Girls State delegates practice safe tactics during demonstration

By Lauren Svatos

To conclude the first full day at Girl’s State, South Dakota Army National Guard 2nd Chief Warrant Officer Shane Toupal taught a seminar based on self-defense.

Toupal started the assembly by saying, “Everyone is a leader.”

He explained the three stages of assault: sexual assault, assault prevention and the aftermath.

Simple assault, the most routine assault, starts with small motions getting out of control.

One out of four people are sexually assaulted, which equals 89,000 rapes annually.  Toupal stated that 95 percent of the college sexual assault cases go unreported.

“Truth is, it can happen to you,” Toupal said, because 38 percent of people are raped by their friend.  “Not resisting doesn’t mean consent, because you still said no. No is a very powerful word.”

Toupal said to always trust your instincts, carry a first aid kit, always carry your cell phone and don’t leave a place with someone you don’t know.  He also gave a tip for online dating: Having never met the person, meet them in a public place, he said.

Another tactic is if a victim is being attacked is to use a smartphone and record them.

“Always put yourself in a strong position to get out of a bad situation,” Toupal said.

Cassity Kerner, Detroit,  said she can take a lot of beneficial information from this to protect herself and to protect others.

Toupal also gave tips for runners while running by themselves.

“Always change your route, wear visible bright colors, evaluate people and always carry your cell phone with you,” Toupal stressed.

Toupal said the first thing to do when an assualt happens is to go to a hospital, preserve the evidence and don’t feel guilty.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he said.

If a friend comes to talk about what happened, don’t make them say the story over and over again.  Every time they talk about it, they’re reliving the situation.

“I pray nothing happens to you, but if it does, that you are mentally and physically prepared,” he said.

He said there are four areas where to hit a male: eyes, throat, knees and groin.  These are effective ways to get away.

Toupal also demonstrated ways to get out of the situations.

The first was a wrist roll.  Everyone partnered up to practice this tactic.

Second was, if grabbed at the waist, slam a foot into the attackers.  Third, smash the victim’s palm into the attacker’s hand if held by the collarbone.

Eryn Macdonell, Miami, said, “I learned a lot and feel much more confident going about to be able to protect myself and being able to be there for loved ones that might be put in that situation.”