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Sadly, it’s estimated that over one million violent crimes happen in the U.S. yearly.  

As a result, it’s emphasized that others – particularly women – understand self defense. 

On Wednesday evening, ladies in and around Clark County had an opportunity to learn more. 

The United State Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) partnered with Safety Reloaded Training and Consulting, located in Lawrenceburg, KY, and hosted a women’s personal safety workshop at the Clark County Public Library. 

“We reached out to them to put on this women’s only personal protection class because we really want to give back to the community and…make sure everyone’s got good information and have somewhere to start their journey”,” said Nicholas Eckert, owner of Safety Reloaded Training & Consulting.

Also present to speak before attendees were Safety Reloaded Training and Consulting instructor Jennifer Hollon, and Delta Defense, LLC Account Executive Terra Schroeder. 

Four categories of violent crime were presented at the event: aggravated assault, robbery, rape, and murder. 

According to information obtained from the FBI Crime Data Explorer, It was noted that – in 2022 – violent crime incidents in Kentucky occurred most often in the home while the offender’s relationship to the victim was most often that of a stranger, although acquaintances and significant others were sadly also mentioned. 

Early on in the class, the five A’s of self defense were emphasized: acceptance, awareness, avoidance, action, and aftermath. 

Hollon emphasized that, when considering self-defense, situational awareness is essential. 

“Women have heard so much in life about how we are supposed to conduct ourselves; be quiet, sit down, kick back,” she said. “I’m here to tell you when it comes to your situational awareness that is not the kind of person to be you need to present yourself to your potential attacker as the person they don’t want to mess with.” 

Hollon further explained how to take on a survivor mindset, establish personal boundaries, and how to provide verbal commands to improve chances of backing off a would-be attacker. 

Hollon also mentioned different conditions based on color – with condition white ranging from unaware to condition orange representing heightened awareness – to best be aware of a situation. 

Less lethal weapon options – such as a taser, pepper spray, and more – were explained, along with clarity regarding such factors as distance between a shooter and offender. 

However, as might be expected, the pros and cons of revolvers and semi-revolvers were also discussed in great detail. 

For each individual, it was emphasized that choosing the right weapon – along with one’s level of comfort – largely was determined by shootability, reliability and efficiency. 

Certainly not least, the four rules governing the use of deadly force were mentioned. 

In order to be considered reasonably justified in using deadly force, all four must be present. 

They are to be in immediate fear of death or serious bodily harm to yourself or another person, in a situation where you were an innocent party that did not initiate or escalate the incident, no lesser force was sufficient or available to stop the threat, and you had no way to disengage or escape from the threat. 

“This is only for extreme situations…that’s when you have to do something as a last resort”, said Schroder, noting that terms such as disparity of force could sometimes apply. 

Those presenting also referred to how to set up a defense, act in the aftermath of a self-defense incident, be one’s own first responder, and more. 

Toward the end, information about what following steps can be taken to continue involvement with the USCCA were shared, as were details about both upcoming and private classes, free events, women’s only resources and more available via Safety Reloaded Training & Consulting. 

“We really want people to take training,” Eckert said. “If it’s not with us, get training somewhere. Start where you’re comfortable. It’s important to know how to protect [you and] your loved ones.”