One in every four women is a victim of assault in her lifetime, Samantha Cree said.
That's why the nursing freshman decided to take a self-defense class at MSU.
"I feel safer knowing that I can defend myself if I get attacked," she said. "I don't want to be part of that statistic."
MSU's self-defense class focuses on "unlearning 'victim-like' thinking and behaviors," according to the MSU course catalog. This means it teaches ways to be less vulnerable to attacks.
"The class teaches things like evasions and counterattacks," said animal science junior Andrea Minella, who took the course.
But taking the MSU kinesiology class is not the only option on campus to learn about self defense.
Students can also participate in "Self-Defense for Women" seminars through IM Sports.
The two-hour seminars are offered at two levels.
The first consists of both discussion and practice of skills, with discussion focusing on the progression and development of assault. The second level is only open to those who complete the first program and includes role-playing and new maneuvers not taught in the previous program.
Students learn skills such as chokes, elbow strikes and bear hugs, among many others.
"The seminars are basic introductions to both psychological and physical aspects of self defense," said Minella, who teaches the seminars.
Not only does Minella teach the seminars, she is also a member of the MSU Self Defense Club, which meets biweekly to practice self-defense skills, she said.
"The exact dates, times and location of the club are currently being worked out," Minella said. "We basically practice the physical techniques associated with self-defense."
Off campus, the Institute of Traditional Asian Martial Arts, 130 W. Grand River Ave., also offers self-defense classes.
The classes focus on many disciplines, including judo, jujutsu and karate.
The organization was founded by Nicklaus Suino, who published three books on the subject. Students in the beginner classes are taught basic skills like stances, steps and safe falls.
"A common misconception of martial arts is that you have to be extremely athletic, like these spin-kick-backflips, running off walls or whatever you see on TV," said instructor Brad Messenger. "It's really for everyone."
Another misconception Messenger talked about was training. Many people think training ends when people get a black belt, he said.
"There is always someone better and always room for improvement," he said. "You have to be ready for that."
And being ready is why many students took the class in the first place, they said.
"They say, 'Don't look like a victim,' and once I finish these classes, I will have the confidence I want and I definitely won't look like a victim," said Elizabeth Young, a class participant and English junior. "It's a good thing for every woman to know, even if I never have to use it. It's a good thing to have."
