A Guide Dogs Victoria program has taught self-defence skills to a group of blind and visually imparied people in Geelong.
Guide Dogs spokesperson Shelley Pannier said about a dozen participants underwent two-and-a-half hours of self-defence and safety lessons, which included Geelong police involvement.
Self-defence instructor Catherine Schnell said people with vision problems needed to be “confident” when travelling independently.
Ms Schnell said “using your voice” and a strong physical stance were “powerful ways” for blind people to assert themselves against would-be assailants.
Physical force was the “last resort”, she said.
“We still teach skills about how to use your hands to put distance between yourself and someone who is encroaching on your person space and how to physically defend yourself if absolutely required but using your voice and maintaining good balance and stance are very important.
“Telling people clearly that their behaviour is unwelcome alerts the person who is encroaching on your personal space and others around.”
The participants were advised that the face was a “much more sensitive area to strike” than the groin if a physical response was unavoidable, Ms Schnell said.
They also learnt how to break free of attackers with “twisting or turning techniques”.
