CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A martial arts instructor focused on women’s self defense is on high alert after two women reported being attacked on walking trails in the Charlotte area.
What You Need To Know
A martial arts instructor offers self-defense techniques
In the past week, two women reported sexual assaults in the Charlotte area
Matthews Police and CMPD are searching for the suspects in the cases
According to CMPD, last Wednesday a woman reported a man forced her to the ground and tried to remove her clothing in an attempt to rape her. Investigators said it happened while she was walking on McAlpine Creek Park in broad daylight. She was able to fight off the suspect and call 911 for her.
She said this happened while walking along McAlpine Creek Park. She was able to fight off the suspect and call 911 for help.
On Sunday, another woman said she was sexually assaulted while walking on a trail near Crestdale Heritage Trail in Matthews.
Eliza Newell practices and teaches martial arts at the Martial Arts Training Institute in South Charlotte.
“Being able to take care of yourself, not just in a self-defense situation but even just standing up for yourself, just across the board, gives you a piece of mind and a confidence that really helps spill over in all aspects of your life,” Newell said.
She visits greenways in the Charlotte area once a week.
When she goes there by herself, she’s mindful of her surroundings and avoids wearing headphones.
“Being able to hear everything that is happening in your surroundings is very crucial,” Newell said.
She’s more on high alert now after learning women reported attacks while walking this past week.
“Even for somebody who trains, it’s still very nerve-racking to be by yourself,” Newell said.
Newell teaches self-defense workshops for women as part of her business called The Guarded Goddess.
“I wanted to create some sort of program where we get into the nitty gritty of to be the best version of yourself,” Newell said.
As part of the program, she talks about women about mental fortitude and ways to fight back.
On Tuesday, she demonstrated some of the techniques with her father, Don, who is also a martial arts instructor.
If you are standing and an attacker grabs your arm, she suggests grabbing the arm back on the inside and as the attacker pulls back to use the elbows and knees to fight back.
Another technique she recommends is anchoring yourself, gouging an attacker on the eyes and pulling your fist away and running after.
If you are on the ground, she said covering your face is a must.
“You want to get up on your elbows bicycle kick as much as you can,” Newell demonstrated.
She said to avoid standing up straight into them.
Newell said in her perspective throwing any strikes and using knees to defend yourself, can serve as a distraction, which can make a difference.
“If they start to attack you and you are fighting back, that’s going to be the biggest deterrent,” Newell said.
She adds having an equalizer you are comfortable using, including pepper spray or a taser, can help too.
Newell said in the past two days, people have reached out to her interested in the workshops, which she teaches for a fee.
Matthews Police gives tips to joggers and walkers to stay safe. This includes going with a friend or in groups, not visiting isolated areas, sharing your location with someone and leaving or keeping low volume to remain alert.
If you have any information about the Sept. 11 case in Matthews, call 704-847-5555 or you can send a tip through their free mobile app. If you have information about the Sept. 7 case in Charlotte, call 704-334-1600 and refer to the report 20220907-1113-03.