If Angie Link is ever pursued by an attacker, she will know not to panic and how to protect herself through the art of self-defense.

As part of Women’s Safety Week, the Women’s Self Defense course is being offered to SIUC students, faculty and community members. About 36 women attended the first class Wednesday in the Recreation Center.

The second class will be offered at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Recreation Center. There will be a $3 refundable fee.

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Link, a junior in civil engineering from Chester, is a first-time student to the class and said the class will definitely help her.

I always thought it would be a good idea to participate in the class, she said. I need to know what to do in case a situation arose, and I need to defend myself.

Deb Morrow, an instructor for the self-defense course, said self-defense is a needed skill for women.

All women should learn self defense, she said, because it is becoming a much more unpredictable world, and you can’t depend that small, rural towns will be any better than the city.

Morrow said the definition of self-defense depends on what a person is defending.

You as an individual is important, she said. Depending on the situation that you are in, if you are by yourself or if you are with your kids, you will be defending different things.

Morrow said although victims show fear, while being attacked they need to combat that fear.

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November Davison, a self-defense instructor for eight years, said the keys to getting over fear include focusing on such things as loved ones. She said women need to know that loved ones are the reasons for wanting to escape and not becoming a victim.

It is more a psychological thing than a physical thing, Davison said.

The two things that a woman needs to do while being attacked is to assess the situation and know one good move to get away, Davison said.

Confidence is the key, Morrow said. Keep your head up and show your self-confidence.

Christine Schlote, an undecided freshman from Palatine, said she took the class to understand how she can protect herself.

You hear about a lot of attacks, she said. If something were to happen to me, I’d want to know how to defend myself.