Thursday, July 17th, 2025 Church Directory
MYA AND MCKENNA BENSON demonstrate some of the moves they learned during Sunday’s self defense class. (Photo by Penny Leuthard)
AMY PEINE from the Central MN Sexual Assault Center speaks to participants of the self defense class at Light Body. (Photo by Penny Leuthard)

Area Residents Learn About Assault And Self Defense

 
Area residents had the opportunity to take part in a self defense class at Lightbody yoga and fitness studio Clearwater last Sunday, after which they shared experiences and asked questions about sexual assault during a presentation from the Central MN Sexual Assault Center.
 
The one-hour Introduction to Self Defense class, which was open to anyone age seven and over, was taught by instructor Brook Hoffman, an above-knee amputee with a martial arts background in Goju-Ryu Karate, Jeet Kune Do and boxing. 
 
Hoffman took the class through basic self defense moves, demonstrating common scenarios in which it could be needed. After each she worked one-on-one with participants to ensure they were able to perform the moves effectively.
 
After the course, Amy Peine from the Central MN Sexual Assault Center (CMSAC) sat down with attendees to provide information on sexual assault and allow them a chance to share their personal stories and ask questions.
 
Based out of St. Cloud, CMSAC is a 24-hour crisis intervention agency that provides direct services to people affected by any form of sexual violence. They also work to prevent sexual assault and change attitudes about sexual violence through support groups, training and education.
 
Peine discussed exploitation and what kinds of things to watch for. Using language aimed toward the youth in the group, she talked about ‘red flag statements’ such as someone saying, “This is our little secret,” “You’re special” or “Don’t tell your mom.”
 
She talked about the ‘grooming’ that often happens with kids, explaining it can be confusing and happens over a long period of time as the person slowly starts to push the child’s boundaries.
 
“It’s like training a puppy,” she said. “The child learns if they let that person pass a boundary line they’ll be rewarded.”
 
Concerning social media, she warned that any app, including games, that has a private chat function is dangerous for children.
 
“Our society teaches girls and young women our value is on how we look,” she said. “When you put a photo of yourself on social media and you’re flooded with ‘likes’ and people telling you how beautiful you are you feel good about yourself.”
 
Unfortunately, predators see the photo and will pretend they’re also a young girl in an attempt to create a relationship with that person. They’ll start to chat online in order to find out personal information. 
 
“Don’t use a photo of yourself as your cover photo and don’t post personal information,” advised Peine. “A lot of people don’t realize the danger, but it’s a very real risk.”
 
She told the group the average age a child first encounters pornography is between eight and 11, and warned that because it’s everywhere on the internet it can pop up in unpredictable places.
 
“When kids see porn, they think that’s what sex is,” said Peine. “Because they’ve never had the loving experience they think it’s about violence.”
 
She asked the youth in the group what they though the word ‘consent’ meant, and told them consent and lack of consent comes in varying forms, it’s all in the way the person feels.
 
She advised it was important to trust one’s instincts, and gave the group tools to use to help them know what to say and do when they’re faced with a potentially dangerous situation. She stressed they should practice in order to be prepared, and encouraged them to go to authorities if something does happen.
 
“I see a lot of people internalize guilt and shame when something happens to them,” she said. “But anything you did to make it out alive was the right thing to do.”
 
Lightbody owner and instructor Shalynn Reid asked Peine to speak after the self defense class because she felt it was a good fit.
 
“I think it’s really important to educate and empower ourselves in the world we live in today,” she said. “Just being aware is key, there’s no better way.” 
 
For more information on CMSAC call 320-251-4357 or visit cmsac.org. For more information on the self defense courses offered twice a month at Lightbody, call 320-492-7527 or visit lightbodyshaw.com.