Women’s Protective Services and the Texas Karate Institute partnered up to give women a free self-defense class. For many, it was their first time fighting but not their first time feeling threatened.
“There was some guy at a gas station who tried to get into our car as it was filling up,” said Danielle Ianni, who took the class. “The car was full of my friends, but we had no idea what to do at the time.”
Instructor Tom Downs says knowing what to do is extremely important, as assault can happen to anyone.
“Everybody should know two things, how to swim and how to fight,” Downs said. “In West Texas you can stay out of the water, but there is no way to avoid the violence.”
In 2018, over 130 women were killed because of an assault in Texas, with some of the cases happening in Lubbock. That’s why Downs says women should kick, fight, do whatever it takes to get away from your attacker.
“Women should be able to walk with confidence, and not be afraid of being attacked in some parking lot,” Downs said. “These women have a right to defend their lives.”
