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 r c a lYndafTb lo wo ut! t t 4 L Lazar’s Bazar I 150 kinds to ~ 57 W Roadway-687 0139 ChOOS© from 957 Willamette SI (Downtown Wali)^ COSTS ARE UP! I ct J Mar Biological Plasma Donor Center help with your tuition. By donating plasma, you earn $20“° for your first donation, over SI 20 per month, and help save a life at the same time Open Monday Saturday Call 683-9430 lor more information. I11 \\ Kth Ave. laigcne i. _a ^ A HUlel serves Jewish students on cam v pus to fulfill their Jewish cultural needs. <$> <$> Hillel offers educational, cultural, social, community and religious services. 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