Aylmer mom brings self-defence to the community with the help of martial arts school

Taylor Clark

A hair-raising encounter with a stranger left an Aylmer woman determined to build a safer community.

“At that moment I realized I’ve never actually taken self-defence and I wasn’t 100 per cent sure what I should have done in that situation,” said Kathleen Fortin. “Everything goes through your head when something like that happens. You don’t think it’s ever going to happen to you.”

With her baby in tow, Fortin set about on an everyday trip to a local big box store. As she checked things off her list, she got an eery feeling they were being followed. Testing her hunch, Fortin began maneuvering down random aisles, but the stranger remained on her tail.

“This person ended up following me to my vehicle and everything,” said Fortin.

Realizing the stranger knew her vehicle, Fortin returned inside to get the help of an employee. Once the stranger was out of sight, Fortin loaded her car and headed to the closest police station to file a report.

Though shaken by the incident, Fortin shared her experience on social media in hopes of organizing a course to equip the community with the know-how to keep themselves safe. “You don’t realize how scary it is in those situations until it happens to you, and how important it is.”

She was quickly met with comments and private messages about similar experiences. “It was scary that it’s a common thing happening. People didn’t feel safe and didn’t know how to respond to these situations.”

The overwhelming response led Fortin to team up with Outlaw Martial Arts to deliver an introduction to self-defence workshops for women as well as teens and tweens. Focusing on defending against an attack from a stranger, attendees will learn ways to stay safe and what signs to pick up on.

Women have the choice between two sessions while those aged 10 to 15 will be grouped together in a later workshop. All sessions will be held on November 2 at Christ Church in Aylmer. The workshops will also double with all the proceeds going to the church. “We’re helping the community in different ways all at once.” The minimum cost is $25 per participant, but donations are also being accepted via e-transfer to kbyrne@outlook.com.

Leading the sessions will be sensei Mike Lance, a third-degree black belt in traditional jiu-jitsu, a black belt in combat jiu-jitsu, and a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. At his side, his wife and business partner Lija Logan, is also a black belt in traditional jiu-jitsu.

“The beautiful part about jiu-jitsu is it’s the opposite of fighting,” said Lance. “Jiu-jitsu is avoiding and transferring weight and learning to manipulate the joints.”

In boxing, Muay Thai, and Taekwondo, the fighters’ goal is to strike their opponents, while the core of jiu-jitsu lies in using an opponent’s force against themselves.

“It’s not guaranteeing that you’re going to get out of every situation, or away from every single person who comes at you; it’s the confidence to be able to say, ‘at least I can think of something to do and not feel like the victim’,” said Logan.

Breaking these barriers and developing that confidence doesn’t happen in an hour and 15 minutes. Lance said it comes with practice and building your comfort level in inadequate positions.

“It’s a lot of repetition like anything you do,” said the sensei. “We want to make sure that what we do when we do these self-defence classes is an introduction to look at what’s possible.”

Those looking to continue their journey in self-defence can sign up for a four-week program at the event.

For more information and the registration sheet, search “Self-Defence Fundraiser in partnership with Outlaw Martial Arts” on Facebook events.