The Plain City Police Department is aiming to empower local women by equipping them with knowledge.
PCPD is hosting a training program titled “Empowering Women through Education” this week.
Two different sessions of the free course will be hosted, from 6-9 p.m. Thursday and noon-3 p.m. Saturday. Participants only need to attend one session.
Officials from the police department said knowledge is often the best protection against potential threats.
“Safety awareness is the first and best step in protecting yourself as this oftentimes helps prevent being placed in dangerous or vulnerable situations,” according to a statement from PCPD.
The training is open to all Plain City residents and is geared toward helping women stay safe through being aware of their surroundings and informing them of potential dangers and risks they may face in their everyday lives.
While the course is available to all “mothers, daughters, sisters and friends,” Chief Dale McKee said at a recent council meeting that he would not recommend those younger than 16 attend.
He said the training will include topics surrounding assault, which may be better addressed with younger women by parents than police officers.
Participants will learn about being aware of situations and surroundings; giving out too much information; helping those who are victims of domestic violence; knowing when they are being manipulated; spotting ways “a guy will try to break you down to have sex with you;” protecting themselves from sexual assault; recognizing sexual predators and understanding human trafficking.
The training was last offered in 2019, when approximately 80 women attended, according to PCPD.
The educational course will be followed with an optional women’s self-defense training session in November, which will give participants hands-on practice in physically defending themselves against an attack. The date has yet to be announced.