Model and bodyguard team up to educate women about self-defence
FOURWAYS - “HE lured me out of the party and when we were alone, he grabbed my hair and pulled out a knife, I was paralysed with fear.”
These were the words of media personality Cleone Cassidy as she recalled her first violent sexual attack when she was 17 years old.
This traumatic experience ignited a journey of self-discovery for the model turned radio DJ, as she promised herself that she wouldn’t allow her experience to happen to any other woman. Cassidy has dedicated her career and life to raising awareness on sexual-based violence. She always felt that her story had so much more to offer women in terms of dealing with sexual predators, and believed that women should take back the power from their attackers.
Having a black belt in karate, Cassidy decided to partner up with well-known body guard, Johan Stuit to educate women about self-defence.
Stuit decided to leave his job as a construction developer to pursue his passion of being a self-defence instructor with a difference.
“I told my boss I could earn a lot less money doing something I love or earn a lot more and do something uninspiring, I chose the latter,” commented Stuit.
The duo began putting together a holistic programme that focused on training and educating women on how to deal with potential dangerous situations.
“We do not want to merely teach women how to fight or protect themselves, we want to teach them about prevention, what not to do and what to do,” said Stuit.
Their programme attempts to coach women and young girls to understand the ‘grooming’ process of sexual attackers and understand the reasons for their behaviour. Moreover, they teach women to identify red flag scenarios that could lead to a sexual attack. The physical aspect of the programme deals with self-preservation and awareness, and trains attendees how to psychically defend themselves with or without using a weapon.
