Peggy Pope and John Hughes demonstrate an upper strike using the palm of the hand. A strike such as this can be effective to use toward the chin or the nose of an attacker at a previous self-defense class. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

Peggy Pope and John Hughes demonstrate an upper strike using the palm of the hand. A strike such as this can be effective to use toward the chin or the nose of an attacker at a previous self-defense class. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

According to national statistics sites, a woman is beaten or abused in the United States every nine seconds. Most of the time, those incidents are by an intimate partner.

Mesquite is not immune to these statistics.

Take a look at the Mesquite Police Department blotter any given week and there are several calls related to domestic violence. It’s become a common call. It shouldn’t be.

The Women’s Defensive Weaponry Club (WDW) is seeking to reduce these numbers in Mesquite and the surrounding areas with the help of John Hughs, a Personal Safety Consultant with background in martial arts, hand-to-hand combat and years of self-defense experience. For over 30 years, Hughs has shown women all around the world how they can be better prepared if they find themselves under attack. And it’s easier than one might think.

“Being aware of your surroundings does so much,” said Hughs. “And if you stand your ground, it makes all the difference.”

Most people assume that the statistics speak to women of younger ages. That’s not always the case, as Hughs points out. “An 80-year-old woman is not free from being attacked. It’s a power thing,” he said.

So, to help empower women of all ages throughout the Virgin Valley, Hughs will join with the WDW in presenting a free two-hour seminar on Saturday, March 5 at 2 p.m. to educate them on the simplest techniques as an introduction to the WDW’s ongoing self-defense classes.

There will be other experts on hand, such as Lance Barr with Wild West Firearms as well as Mike and Jan Sullivan from Guns and Guitars, who will also provide other tips, tricks, hints and information that may just save a woman’s life in the future, with or without the use of a firearm.

Pre-registration is required for the seminar. Those interested may call 702-345-3134, email WDWMesquite@gmail.com or go to Guns & Guitars at 1085 W Pioneer Blvd Suite 170. The location of the event will be at the Smokin Gun Range, 970 E. Peppermill Palms Blvd: take Hillside past Desert Skies, turn right at the Palms Golf Club sign, drive past the golf club and down a hill, the workshop is in the large grey building past the dirt track.