Need for self-defense classes more prominent than ever

In light of the recent sexual assault reports on campus, more should be done to protect our students. Sexual assault on college campuses has reached national awareness, but it seems little has been done about it, as it is still common to hear about. One rape is one too many, and should not be tolerated on any campus.

The University of South Dakota did a good job by informing students of signs of this kind of behavior followed by statistics to raise awareness in the new online Haven program each student was to complete by the beginning of the school year. However, there is a difference in knowing the facts and knowing what to do in that sort of situation — the latter seems to be lacking on this campus.

Last year, with rumored assaults on campus I went and bought pepper spray. This year with concrete evidence of another assault I felt the need to learn how to protect myself by taking a self-defense class, but was disappointed to find out there are no classes offered on campus.

In a phone interview with Wendy Johnson, assistant director of fitness and aquatics at the Wellness Center, I was informed that at least once a year a police officer or someone with self-defense training is brought in to teach a class. When I asked why it isn’t a regular class Johnson said it is considered a specialty class rather than a group fitness class.

I can agree with it being considered a specialty class, however, USD administration and the Wellness Center staff should work together to make this a class offered more frequently to students as a safety initiative.

Now, I am not saying this campus is filled with a bunch of predators and we should ninja kick just anyone, but an assault can happen anywhere, and it obviously can on this campus. The next step in protecting the student population is to teach them how to protect themselves.

I quickly researched a few wellness centers of other surrounding universities and looked to see if any self-defense classes were offered and discovered it is the same situation — no classes. It would appear there doesn’t seem to be a need for it, but for the sake of piece of mind and for the safety of college students, this approach should be taken more seriously.

As students, if we have learned anything from the recent sexual assault on campus, it’s that although we may be in little Vermillion where nothing exciting ever happens, this can happen anywhere and to anyone. I propose the university steps up sexual assault prevention by taking action and implementing more ways to protect the student body.