[Posted Jan. 21, 2008]

Self Defense Class Prepares Women To Ward Off Attackers
 

Leonard E. Colvin
Chief Reporter
New Journal & Guide
 
      Recent news about attempts to assault young ladies in the City of Norfolk struck a personal nerve with E. R. Spruill, because he has two daughters and fears for their safety.
       Spruill runs and  is the founder  of the  Norfolk School of Judo and Jujitsu Community Development center in Ingleside. Last weekend,  he conducted a self defense class, he said for about 15 adults and youth.
        “I did go into every thing about teaching a woman how to defend herself in the five hours we scheduled,” he said. “But I provided enough information to help the women, young ladies and the two young men on hand to get an effective idea  of what to do if their personal safety is threatened. Even the smallest man or woman uses his or her body as a weapon.”
       Spruill said that although large numbers of women are carrying mace or pepper spray to fight off attackers,  most do not and should prepare themselves to use their bodies as the first line of defense.
       Spruill said that women especially should be thinking about acquiring and developing some form of personal protection skills in order to fend off  potential attackers.
       “Men do have the physical advantage over most women,” he said.  “But women can use their  teeth,  fingernails, feet, hands and body leverage to defend themselves. Remember to strike at the vulnerable parts of a man’s body. Like the groin, testicles, the nose and the knees.  If you exert the right pressure with your leg, you can shatter a knee and inflict damage elsewhere.”
        Spruill said that  apart from the hands, legs and feet are another effective weapon “So is your mouth. First, start screaming. Call attention to the fact that you are being attacked. Run hard in the opposite direction from your attacker to the nearest door and start screaming and knocking.”
      
     

   Spruill, who has been teaching  Judo or Jujitsu for over 40 years said that  scratching and inflicting enough damage  in the face and  other places to draw blood, may leave enough  of a DNA imprint on an attacker to be used  by the police to link them to incident. But the victim must report an attack quickly, especially if they manage to escape the clutches of an attacker.
       Rosa Collins attended the training session with Spruill. She heard about the class last weekend from her younger daughter who is taking Judo classes at Spruill’s center. 

   Mrs. Collins weighs 143 pounds and stands  at 5’8”  and said she never thought about developing self defense skills; she attended last weekend’s classes. She was taught how to use leverage against an attacker, twist the arm and hit the elbow to subdue an attacker among other techniques.
       “My husband said that I should not be worried about being attacked,” said Mrs. Collins. “But you never know.  There is so much violence out there. You never know when you might be attacked. I guess I want to be prepared. Next month I want to go more regularly to learn more. I like the way Mr. Spruill conducts his class. I am more knowledgeable now and more aware.”
       Spruill said that while learning self defense techniques or carrying mace are two sure fire ways to protect oneself, prevention is important as well.
       “Especially at night be on guard as  you are walking and you are alone,” he said.  “If you are walking near a wooded dark, area in parts of your neighborhood at night and the lighting is poor, don’t go alone, or if you do, do not walk close to the wooded area or the darkened part of the sidewalk.”
       “If you are talking toward a darkened area near an alley, do not walk close to the entry way of the alley because you do not want to be pulled into wooded and dark areas,” he said. “Too often I have heard of many young girls actually being following or  being summoned into dark, wooded areas or into a stranger’s car.  That's foolish. If someone tries to persuade you to do that, you run in the opposite direction--fast, and holler at the top of your lungs.”
       Spruill said he and his staff will be offering free personal safety classes at his facility, Monday and Wednesday, for individuals  12 and up  starting at 7 p.m. for a month. They will be free.
       For more information about Grand Master Spruill’s self defense classes call  757 855 2777 or send an e-mail to sasori@peoplepc.com

To read other stories, subscribe to the New Journal and Guide.