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Posted on Friday 22 April 2022
Self defence women 2

All women have the right to be free from violence, harassment, and predatory behaviour, whether that’s in their homes or out in their communities. 

If they do encounter danger or feel threatened, no matter where they are, women should be empowered with the skills and knowledge to protect themselves. 

That’s why we are hosting a series of free personal safety classes for women and girls in Darlington. 

The first event will take place on Sunday, May 1 between 10am and 1.30pm at the Dolphin Centre. 

The event is open to all women aged 18 or over who live or work in Darlington. Girls aged 14 to 17 can attend but must be accompanied by an adult. 

Led by PC Neil Walton – a Durham Constabulary police officer and one of the UK’s best martial arts instructors - the classes will equip women with basic self-defence techniques, avoidance, awareness and breakaway techniques, and knowledge of danger and warning signs. 

Participants will also learn about situational awareness and other communication skills.  

The classes are one of several initiatives being carried out in Darlington thanks to the Safer Streets Three scheme - an ongoing project designed to help people feel safer in public spaces. 

It follows work carried out last year by Durham Constabulary through the Call It Out survey, which aimed to gauge how safe women and girls feel and identify improvements they wanted to see within their communities. 

Almost 1,300 people responded to the survey, with a number of these requesting personal safety training. 

The findings have also informed a range of other initiatives led by police and the council to help make the town a safer place for everyone, which include: 

  • The implementation of a dedicated police patrol car in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights to respond swiftly to vulnerability and low-level behaviour issues.
  • The training of more than 50 SIA (security industry authorised) door staff from licensed premises in how to spot vulnerability and potential predatory behaviour.
  • Improvements to street lighting.
  • An improved radio network for the town’s Pub Watch members.
  • New e-bikes allowing police and council wardens to carry out more frequent, high visibility patrols in hard-to-reach places.

Inspector Dean Haythornthwaite, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “We want everyone to feel safe when they come to Darlington and will not tolerate any form of harassment, violence, inappropriate behaviour or sexual offending. 

“Through the Safer Streets project we have been working hard to help keep people safe while making the streets a more hostile place for people looking to commit these offences. 

“We are hosting the personal safety sessions as a direct result of the Call It Out survey, in which a number of respondents suggested they were interested in learning personal safety and self-defence techniques. 

“We hope that participants find the sessions beneficial and that they will give them some useful skills to help keep themselves safe.” 

Participants should wear comfortable clothing as the session will include physical activity and light refreshments will be provided. 

To register for the event, visit https://bit.ly/3EqOKWh

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