Interview with an 8th Grade Student:

Ronin: I would like to start by welcoming my friend Gina from our local Jr. High School.

Ronin: Hi Gina how are you today?

Gina: Ahmm…I’m OK.

Ronin: What have you been taught in school about avoiding a violent crime situation?

Gina: First of all, to try and stay out of risky situations.

Ronin: And?

Gina: The person that is committing the crime doesn’t have to be standing in a dark alley and could be anyone.

Ronin: Who taught your class?

Gina: It was a cop and C.A.P. instructor

Ronin: What’s a CAP?

Gina: It stands for crime something prevention.

Ronin: Is that all they taught you?

Gina: No, they also taught us ways to get out of certain situations like for instance if you’re being raped, mugged or even being abused or beaten.

Ronin” Anything else?

Gina: They taught us self defense moves to get away from certain situations.

Ronin: Like judo or karate stuff?

Gina: No, like small little moves that are pressure points or just little things that hurt just to get away.

Ronin: Tell me one?

Gina: Like if you’re walking out to your car at the store parking lot and it’s dark, and you are attacked then if you have your keys in hand, then you could ram your keys into their arm, neck, ear or even their eyes.

Ronin: That’s awfully advanced to really work for a kid don’t you think?

Gina: Yeah I guess but the ones in the face, neck and eyes would work pretty good.

Ronin: Thank you for spending this time and sharing your classroom experiences with me.

Gina: OK

It’s readily apparent that the right ideas are being taught:

1. Awareness of your surroundings

2. Don’t be fooled, every stranger could be a potential criminal

3. Be prepared, have a plan to defend yourself and begin to practice simple evasive actions with a partner if possible

4. Have confidence! This girl had confidence that some of the techniques that were taught would indeed work if used.

I believe there are many, more simple methods of evasion that don’t stress counter-attack, but rather simply, “evasive movements”.

All in all, I think our Jr. High is addressing violent crime against young girls and are doing as well as they can, short of a regimented course in women’s self defense.