Self-defence on the agenda for teens

Teenage girls will be given an opportunity to learn some important life skills at a self-defence workshop next week, thanks to the City of Rockingham.

Run by Crucial Defence Personal Protection and Safety owner Jason Rowbottom, who has 30 years of experience in self-defence, the two-hour workshop will teach young girls tips on how to avoid dangerous situations and a few escape techniques.

Mr Rowbottom said he would discuss risk awareness tactics and how to identify potential threats, such as crossing the road if there was a group of rowdy men on the pathway ahead or parking at night in a lit-up area.

He said often young people listened to music via headphones and may not be aware of their surroundings, and suggested girls should be wary of the world around them.

"It's about having strategies in place to get away and knowing where the exits are," Mr Rowbottom said. "The techniques learnt are designed to help you escape, not win the fight.

"It's naive to think youth aren't socialising and drinking, which is an environment where fights or problems can escalate.

"I suggest people should remove themselves from that situation instead of interfering, even if the intention is to cool the situation."

Mr Rowbottom said the physical tactics were simple: to target the eyes, throat and groin.

"In a sexual assault context, regardless of the victim's strength, targeting those areas will stop the behaviour because the concentration will go from the victim to protecting themselves, especially in respect to the eyes," he said.

The $5.50 workshop will be held at the Mary Davies Library and Community Centre on March 25 at 6pm, with five other workshops offered in April.

To book, contact 9591 0800.