Self-defense workshops in neighborhoods with real techniques to gain security on the street

“It’s not about strength, but about technique proven on the street. What you are going to learn is the result of 33 years of experience and service, techniques that work with all types of aggressors“, he explained Simón Lucas, local police from Salamanca and instructor of the first self-defense workshop for women in neighborhoods of the city, which took place this Monday at the Luis Vives Municipal Center. The Councilor for Family and Equal Opportunities, Miryam Rodríguez, has visited the inaugural session, part of the quarterly programming of the Municipal Equality School, which until June 26 offers 18 free activities for prevent gender violence and promote equality.

This initiative responds to the announcement by Mayor Carlos García Carbayo and the request of the neighborhood associationstaking the workshops traditionally centralized in the Women’s House to the neighborhoods. In Prosperity It started this Monday and will continue on April 27 and May 4 and 11; in it western neighborhood May 5, 7, 12 and 14; in VistahermosaMay 8, 15, 22 and 29; and in The Mayors June 18, 19, 25 and 26.

The participantsall women alternating roles of victims and aggressorsthey have practiced various tricks, including escapes from wrist grabs. Ana Castellohas come from Miranda del Castañar just to participate in the workshop. He found out about it through a WhatsApp group of his neighborhood association and decided to sign up without a doubt: “I thought it was interesting to try, there are four hour and a half sessions and everything you learn is very good. Who knows what can happen to us in the future”.

Marian Velasco and her daughter Raquel Péreza minor, have stressed: “It is important to know defend ourselves on the street, especially in critical situations and learn basic things to get out of trouble.”

Miryam Rodríguez has highlighted the empowerment after doing the activity: “It doesn’t matter what we are physically like because we can defend ourselves likewise. It is not a workshop to attack, but to learn a practical self defense and leave with more trust to the street: use the sixth sensepressing weak points or ringing bells to ask for help, among others tacticsin extreme situations like a assault or a heist” Simón Lucas has insisted on the practicality: “If we need strength, something fails. We will learn with the technique by testing with the limitations of each person and we will combine with self protection: how to carry your bag or how to travel safely, for example.”

Aligned with the IV Plan for Equality and Against Gender Violencethe activity searches raise awareness through recreational training.