The best defense

Most crimes are crimes of opportunity.

If you’re self-aware, you’ll be better prepared to react, said Jason Goldsmith, owner and head instructor at Goldsmith Kung-Fu.

Two assaults this semester — one reported rape of a 19-year-old woman walking on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and one UNC student who was grabbed from behind while walking on Pritchard Avenue — have heightened awareness of potential danger.

Freshman Ciara Moraski said that although she’s never been put in a situation in which she felt physically threatened, she believes it’s important to know self-defense.

“At night or during the day, at least you know how to protect yourself if someone approaches you aggressively,” Moraski said.

Fewer assaults

Since 2006, the number of forcible sex offenses and aggravated assaults have decreased in the community, both on campus and in Chapel Hill.

According to the UNC Department of Public Safety 2009 Security Report, forcible sex offenses on campus have decreased from 12 in 2006 to four in 2008.

Forcible sex offenses have also decreased in Chapel Hill from 24 in 2006 to 10 in 2008, according to the same report.

Avoiding the situation

Goldsmith said the techniques students learn in his class combine multiple disciplines of martial arts to ensure potential victims are prepared to defend themselves properly if assaulted, he said.

But you don’t need to know how to take someone down to be safe. UNC Department of Public Safety spokesman Randy Young said the most efficient way to avoid becoming a victim is to educate yourself as much as possible.

“A lot of what we do is pre-emptive. The big thing is to stay in groups, use mass transit and walk home in well-lit areas,” Young said.

?Call 911 if you are uncomfortable. Many people think 911 is exclusively for an ongoing crisis or emergency situation and are hesitant to call, Young said.

“If something doesn’t sit right, if a person looks like they don’t belong in a certain geographical location, report that and call 911,” he said. “It might not be a threat to you, but it may subsequently be a threat to others.”

?Use hair spray as a replacement for mace, Goldsmith said. It has the same effect and can be carried into places like clubs, which usually confiscate mace.

?On or off campus, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings.

“Complacency is probably the greatest risk — the idea that we are immune from vcampus crime,” Young said.

?Avoid the myths.

“One of the biggest myths is that high heels are magic,” Goldsmith said. “You can’t kick someone in the balls with your heels. You kick with your toe.”



Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.