Safety Through Active Response Training (S.T.A.R.T.)

 

Recognizing the need for a community based Women’s Self Defense course the Butler County Sheriff’s Office created a team of specialists to research and develop a program that fit the needs of the community as well as being effective in real world conditions.

 
 

Sgt. Chuck Laymon

 Dep. Kim Peters Dep. Zane Nickell

 

In the summer of 2006 Sgt. Chuck Laymon, Dep. Kim Peters and Training Officer Zane Nickell founded S.T.A.R.T. (Safety Through Active Response Training) The program is both flexible and customizable providing students with detailed instructions in Ohio self defense laws, self-defense strategies, and techniques. Additionally, students will learn tactics to avoid violent encounters.

  

Following instruction, students will be given an opportunity to test their new skills in dynamic simulations of real world attacks. The full course is set for twelve hours, but shorter classes can be created as needed. Safety lectures are also available upon request.  

 

For further information please contact:

 

   Lieutenant Jean Collett - 513-785-1007

 

 

 

Photos Taken At Various Training Sessions

 

 

 

Demonstration of "Passive Resistance"

 Class held in Trenton, Ohio Deputy Kim Peters demonstrates a  self-defense technique

You're never too old or too young to train! Deputy Kim Peters demonstrates a method for breaking an attackers grip Dynamic Simulation Drill

Miami University Womens Self Defense Class - June 2008

 

 

   Here are some tips to help avoid being assaulted.

 

On the Street safety tips

  • Do not walk alone.
  • Always stay in well-lighted areas.
  • Do not take short cuts where you would be in a deserted area.
  • Walk near the curb and avoid passing close to shrubbery, dark doorways and other places of concealment.
  • Do not hitchhike.
  • If someone in a car ask for assistance do not get close to the car.
  • If a car approaches you and you feel threatened, scream and run in the direction opposite of the one the car is going.
  • If you feel you are being followed go to the nearest open business, police department, fire department, or any area where other people will be. Call the Police from there.
  • If you carry a purse, hold it close to your body.
  • Have your key ready to enter your residence or car.

Driving safety tips

  • Never pick up hitchhikers.
  • Always keep your car doors locked.
  • When parking at night, select a place that will be well lit when returning to the car.
  • Look in back seat and floor board before entering your car.
  • When approaching your car in a parking lot, look all around the area for anything that does not look right. If you see anything that looks suspicious near your car, keep going and call the Police as soon as possible. If you can get in your car safely, lock the doors and go somewhere and contact the Police about your suspicions.
  • Keep gas above 1/4 tank.
  • When ever-possible travel on well lighted streets.
  • If you are ever being followed go to the nearest police department, fire department, or open business. If vehicle pulls in behind you and you do not know the individual blow the car horn to attract attention. DO NOT GET OUT OF CAR UNTIL YOU ARE SAFE.
  • If your car is being repaired leave only the car keys with the repair shop.
  • If you are having car problems and cannot raise the hood, stay in the car and wait for help. If someone stops to help, roll down the window just enough to talk to them and ask them to call a relative, friend, garage or the police for you.
  • There are several ways to react to a sexual assault...
  • The best resistance you can use against an attacker is your common sense. Think! Don't panic. The most important element to remember is that you are not trying to fight the attacker, but are attempting to divert the person long enough to get away. Always look for a way to escape. If the attacker has a weapon, use your common sense.
  • Break away and run toward areas with people. Be observant so that you will be able to remember and identify the assailant.

 

Passive Resistance

 

The goal of passive resistance is to think and talk your way out of the situation. With passive resistance, you can:

  • Try to calm the attacker. Try to persuade him not to carry out the attack.
  • Claim to be sick or pregnant. Tell him you have a sexually transmitted disease. This may intimidate the attacker.
  • Try to discourage him. Pretend to faint, cry hysterically, and act insane or mentally incapacitated.
  • If you're at your residence, tell the attacker a friend is coming over or that your spouse or roommate will be back soon.

Active Resistance

 

Active resistance is intended to distract or temporarily  your attacker to create an opportunity for escape. Nobody can tell you whether or not active resistance will be the "right" thing to do. A decision to resist actively, however, is irreversible. Your goal is to escape. Here are some pros and cons regarding the most common types of active resistance:

 

YELLING - If the attacker is unarmed, you may be able to scare, distract or injure the person enough to make your escape.

STRUGGLING and FIGHTING BACK

MARTIAL ARTS

  • Special self-defense skills such as judo or karate are popular. If you are proficient in such techniques, they can be very effective. But proficiency requires practice.

WEAPONS

  • Some people carry weapons such as guns, knives, or spray chemicals to ward off attackers. Unless you are trained and not afraid to use these weapons, they can be very dangerous. The attacker might be able to turn them against you. Also, some weapons cannot legally be carried, so check with local law enforcement authorities.