Self-Defense for Women Course Helps Educate, train

The Westerville Division of Police starts each SelfDefense for Women training course with the facts.

One such fact: A forcible rape occurred every 6.3 minutes in the United States in 2011. Another: Aggravated assaults are the most reported violent crimes, followed by robbery, rape and murder (www.fbi.gov).

Because women are often targets of violent crime and assault, the Westerville Division of Police created a learning experience to help defend against would-be attackers. Now in its 13th year, the course is designed to pair education with risk reduction and defense techniques so that women are less likely to become victims of violent crime.

“Our goal is to help the class participants develop a defensive instinct,” said Lieutenant Tracey Myers of the Division’s Community Services Bureau. “We build a defense strategy around three rules, and train women to assess risks and protect themselves.”

The three course rules and principles: • React immediately when in a dangerous situation. • Resist an attack.

• Crime scene No. 2 is always worse than crime scene No. 1. Statistics show physical injuries are more likely if a woman is moved to another location.

Women of all ability levels (some portions of the class are physical) will learn and practice simple, effective defensive skills from certified self-defense instructors, as well as a series of tips from safety experts focused on how to react to an attacker.

“If the safest way to escape an attack is to run, we teach women how to make that assessment and flee,” says Myers. “Sometimes that’s simply not possible, so it’s our objective to teach women how to confront the situation and fight back to ideally get attention, help or an opportunity to escape.”

A $25 deposit is required for the course, which is refunded upon course completion. Women 18 and older may register; girls 14 years of age or older may participate, but must attend class with a parent/guardian.

The next Self-Defense for Women course will take place on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westerville Community Center. The self-defense curriculum is offered five times a year. For more information, please call the Community Services Bureau at 614-901-6860.

Westerville Adds Award to Finance Accolades

The City of Westerville has again received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (2011), awarded late last year by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This is the 28th year the City has received this recognition.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting, representing a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Westerville Finance Director Lee Ann Shortland was presented the award for the 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), produced and published by the City’s Finance Department.

“We’re pleased to be able to add this recognition to those earned by the City that demonstrate our diligence and commitment to providing excellent financial stewardship to our community and our residents,” said Shortland.

To learn more about the CAFR, view other recent awards and recognitions presented to the Finance office, or inspect documents and reports, please visit www.westerville.org/finance.

Don’t-Miss Event: Honor Flight Jukebox Revue

In the tradition of The Ed Sullivan Show, the annual Westerville for Honor Flight Jukebox Revue will take place on Sunday,.Feb. 17 at Westerville North High School.

All proceeds from this fast-paced variety show featuring musicians, dancers and other acts and entertainment benefit Honor Flight Columbus to support a 2013 Westerville-community sponsored flight for World War II and Korean War-era veterans to visit Washington, D.C. for a day of honor.

Tickets for the event are available for $10 at Westerville City Hall. World War II and Korean War veterans are admitted free of charge. For more information, visit us on Facebook at www. facebook.com/westervilleforhonorflight.