By Bethany Snow | project leader
We learned in every situation we should be careful but not scared.”
At the end of each self-defence class, our instructor, Anat, asked the women what they learned. And let us be clear, they learned a lot. These sessions were packed full of not only useful tactics for physical self-defence, but also techniques to deter potential assailants.
Use your voice.
Use it loudly.
Use it strongly.
Pay attention.
Trust your gut.
And in a dangerous places such as overcrowded refugee Camps, these tactics are key. The women taking our classes –single women, traveling without family or support –are particularly vulnerable. And the reports and statistics on rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment in refugee populations are both countless and discouraging. But by teaching women techniques to protect themselves, physically, mentally and emotionally, we can help turn this around.
We want to continue bringing this knowledge to the women living here on Lesvos, but we can’t do it without your support.
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