Pair of sexual assaults in Guelph inspire free self-defense workshop for women
Posted Mar 31, 2025 04:52:09 PM.
Last Updated Mar 31, 2025 04:52:14 PM.
A Guelph martial arts studio is offering a free self-defence workshop following a pair of violent attacks in that city earlier this month.
Two women were sexually assaulted in broad daylight on consecutive days in Guelph’s north end.
The attacks came about a week after Guelph police issued a public safety warning about a violent offender with a history of sexual assault who had just been released and was in the community.
Although the assaults and the offender’s release were unrelated, they prompted a release from Guelph police that contained safety tips to avoid being attacked and what to do if you are.
Scott Tracey, a media relations officer with Guelph Police, told 570 NewsRadio despite the warning, Guelph is a very safe place to live and violent crime is down year over year.
“It’s difficult to keep that in mind or recognize that when you do have incidents like these and they all come at the same time,” she said. “It can make it seem like the community is not safe but the statistics simply do not bare that out.”
Nathan Skoufis, the owner and instructor at Guelph Family Martial Arts, said questions about self-defence classes began to ramp up significantly after the assaults.
“We had so many people that would be calling in or coming into the studio and different community organizations, community leaders and elected officials that contacted the studio to see if this is something we would be able to offer,” he said, adding it’s something the community really wanted.
Skoufis and his team began organizing the workshop, focusing on basic techniques that can be used and are effective without years of training.
“They’re things that if a situation does occur, one or two moves that will help you get out of there,” he said. “Whether that’s somebody grabbing you from the front or a choke or grabbing your wrist or whatever the situation might be, we’ll run through all of those.”
While police have no problem with people learning self-defence, Tracey said there are some things that need to be kept in mind when defending oneself.
“The force used has to be commensurate with the force that you are defending yourself against,” she said. “For example, if someone is running away you can’t chase after them and continue to attack them.”
Tracey said only up to a point, the law will be there to protect you.
The free workshop by Guelph Family Martial Arts will take place April 13, 2025 at the Delta hotel in Guelph.
It’s open to women only, 13 years of age or older and minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Email: gfmakarate@gmail.com to register
