Self-Defense Event Trains Students to Fight Back

Students learned the basics of self-defense through an informational presentation and training session with Hyde Park police officers.

Detective Christian McGaw and Officer Justin Felicello demonstrate how to escape from a chokehold for students. Photo courtesy Elsa Blease '25

Students and faculty gathered to learn self-defense tactics from Hyde Park, New York police officers on Nov. 18 in the student center. 

The event was a fundraiser for Grace Smith House, a local organization that supports victims of domestic violence. It was organized by student body president Sheridan Speight ‘25, Elsa Blease ‘25 and Isabella Goncalves '26, as part of their Leadership and Management in Nonprofit Organizations class with Dr. James Melitski. 

In the class, the groups craft bylaws and a mission statement while creating a marketing strategy for the nonprofit. By partnering with a current nonprofit, they can learn the behind-the-scenes of running an organization. 

Through their work, Speight, Blease and Goncalves have raised $2,635 for Grace Smith House. Speight was drawn to this issue due to the current political climate. 

“Women's issues in general are really on the forefront of my mind, given the post-Roe v. Wade world,” said Speight. “I think it’s super important to emphasize the fact that there are major women's issues going on in the world.”

The group created this event as a way to share expertise and give fellow students practical ways to address potential violence. 

“We worked with the Hyde Park Police Department, who was willing to do a situational awareness and self-protection class, which was a similar thing, but more of an interactive scenario-based type thing,” said Speight. “It's definitely more hands-on than just sitting and listening and learning.”

The event began with a short speech from business professor Dr. Joanne Gavin, who is the author of the book, “Ending Sexual Violence in College: A Community-Focused Approach.” Gavin stressed the importance of educating the entire student population on these issues.

“We need to make people [aware], and we need to understand it's not just educating potential victims, it's educating potential perpetrators and educating everyone to bystander awareness,” Gavin said.

After Gavin, the 12 students in attendance heard from representatives from Grace Smith House and Hyde Park Police Chief Robert Benson.

Officer Justin Felicello and Detective Christian McGaw led the two-hour-long session. Throughout the class, they stressed the importance of situational awareness in avoiding violence. Felicello and McGaw recommend practicing awareness of exits in rooms and paying attention to the people around you. 

“Everyone thinks if something happens, ‘I'm going to have time.’ You typically don’t,” said Felicello. “That’s actually what is working against us in most situations.”.

Later in the class, Felicello had the students form groups and discuss how they would handle different example situations. This exercise helped prepare participants to handle a variety of situations.

“I’m really passionate about reality-based training so that if you’re in that situation, your brain is primed to deal with it,” said Felicello.

Felicello then demonstrated important defense tactical skills with McGaw, so the students could practice with their partners. They primarily worked on escaping from a chokehold. 

Despite Felicello’s dedication to preparedness, he emphasized how violence is not the only answer. Sometimes, de-escalation is the best tactic to stay safe. 

“The best fight is one I never get in,” said Felicello. “The fighting aspect is absolutely there, but I always say fighting is my last resort because ultimately, you want to get away.”