Female members of staff joined students to arm themselves with some effective self-defence moves recently – to tie in with the annual 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence campaign (25 November to 10 December).
George Walls – FVC’s BSC Test Centre Manager and IT lecturer in FVC’s Business Department and a qualified Shukokai karate, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu; (Sei Ryoku Seno) and Systema (Russian Martial Art) instructor - ran two basic self-defence classes for women, providing hints and tips on how to address unsuspected scenarios and help keep safe.
The workshops were held in the Falkirk Campus Main Hall on Monday 25 November and Monday 2 December between 4pm – 5pm and were well attended.
Instructor George, said: “The prime objective of the two basic self-defence workshops was to instill basic hints and tips on how to address unsuspected contact scenarios, ensuring safety was their number one priority. Everyone participated fully and were keen to get involved.
“We covered the basic psychological and physical impact of physical contact. Personally, I believe we have all benefited from these sessions. The feedback I got from the participants was that they fully enjoyed this, and I have already been getting stopped and asked ‘when can we do more’.”
16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence is aimed at organisations and businesses to support them to take action against domestic abuse and violence. The campaign stems from the original movement, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. The movement started at the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991, an event sponsored by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership.