REGINA — A team part of the Regina Police Service (RPS) is helping women learn to protect themselves.
Since 2023, the Women’s Personal Safety Team has helped tons of women understand how to avoid and escape situations.
“We talk about social awareness, the use of social media, and how to be aware of your surroundings. We touch a little bit on domestic violence to get dialogue going about certain situations where danger would present itself for women,” said Chrissy Gottselig of the Women’s Personal Safety Team.
The team, which was first developed with help from the Vancouver Police, will travel parts of the city to provide free education, which includes practical portions.
“We start with like strikes and different singular moves, and then we work our way up,” explained Gottselig.
Part of the training behind striking involves learning how to effectively target areas of the body, such as the eyes, limbs and groin, while maintaining control and avoiding overexertion.
“They teach you not to waste your energy because your life depends on it,” said Connie Buchan, chair of the Regent Park Community Association, who was involved in a session.
Buchan explained that fighting for your life can help women like herself feel so empowered.
“You think I don't have to be a victim. I am not going to let society turn me into something that I don't want to be.”
Changing the narrative:
Gottselig said women often feel hesitant to use their voices loudly or assertively.
“We teach about getting over the thought that women have been sort of conditioned to think that they need to be gentle or they need to be accepting of behaviours or attitudes or actions or words towards them.”
Buchan said society is starting to change and women won’t take this.
“It helps them know they can take control of their own lives.”
That sense of taking control is evident as women seek new ways to learn and practice.
“Women ask where I can do this again, where I can go to practice more and strengthen myself.”
Gottselig said this empowerment can make women viewed as stronger in public, leading to fewer confrontations.
“Body image and how you hold yourself could help deter an attacker.”
Gottselig said the team hopes to become more established before offering sessions on a more consistent basis.
“It would be nice to have regular sessions, including smaller ones.”
The team is also considering using crime trends in the future to assess whether its sessions are having a broader impact on the community.
