra Park adds to the effectiveness of the self-defence course, with its location lit by street lamps. Despite vandalism in other open areas the presence of the centre in the park has actually increased the feeling of safety amongst it's users. The move into the area of women's self defence at the centre has received a massive response, with many new groups being formed as all the groupings appear to work best in a peer group setting, from school children to older converts.

More than 20 enthusiastic women have joined up for the classes to be taught how to create the perception of confidence, and how to avoid contact. Those who attend either want to get into shape or take it one step further and try competitive light contact boxing.

The centre is hoping to expand into Epsom town centre to offer lunchtime classes to give everyone a chance to learn how to use their bodies to defend themselves. Simply not going out after dark is irrational according to the US self defence expert Lorne Coleman. He says: "Our culture's message to women is that all space at all times, belongs to men. Avoiding confrontation makes women accept this victim role. Women have to fight against it."

Iain Armstrong, chief instructor at Epsom agrees. He said: "If you're being submissive you're letting them in."

For more information on the classes available contact the centre on 01372 725 918.