SOUTHWICK – Jane Doe No More is hosting their Escape Alive self-defense class for women at the Southwick Town Hall on Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A non-profit organization based out of Naugatuck, Conn., Jane Doe No More is offering the class for free and for women that are 15 years old and above.
Being the first time the organization is making its way to Southwick, Jane Doe No More is looking forward to the class.
“We’re tremendously excited to be in a new community,” said Jane Doe No More founder Donna Palomba. “Hopefully, this is the first of many.”
Participants of the class will learn several techniques from the professionals. (Photo from Jane Doe No More)
All participants at the event will learn awareness and prevention tips, escape strategies as well as striking techniques. Members of Jane Doe No More will be instructing the class along with their partners, professionals from East Coast Training Systems.
Along with the professionals teaching certain techniques, personal experiences involving sexual violence is also an important part to the class.
“We are all about raising awareness about sexual violence through personal experience,” said Palomba.
According to Palomba, her organization has about 40 survivors of sexual assault who go to the classes and talked about their own experience.
At least one or two survivors of sexual assault will be in attendance at the Southwick Town Hall to tell the class about their story.
“We talk about our experience and ensure everyone, that victims of sexual violence, it is never their fault,” said Palomba. “That’s where these techniques and this education come into play.”
Jane Doe No More instructors as well as professionals from East Coast Training Systems will lead the class on Dec. 3. (Photo from Jane Doe No More)
As Jane Doe No More started in 2007, over 3,500 women have been trained thus far. Since 2013, Palomba says the training program has been free due to the tremendous generosity from their sponsors.
The sponsors of the Escape Alive self-defense class include Petit Family Foundation, Ion Bank, and Sikorsky, A Lockheed Martin Company.
Besides hosting classes in Connecticut and Massachusetts, Jane Doe No More has been in New York and Georgia.
Any participants signing up for the class in Southwick that are under the age of 18 years old must be with a parent or guardian or have a signed waiver at the time of the entry.
In order to register for the Escape Alive self-defense class, you can go to janedoenomore.org or call 203-729-0245.
