We hear the story of Michelle, who recovered from the ordeal of being raped at knife-point in her early teens to rebuild her life through martial arts.
By Fergus Ryan
The rise in popularity of Mixed Martial Arts has polarised opinions on combat sports and their place in society. The easy, much peddled argument is that it’s too brutal for general consumption and those that engage are satisfying a primal blood lust. These views, though, are given from a position of ignorance. For every ten competitors in combat sports there are hundreds of people who train just for fitness, to build self confidence or, more importantly, for self defence.
Though not foremost in people’s minds, self defence may be needed now more than ever. In the 32 years since the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre was established calls to the national 24 hour helpline has increased from 76 in 1979 to 14,289 in 2009. The easiest form of self defence might be to stay inside, shut off from danger behind closed doors.
I caught up with Michelle, who comes from the UK but has family ties in Belfast, Cork and Dublin. For the last 20 years or so Michelle has been living life as completely and positively as she can. In the last number of years Michelle began training in a wide range of martial arts for all the benefits listed above.
Michelle had been a typical teenager: everything was about her friends and she had only a passing interest in sport. Her life changed forever when she was 14, one night on the way back from a friend’s house. Taking the usual route home down a secluded path Michelle was raped at knifepoint.
“There isn’t a guide book available at the local library that tells you how to react, how to behave or how to deal with the after effects if you have been attacked or raped,” she says.
“One minute you’re in a nice routine – going out with your friends, going to school, and worrying if the local shop had stocked up on your favourite chocolate bars … and the next minute your life changes forever.”
While dealing with one of the worst things that could happen to a young girl, it was a family member who reached out and introduced Michelle to an activity that would help rebuild her life. “After being raped my uncle asked me if I would attend a local martial arts class. I said I would give it a go and he took me to the class.
“I was very nervous and to this day I still get a little nervous when I train somewhere new. I was surprised as I really loved Martial Arts and now have my uncle to thank for that. It really gave me a lot of confidence, it’s a great way to release stress and you feel energised due to the exercise. I have made some fantastic friends through the Martial Arts world and training.”
She trained in Wado Ryu Karate amongst other martial arts for about six years before the club closed and Michelle stepped away for a while. “One day I messaged an old friend of mine who I used to train with, Mick Tully. He had started up his own Martial Arts club ‘Complete Self Protection’ alongside Al Peasland and he asked if I’d like to pop down and train with them. I went along and have never looked back.” Tully, who originally hails from Dublin, moved to Coventry as a child. He now runs Complete Self Protection programmes in Coventry and Milton Keynes.
The programme at ‘Complete Self Protection’ acknowledges that there is no one martial art that has every solution for all situations. For Michelle and many other students this mixed martial arts training is about personal development. “Since I have started training again it has totally changed my life entirely. With ‘Complete Self Protection’ I now practice Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Real Combat System, Jeet Kune Do, Kali and Knife Work, Panatukan, Grappling/Wrestling. Also about six to eight months ago I started Boxing Technique at Redcorner Boxing Academy. I used to only train 1-2 hours a week and I now train anywhere from 5-8 hours a week at least. I just love training and learning new skills.”
With more experience than most at a relatively young age, Michelle is unequivocal on the benefits of training in combat sports and martial arts. “I think everyone should try Martial Arts/ Self Defence at least once, as it could save or change your life. The most important factor is being more aware of your environment and the people around you, knowing what to look out for and being selfish about your own safety.”
However, Michelle explains there are some things that you can never learn in the class. Sometimes flight can and should overpower the urge to fight. “Rule number one is to run, screaming, as fast as you can if you feel you are in danger; don’t hang around to see if your technique works on the street. It’s only if you can’t get away that you should attack.
“You don’t know how you will react physically when faced with an attacker. Unfortunately for me, my body reacted negatively to the fear and adrenalin, which meant I couldn’t speak properly, I was shaking uncontrollably, my brain told me to run but my body was frozen and paralysed with fear.
“You could know every technique known to man, but when faced with a life and death situation it doesn’t necessarily mean your body will allow you to react in the way you want it to. There is no saying my body would have reacted any different if I had any martial arts training. We are all different and react in different situations.
“I would still recommend that it is better to equip yourself with some training and knowledge, as it could save your life. My instructor often offers a women’s self defence workshop, which is a one off session where the women learn key life saving skills. It’s a shame it’s not taught in all schools as part of the curriculum.”
In addition to the fitness, added confidence and potential life saving skills Michelle has acquired, she is immensely proud of her training to date. This is just one of her achievements after an event that could have caused her life to spiral downward. “Some of my greatest personal achievements include that I have progressed in my Martial Arts, have made my family proud, I have started doing motivational talks (www.michellefightingback.co.uk) to help others, and that the story of my attack is being made into a film by Geoff Thompson, which will hopefully help people who have been through similar situations.”
Sometimes, the last word on a serious crime is that the perpetrator has been prosecuted and jailed. In this instance we’d like to give Michelle the last word, which may inspire you to join a martial arts club or may help somebody who has had a common experience.
“Being raped at knife point is just another thing that has happened in my life. It’s just one of my experiences. It hasn’t stopped me from doing anything or made me a negative person; if anything it’s had the opposite effect. It has helped me to challenge myself, to strive for better in life and made me appreciate what is important in life.
“I really don’t like the term ‘victim’. I’ve never been a ‘victim’ and refuse point blank to become one. As far as I’m concerned the word victim suggests a person has been beaten, that the attacker has won. I decided my attacker could only win if I allowed him to destroy me, if I gave him that power and if I allowed him to defeat me. I believe we all have an inner strength that helps us to deal with tough situations throughout our lives. Never let anyone take control over your life and don’t give anyone the satisfaction of knowing that they have ruined your life. Fight back… I did!”
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