Mashpee senior project targets self-defense for high school and college-aged women
Since her freshman year, Mashpee Middle-High School senior Daisy O'Reilly said she's wanted to help young women defend themselves from sexual assault.
"There aren't a lot of places that offer self-defense classes, so I decided to create one myself to help young women like me feel safe in their community," said O'Reilly.
With the help of Katie Hennessey, school resource officer for the Mashpee Police Department, O'Reilly created two self-defense classes that will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 12 at Mashpee Middle-High School. To register, email daisy.o'reilly@mpspk12.org.
The basic self-defense courses will be led by Hennessey, and Sgt. Hannah Greene of the Orleans Police Department. Greene is also trained in Rape Aggression Defense, also known as RAD.
Both classes are open to students across Cape Cod, regardless of what high school they attend.
Classes will offer tips on assault prevention and risk awareness.
Throughout each class, Hennessey said instructors will address risk reduction and risk avoidance. Instructors will also offer basic safety tips and educate participants about personal alarms and keychains that can add to a woman's defense if she's attacked.
Because the classes will be geared towards women who are headed to college, or young working women, instructors will also give tips on prevention and awareness.
"We'll talk about things like where to park their car, what to keep an eye out for, and not to be on their phone while walking," she said. "Basic information to keep them safe."
Statistics say half of women have experienced sexual violence victimization.
About one in two women and one in four men in Massachusetts have experienced sexual violence victimization other than rape; and about one in three women and one in five men in the state have experienced rape, physical violence and stalking by an intimate partner in their lives, according to the YWCA of Northeastern Massachusetts.
Through her research, O'Reilly also found that 58% of rape victims report being raped between the ages of 12 and 24.
The statistics speak for themselves, she said. And the classes offer an incredible opportunity for young women to empower and protect themselves.
"As students, sexual violence isn't always at the forefront of our minds," she said. "I want to help change that."
Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Self-defense classes in Mashpee, thanks to high school senior project
