Girls Fight Back introduces the FIGHT LIGHT
Walking through campus, going to work or heading out socially shouldn’t be a scary experience—but for many women, it’s exactly that. Those working in campus safety often wonder what extra can be done to give female students and staff that feeling of personal security. What often results is women being given a whistle and told never to walk alone at night.
Founder and CEO of Girls Fight Back, Erin Weed, believes there are better options out there. “Giving out whistles is really just telling women that if they find themselves in a bad situation, you better hope someone will hear and come to your aid. Not so empowering, huh? Forget teaching women to hope someone else will save us…we should learn to save ourselves,” said Erin.
As for walking alone, Erin questions the practicality of that advice in this day and age. “Is it actually possible for a woman to never be by herself after dusk? Is that what we want for ourselves, our friends and our daughters? Since most assaults happen in a woman’s home or at work anyway, exactly how dangerous are our streets? If never being alone and having a curfew is what it means to be an empowered woman in 2011, then I’m just not feelin’ it,” said Erin.
WIth a newfound empowerment, women shouldn’t find the darkest alley and walk down it, just for the sake of rebellion. Instead, it’s all about having the proper safety tools—both mentally and physically. Women need to equip themselves with the ability to handle any kind of dangerous situation that may present itself… wherever they go and for the rest of their lives.
Self-reliance is exactly what the Girls Fight Back presentation teaches. Starting with Erin’s personal story of losing one of her close friends, and Alpha Phi sorority sister, to a homicide committed by a fellow student at Eastern Illinois University, Girls Fight Back facilitators teach young women to predict, prevent and fight back against violent individuals if necessary.
What is the Fight Light? Is it a tool? A weapon?
Think about a police officer. Cops always have flashlights on their belts, just because it’s one of the most applicable survival tools out there. Light provides vision, which is closely tied to safety. Flashlights are great tools even during non-violent confrontations like fires, power outages, flat tires and natural disasters. Light allows us to defend ourselves, armed with the clarity of knowing where we are going. At the same time, light also gives us confidence.
On a more tactical level, the Fight Light can be used to strike an attacker’s vulnerable body parts, the keys (which attach to the end of the Fight Light) can be snapped in an attacker’s face, the handle can be used for pressure point control tactics and the light can be shined into a person’s eyes, temporarily blinding them.
Students have the right to live their lives on their terms, to not be afraid and to have the confidence to walk alone. Girls Fight Back will arm students with the proper skills and tools they need to go forth and conquer the world. It’s not about fighting—it’s about having the peace of mind to handle all of life’s curve balls.
Fight Light instruction will be integrated into all Girls Fight Back presentations starting in Fall 2011 so audience members will learn how to utilize this new safety tool. Arrangements can be made for all audience members to receive a Fight Light for a low price. Watch an video about the Fight Light HERE.
Check out campuspeak.com/gfb for more information on the Girls Fight Back presentation and the new addition of the Fight Light.
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