theTorch stories that matter
FEB 28, 2018
VOLUME 53, EDITION 8E
EUGENE, OREGON
Ending with a BAM / pages 2 Silence please / page 3 Titans catch Roadrunners / page 4
Combating violence against women Warrior Sisters work to empower and support the vulnerable Charlene Venette Reporter Warrior Sisters is a group of volunteers that set out to fill the gap that traditional women’s crisis groups could not. Every Sunday, they teach free self defense classes to ladies of all ages so that they can feel safe and empowered in all aspects of their lives. Rachel Collins and Elizabeth Hayes are two of the small group of women that came together to create WS. “After working in a variety of women’s shelters, on crisis lines, and at rape centers, we felt there was a need to fill in the gaps,” Collins said. They feel that the emotional support battered women receive is imperative, but it doesn’t teach the skills to empower women with the confidence and ability to resist physical violence. “We believe that all women have the right to access free verbal and physical defense training. Services to provide support and healing after violence or abuse has happened are essential. Accessible training to recognize red flags and resist abuse as it’s happening is another essential part of ending violence against women,” Collins said. After Wendy Watson, a Lane Community College graduate, experienced attempted robbery, she decided to get a gun. After contemplating her decision she thought,
“But if I am too scared to use my phone to call for help in imperative and crucial for all people to become empowered this situation how am I going to handle a gun?” Watson verbally and physically.” A mother of two small children, decided not to get a gun and instead, began attending WS Elliot is committed to self-defense for the sake of modeltrainings. “Now that I have found Warrior Sisters, I feel ing it for her children and community. “Thanks to the more confident and empowered to make the right decisions Warrior Sisters, I am able to unfold and embody my power in an escalated situation,” Watson said. responsibly,” Elliot said. In addition to reality-based physical Collins and Hayes are excited defense techniques, trainings include about the work they are now doing “Thanks to the practice in awareness, using one’s voice, with teens. They are currently working Warrior Sisters, identifying red flags of verbal coercion, with two groups: the Academy of setting strong verbal boundaries, and Arts and Academics in Springfield I am able to unfold even using de-escalation techniques and Spencer Butte Middle School. and embody my with someone who has become aggresCollins says that the parents love it power responsibly.” sive or violent. and have been very supportive. These techniques are practiced in Word is spreading about this orga— Amy Elliot, the classes. During the training, the nization. They did almost 100 trainWarrior Sisters member coaches sit down with the participants ings in 13 states last year. Individuals and discuss possible scenarios for vioand group organizers find them on lence or unsafe situations. Then they demonstrate how to Facebook, Instagram, and their website. They welcome remove oneself from these situations with moves that they opportunities to work with women’s groups in the local have the participants practice. “Practicing these moves helps area and across the nation. you remember them, it’s called muscle memory,” Hayes said. The trainings are open to women of all ages and physiAccording to Collins, a majority of abuse and rights cal fitness levels. They are free so that everyone may have violations women experience begins as verbal abuse or access to them. WS receives support from a variety of coercion, then later turns into physical violence. “Self- different sources: donations of equipment, free spaces for defense programs that only include physical techniques are workshops, and items raffled off in fundraisers. They also missing a huge piece of the puzzle,” Collins said. accept donations on their website. In order to address these verbal abuse and coercion Free trainings are Sundays 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m through pressures that many women face daily the group splits off Dec. 30 at Art of War MMA, 251 W. 7th Ave., Eugene. There into smaller groups and practices how to say “no” in a very is also a class on Tuesdays from 8 a.m.- 9 a.m. for which determined and straightforward way. They want students to there is a fee usually on a donation basis. Collins suggests know that they do not always have to explain themselves. that people attend the free class then if it feels right for Amy Elliot, a regular student of the classes feels “It is them they can sign up for additional classes.