Women respond to recent rapes
By Natasha Shepard
Emerald Contributor
Recent rapes in Eugene have prompted
increased safety awareness around town, as well as
caused a demand for more classes on rape preven
tion, several women's organizations said.
Christina Trevino, volunteer coordinator for
Sexual Assault Support Services, said the phones
having been ringing more at SASS.
"Tlie phone calls have just about doubled.”
Trevino said, "and most ask nlxiut self-defense and
other ways to stay safe."
Jennifer Bench of Womenspace said whenever
assault or abuse receives media attention, there is
an increase of calls to her organization from
women who can see themselves in the same situ
ation
"The issue is getting a lot of publicity." Bench
said. "It's a stranger rape, so everyone is vulnera
ble."
Though not necessarily related to the recent rape
reports in the north Eugene area. Saferide has been
turning away up to seven riders a night because
the vans, especially the off-campus routes, have
Ihhhi so full.
Increased awareness and concern about person
al safety has prompted action from both the Uni
versity and community as they work to meet the
needs of women frightened by attacks.
Self-defense classes have been designed to teach
women to stay out of potentially dangerous situa
tions and to empower themselves.
A self-defense class taught bv Nadia Tesley is
being included in the University's spring term cur
riculum. along with a class called “CARE, or Tre
ating a Rape-Free Environment.
"It is important for women to arm themselves
before they become a statistic," said Jeanna
Weltha, assistant head instructor at Cascade Ken
po Karate.
Weltha will teach a free self-defense class for
women today at North Eugene High School.
The class, initiated by North Eugene High Clin
ic coordinator Debbie Knox, focuses on teaching
women to be aware of their surroundings and how
to use their voices as weapons. The class also
teaches the vulnerable areas of assailants and the
knowledge and use of defensive tools.
"If you read the papers and listen to the news
you know thut (assault) is an ongoing negative
aspect of our society." said Weltha, who has been
training for 13 years in Kenpo Karate and is now
a second-degree black belt.
Weltha has volunteered her time to teach a num
ber of self-defense classes lor women around the
‘ft is important for women to
arm themselves before they
become a statistic.'
Jeanna Weltha.
Cascade Kenpo Karate instructor
community She recently finished tbai lung a class
for ninth-grade girls at Sheldon High S* hoc! and a
class for young women aged 11 to in at North
Eugene High School
Knox said the class was put together because of
the re< cut assaults in north Kugene
VVelthn said North Kugene High School look
advantage of the media attention hx used on rape
and decided to present a i lass that would help
women protect themselves
More than 100 women attended the class pro
sented In VVeltha and her husband two weeks ago
The class presented techniques for breathing
and stance, and it focused on ways to not only
esi ape a dangerous situation, but to avoid it
"You must re-empower yourselves." Hamel
VVeltha said, "because till isn’t going to tie there,
and the police will arrive too lute "
Some girls who attended the class were con
corned about the recent rape reports
"I'm totally freaked out with all the rapes that
have lioen going on." said Trezre Jacobson, ll
Heather Bishop, 14. said she was interested in
increasing her ability to protect herself
"I came here I localise of what’s been going on.
she said "I want to show that I can protect
myself
Daniel VVeltha. at the beginning of the program,
stressed the importance of defense. "Defense is a
natural part of life," he said "Kverything that is
living on this planet has a defense mechanism
You have a right to defend yourself ”
VVeltha showed the class a picture of his petite
wife, who is a black-belt in Kenpo Karate. If
someone walked in here knowing one of you had
boon trained in defense, do you think he could tell
which one of you it was?" VVeltha asked "He d
think, 'I'd better smile and carry flowers just in
case."’
Jeanna VVeltha said women just need to start
"Don't let any obstacle prevent you from over
coming your fear." she said "All you really need
is to liegin."
The class will be in the North Eugene High
School wrestling room from fi 30 to 8:30 tonight
Participants should wear comfortable clothing
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Attention: Students, Staff, and Faculty
You are invited to join the task force that will
WALK THE TALK
RACE TASK FORCE
Retention through Attention
Focus, educate, and act on
problems of prejudice,
harassment, and racism
The Race Task Force will:
• Provide response to issues and support to individuals and
groups
• Increase opportunities for people to report hate crimes both
officially and unofficially
• Build coalitions
Date: Monday, February 22
Time: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Place: Gumwood Room, EMU
IF YOU WANT ACTION,
SELECT YOURSELF FOR THIS COMMITTEE