Women learn to fight fear with self-defense

02/05/2007

Angela Carter , Register Staff

NEW HAVEN — A martial arts instructor is offering women in Fair Haven an alternative to living in fear in the wake of four sexual assaults in this riverside community: a way to help defend themselves. Larry Rogers runs the Top Ten Karate Studio at 244 Grand Ave., a historic thoroughfare bustling with ethnic botegas.

But in the shadows of neighborhood markets, homes and schools, bakeries and banks, lurks an unwanted visitor.

Four women were sexually assaulted in their homes in the last 12 months, and police have found similarities that lead investigators to believe the attacks were committed by the same person.

Rogers will offer a free self-defense class beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday at Top Ten for females 14 and older.

He said Fair Haven Alderwoman Maria Reyes-Rivera, D-15, asked him if he would show defensive techniques to females in the neighborhood who are frightened at the thought that a rapist still is at large.

"Police are doing an excellent job sending out alerts," Reyes-Rivera said. "But residents can feel more secure by learning something that might protect them. I think this is great."

Reyes-Rivera, who has reached a yellow belt in karate, volunteered to be a sparring partner for participants during the class.

Janine Colon, who was waiting with a friend at the school bus stop at Pine and Bright streets, said the attacks have a lot of people worried, and she thinks the self-defense class was a good idea.

Hundreds of fliers were distributed at Quinnipiac Terrace, a new mixed-income development by the river, warning residents to lock their windows and doors, she said.

"I would love that, as long as it would provide something to do with him," she said, pointing to a toddler in her arms.

And it’s not just because of the possibility of a serial rapist in their community.

The corner of Bright and Pine is a hangout for prostitutes, said her friend, Tina Torres, of Atwater Street, and strange men approach her while she waits at the bus stop every day to pick up her child.

"I feel very uncomfortable. It’s not very safe," she said.

Rogers, a black belt for 30 years and a city firefighter, said he will cover mental and physical aspects of self-defense: Being aware of your surroundings and in communication with others about your travels, as well as striking, kicking and take-down moves.

For a bit of a preview, Rogers advised people to refrain from being out alone at night; to avoid walking near walls, hedges or other sight obstructions; and to have someone looking for you to arrive at a destination.

"Let people know where you’re going and when you’re coming home," he said, adding that self-defense also includes not having a predictable routine.

"Stalkers follow your patterns. Sometimes you’re not the random person, you’re the watched person," he said.

Top Ten also offers karate, defensive kickboxing and karate aerobics classes for children and adults.

Rogers recommended wearing athletic clothing and sneakers to the workshop.

Bonnie Winchester, spokeswoman for the police department, said the four sexual assault cases remain under investigation. Police are asking anyone with information to call the department at (203) 946-8244 or (203) 946-6933.

The most recent attack occurred Jan. 21, in the Front/Chapel streets area, when a woman managed to fight off a male intruder.

In a Jan. 10 incident, a woman in the Middletown Avenue/Barnes Avenue area was raped in her home.

The other two attacks happened nearly 11 months ago.

Jan. 28, 2006, a woman was sexually assaulted in the Front/Pine streets area at home. Another woman was attacked Feb. 20, 2006, in the Grand/Clinton avenues area in her home.

For more information about Saturday’s class, call Reyes-Rivera at (203) 497-9690, or the karate studio at (203) 865-2095.

Angela Carter can be reached at 789-5614 or acarter@nhregister.com.