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Multnomah women learn self-defense methods

In Oct. 3 and 24, 30 to 40 Multnomah Bible College women met in Lytle Gymnasium to learn self-defense. Dean of women Karen Fancher and the Women's Fellowship coordinated the classes because two MBC students have been attacked on campus since the end of July. Women's Fellowship paid for the classes so students would not feel hindered from taking them.

Senior Mark Pearson taught the class. A fourth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon-Do, he has participated in the martial arts for 27 years. Pearson has worked for the Merced Police Department in California as both a patrolman and Tae Kwon-Do instructor of self-defense. Eli Jones, an MBC student, along with alumnus and black belt Seth Jones, assisted Pearson in the class. Andrea Scheel, Women's Fellowship coordinator, said she appreciated the men's willingness to teach and their "sure, beat-me-up" attitudes.

Pearson told the class that he wanted to help women dispel the fog of fear and uncertainty that prevents them from protecting themselves. He desired for the class to develop a "fight for your life" mindset. He said that "attackers are vicious cowards, but still cowards." He told the women to develop what police call a nine-millimeter strut," which means an "I-know-where-I'm-going attitude" as they walk.

After a brief stretching session, the women found a partner with whom to practice. The first tactic they learned was wrist grabs. One person on the team grabbed the other's wrist and the "victim" broke free by yanking toward the attacker's thumb and yelling, "No!" The woman then backhanded the assailant's cheek and ran.

Pearson encouraged women to present an air of authority. Telling the attackers "no" gives the victim an appearance of control, he said. Women were taught how to free themselves when grasped by one arm, both arms, from behind, by the neck, from bear hugs and when pressed down on the ground. The class learned pressure points that stun attackers, allowing victims to knee the assailant in the groin and free themselves. Taking a finger and pushing underneath a person's collarbone causes an attacker's knees to buckle. Digging two fingers into each cheekbone forces a person's head back.

The women were shown how to gouge out an assailant's eye or rip out his collarbone--techniques to be used only in extreme instances where a victim's life is at stake. Eli Jones and Seth Jones held pads as participants practiced kneeing them in the groin.

Freshman Adele Hayes said, "I felt uncomfortable; I felt like I was a victim. [It was] a real vulnerable situation."

"I wanted women to not be overcome by fears but have a healthy balance of defense for the world which we are in, " Scheel said. "[Women's Fellowship] felt responsible to give women the tools to protect themselves."

Fancher said she wanted women to feel secure and prepared to respond if attacked. She said that God is the ultimate source of protection, but women need to be wise and have awareness of potential dangers in a fallen world.

Scheel said she was surprised by how easily women can defend themselves. She said most of self-defense is a mind battle within victims; they need to know that they can free themselves from an attacker. "The women did learn the techniques," Scheel said. "I saw women fight old fears and overcome. They became stronger because of it."

If a student escapes an attack, MBC's security department suggests these five steps: remain calm, contact authorities, call campus security, go to a public place, and prepare a description of the person and vehicle.

Tyana Peacock wants to someday have a horse ranch in Montana or Texas.



Senior Mark Pearson displays a "take-down" tactic on sophomore Jed Brewster in the self-defense class.

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