TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – After local law enforcement responded to a couple of sexual assault incidences on women over the past few months, Twin Falls County Sheriff Tom Carter decided it was time to do something about it besides putting suspects behind bars.

“Assaults on women are just awful,” Carter told NewsRadio1310. “A friend of mine and I were talking about the assaults that have happened here lately and I said, ‘I can do something about this.’”

Carter decided to organize a free self-defense class for women, which is schedule from 9 a.m. to noon on March 12 at Canyon Ridge High School.

“I have some really good instructors who work for me,” he said. “My goal is to empower women so they don’t have to be a victim.”

City police will partner with the sheriff’s office for the three-hour class. Participants will learn to defend themselves against common holds and how to maximize damage by hitting the body in the most crucial areas.

Stock Foundry-DesignPics/ThinkStock
Stock Foundry-DesignPics/ThinkStock
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Carter said he is excited to sponsor an event in which women can learn to better defend themselves if the need were ever to arise.

“The way I look at it is one assault is too many,” he said.

Because of the limited number of instructors, Training Coordinator Stacy Wood said the class is limited to 40 women. There were still about 15 slots available Wednesday afternoon.

She also wants to make sure each woman is able to watch demonstrations and participate, something that is more effective in a smaller setting. If there is a good turnout, she said, more classes may be scheduled in the future.

“The list is getting filled now. I’m sure we’ll have a waiting list,” Wood said. “This is a self-defense class for women. I’m really hoping the females who take this class will gain some knowledge that could help them.”

To register, call Wood at 736-4179.

 

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