Local women taught to never tap out
“Gary is a big man, and believe me, when his hands are around your neck and he's sitting on top of you, you realise that without these skills you have very little chance of escaping the situation.”
On Saturday, 28 November rape activist, Leilani Kuter and Gary Lewis who specialises in anti-rape techniques and ladies’ self-defence, held a well-attended self-defence class at the Roodepoort Athletics Stadium in Ruimsig.
The attendees braved the rainy weather from 10am till 12 noon to learn the techniques through Gary’s method of hands-on teaching that is so much more effective than just being told to ‘kick in the groin, poke the eyes’ etc.
“Leilani and Gary, thank you for the most life-changing and worthwhile class I’ve ever attended. Gary is a big man, and believe me, when his hands are around your neck and he’s sitting on top of you, you realise that without these skills you have very little chance of escaping the situation. I no longer feel like a victim and I am confident that the self-defence techniques learnt today will most certainly help should I ever find myself in a dangerous and vulnerable position again,” said one of the attendees, Rita Green.
Through her NPC, Yellow For Survivors, Leilani strives to raise funds for organisations that help rape survivors or victims of gender-based violence (GBV).
She revealed to the Northsider that they are also planning to organise self-defence classes for kids, and encourage all women and children to attend at least one of the sessions in order to feel empowered by learning techniques that could mean the difference between life and death.
Cheryl Boudan Schuller who also attended the classes said, “Thank you for teaching us self-defence methods today, I am eternally grateful”.
Gary also teaches skills to woman and children to prevent a kidnappings related to human trafficking.
During the 16 days of Activism against GBV, the free sessions are sponsored by Yellow For Survivors and made possible by SPAR.
The next self-defence session will be held at Curves Strubens Valley on Tuesday, 8 December from 9.30am till 11.30am. Book via Nickey on 082 553 0658.
