Nearly 1 in 5 women in the United States have been victims of sexual assault, according to a 2010 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local self-defense authorities are taking a new approach to fight the endemic.

Lisa Simmons, a third-degree black belt and owner/instructor at Simmons Family Martial Arts in Cape Girardeau, designed a women's self-defense class after years of trying to learn "from a guy's point of view."

"In college, I became involved in martial arts and I was the only girl in class," she said. "One of my first self-defense instructors, a police officer, actually, told me not to fight back, it would only make them mad."

The frustration she and others experienced with the predominantly male self-defense field prompted Simmons to find a new approach with the help of her husband Mike Simmons, also a third-degree black belt and owner/instructor at Simmons Family Martial Arts.

"Women are so intuitive and instinctual, which is a real advantage," he said. "They just need to listen to those instincts."

The problem women face isn't physical, Lisa Simmons said, it's mental. To put it plainly, Mike Simmons said, to avoid embarrassment, many women ignore their instincts when they're approaching a potentially dangerous situation.

"We realized when we first started this class that women tend to second guess themselves because they don't want to look stupid," he said. "So their radar may be tipped off when they see someone lurking around a building or elevator but they're afraid to say anything and be wrong."

Lisa Simmons said that pointing out this fact to women isn't meant to ridicule, but to make them more aware of this stigma so they can use it to their advantage.

"It's not even a confidence issue really," she said. "It's just that we are so much more aware of what everyone thinks of us. But just think, how often do you see people on the news after a tragedy saying 'I thought something might be wrong, but I was afraid to say anything.'"

Violent crime, including rape, happens every day in Missouri. From January to November 2012, 1,247 rapes were reported statewide, with 14 of them in Cape Girardeau County. The county saw 179 aggravated assaults during that time, though that number isn't broken down by a victim's gender.

At their latest Crime and Safety Awareness lecture, officers from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety made similar comments to a crowd of about 25 women.

"We're trying to use our experience as trained officers to help people learn how to handle these situations if they're approached by a stranger," said Capt. Jim McMillen. "Many people struggle with how they should respond. No actual crime has been committed yet and most of us don't like to hurt people's feelings."

Assaults happen in stages, said Mike Simmons, so confronting a possible attacker and breaking the chain early may prevent the actual assault from taking place.

"There are several links in the chain and assault is the last one," he said.

The first link is choosing a victim. A predator will look for someone who won't make eye contact, who doesn't appear confident and most importantly will allow them the easiest access, Mike Simmons said.

"Don't project that defeated victim mentality," he cautioned. "If they see that you're going to put up a fight, then they're probably going to move on."

Try to "throw them off a little," said Sgt. Zach Albright of the Sikeston DPS. Don't be afraid to ask "who are you" or "what are you doing," he said.

"It also helps to think of 'what if' scenarios in your head," Albright said. "If you're thinking of an exit plan before you get into that situation you're less likely to freeze up and panic if you are approached by someone."

If a predator does find someone who seems to be an easy victim, the next step is to test them, said Mike Simmons. It starts with a simple push and invading personal space to see how much the victim will take.

The final step before actual assault is to approach and isolate the victim, he said, and the chances of escaping without a physical altercation significantly drop.

According to Mike Simmons, escaping with little or no harm is still possible.

"No matter where you're being grabbed the most important thing you need most is space," he said. "You need room to work so you can use your hands to fight him off."

Never underestimate the power of yelling.

"Yelling is one of your most important weapons," said Mike and Lisa's daughter Caitlin Simmons, who demonstrates many of the self-defense techniques in the classes. "Be forceful, if he yells at you then you yell back at him even louder. It's empowering."

Once the situation has escalated to a level where assault or physical contact is inevitable, know what your strengths are, Mike Simmons said.

"Using your fist and your knuckles will actually hurt your hand and your wrist," he explained. "But using the heel of your open palm, or an elbow or even a good kick to the shin can really do a lot of damage."

In the self-defense classes, Mike and Lisa's son Ryan Simmons, another instructor, will don what the Simmons family calls the "suit," the head-to-toe padding that allows participants to practice their hits and swings on a "predator." To truly learn self-defense, Lisa Simmons said, you have to physically go through the motions.

"Most girls don't grow up hitting, so it's not a natural thing," Lisa Simmons said. "Guys grow up with playful hitting and get used to the bumps and bruises but a lot of girls are used to being the nurturer."

Tysha Bortner, a mother of three from Jackson, has attended many martial arts and self-defense classes.

"It's very enlightening and I do think it makes you more prepared," she said. "When you watch TV, it looks so easy to get out of a bad situation, but that's not what it's really like."

Bortner said she encourages other women to take such classes as they are a "good confidence booster."

Women's self-defense classes at Simmons Family Martial Arts are available for small groups upon request by visiting simmonsfamilyma.com. The Sikeston Department of Public Safety Crime and Safety Awareness lectures will be offered throughout the year at their facility in Sikeston.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

2129 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

201 S. Kingshighway, Sikeston, Mo.