Seattle gym empowering women through self-defense workshop

SEATTLE -- Four major Western Washington cities - Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, and Tacoma - all saw a spike in violent crime in 2016 according to FBI statistics. Data also shows every eight seconds someone is assaulted somewhere in the U.S.

With April marking Sexual Assault Awareness Month, one local self-defense gym is working to empower women.

Saturday morning at Krav Maga Seattle, the main gym was packed with women who were about to start a workout to protect themselves.

"Prepare for a worst case scenario of an attack," said Catherine Buck of Krav Maga Seattle.

Leaders of the seminar reminded the attendees they can't be ready for an attack if they're looking down at their cell phones while walking around outside.

"Walking down the street with my phone is something I used to do, but I'm trying very hard not to do it anymore," said participant Julie Huynh-Rusk.

It's the first lesson in Saturday's Women's Empowerment Seminar.

"You're just thinking about what you're doing. You're not thinking about other people are watching what you're doing that was probably the biggest wake-up call for me," said seminar participant Alyssa Yabrough.

Being aware of your surroundings is an active lesson. So is putting politeness to the side and trusting your instincts.

"It makes our instincts to not be rude to people to not react in an aggressive way if we might be in danger," said Huynh-Rusk.

"If your sixth sense is telling you something is not right and you just don`t feel safe about that situation then just don`t put yourself in that situation," said Buck.

"The distance is good in a dangerous situation the distance provides you with a lot of time to get away," said Huynh-Rusk.

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