Target-hardening class teaches survival, intervention Published Oct. 5, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Frank John Casciotta 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office at Vance Air Force Base is hosting self-defense classes that will teach women how to survive an assault and men how to intervene in a volatile situation. Classes for men will begin in late October. Classes for women will begin Nov. 5 in the Community Chapel Activity Center, Building 528. The classes, called "Target Hardening Self Defense," were designed based on information gained from interviewing sex offenders and victims of sexual assaults and experts in self defense. Thirteen members of Team Vance attended train-the-trainer class earlier this month and will offer two different classes -- one for men and one for women. The female class, called "Target Hardening," teaches women the dynamics of sexual assaults, defensive techniques to handle an attack and how to be a non-desirable target. "After this class you will carry yourself differently," said Savannah Lohn, a SAPR program assistant and certified instructor for the classes. "You will feel more secure knowing you are capable of defending yourself." The male class is called "Targeted Intervention." The class emphasizes preventing potential attacks and how to intervene should a conflict arise. "The male class is about learning basic self defense to be able to stop a volatile situation, like one you might encounter in a bar," said Lohn. The classes will be available to all members of Team Vance, ages 13 and up. Children and teens between 13 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent. For more information and to register for the classes, call 213-5598.