Empowering women with self-defence skills

“As a woman myself ... I totally got it. I myself wouldn’t walk alone at night. It’s always at the back of your mind,” Mrs Dick said.

And so it was that she decided to organise a course on self-defence for women, which will arrive in Cobram-Barooga next month.

The six-week program, starting July 2, aims to give women the skills they need to feel more confident and strong in their own bodies.

Currently run in Mrs Dick’s home-town of Numurkah, the program has proven more popular than expected.

In fact, participants can’t get enough.

Mrs Dick said the most common feedback was that participants would like even more training to develop their skills further.

“It’s obviously having a positive impact, and if it’s positive for just this small group, then that’s why I really wanted to work hard on getting it to other locations,” Mrs Dick said.

“I want to be able to help as many people as I can.”

The program arrives against the backdrop of an alarming rise in the rate of family violence in Moira Shire, where breaches of family violence orders continue to be the most commonly reported offence.

Data from the Crime Statistics Agency shows the reported number of family violence incidents in the Moira Shire rose by almost four per cent over the past year.

It also comes just months after a 46-year-old Yarrawonga woman, Kylie Sanders, was killed in a collision with a car allegedly driven by Tatura man Kristopher Castle.

The group will also run a similar program in Nathalia, starting from July 3.

“It’s had such a big impact. It’s amazing,” Mrs Dick said of the program.

The program currently costs $100 per person, and is led by Sensei Steve from Shotokan Karate Budokai Victoria.

The six-week program runs from July 2 at the Barooga Community Hall.

Find out more at tinyurl.com/4n85855z

If this article raised any concerns with you or someone you know, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.