COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Columbus Police Department has been making efforts to help prevent violence against women with its female self-defense classes.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly 70 women each month are killed by their partner with a gun. That is why CPD is holding these women’s defense classes.
“My ultimate goal is to have every woman in the city of Columbus carrying a gun,” said CPD Chief Stoney Mathis.
According to the Gun Violence Prevention and Advocacy, more than 6500 women die from gun violence every year. Over 47% of women have encountered sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner. CPD aims to lower these numbers with its female self-defense classes.
“Women are at a much higher incidence of violence committed against them,” said Lieutenant Kelly Phillips. “So I think it’s important for all women to have a background in just a little bit of self-defense, knowing whether they should run, or whether they should fight.”
The female self-defense class is a two-day course that teaches women self-awareness tactics and how to properly use firearms. Participant Katie Yont says she entered the program to gain confidence…