By Anna Skinner
With two daughters at Westfield High School planning on attending college soon, Leah Severson hoped to give them some information to protect them on a college campus against perpetrators.
That led to Severson writing “Bulletproof Security and Self-Defense for College Bound Women.”
“Once the book came out and I realized how super helpful it was, I designed a self-defense class for this particular age group because they do need to take a self-defense class, but I had so many parents say they wanted to take one, too,” Severson said. “It started as a book that ballooned into self-defense class for high school, college kids and up.”
On April 17, Severson will be holding another self-defense class at Carmel Lutheran Church, appropriate for high-school-aged kids and older.
“All proceeds benefit Making Good Decisions, an organization designed to help teach people about the Lifeline Law in Indiana and the dangers of alcohol poisoning,” Severson said.
The class costs $40, and those interested can register at bulletproofwomen.org/clc.
“When you look at the statistics at what has happened just at IU alone in the last five years, four women have either been killed or gone missing,” Severson said. “They can wear anything they want to the class because in reality, you don’t get to pick what you wear when someone attacks you. People might be more comfortable in workout clothing, but anything goes.”
The class is two hours. Severson said that usually, she teaches at Crossfit gyms across the county.
“There are obviously issues that this age of young women are dealing with, and they’re not being prepared for it at all,” she said. “And it’s happening whether they are prepared or not.”
Severson is certified in self-defense from professors at Ball State. She received the certification in 2015. She also owns a portrait studio in Westfield.
