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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Karate teacher's 'hair pulls and chokeholds' combat gender-based violence

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A 12-year-old girl in Australia, Savannah Last, was inspired to join a self-defense program after being attacked by teenagers.
  • The Guardian Girls Karate program teaches practical skills like hair grabs and chokeholds to help women and girls combat gender-based violence.
  • The international initiative, supported by the World Karate Federation and the UN, aims to empower females to feel more confident and capable of protecting themselves.

Savannah Last, a 12-year-old karate enthusiast, felt "hopeless" after a traumatic attack by teenagers left her with severe bruising and concussion. The incident outside a supermarket on the NSW Central Coast prompted her to join Guardian Girls Karate (GGK), a program designed to equip women and girls with practical self-defense skills.

I was upset that I didn't defend myself.

— Savannah LastReflecting on her feelings after being attacked by teenagers.

"I was upset that I didn't defend myself," Savannah said, recalling the attack where she was kicked multiple times. The experience left her "scared to go to the shops or even go anywhere" for several days. Her mother, Samantha Neave, and grandmother also joined the program to show their support.

Unlike traditional karate, GGK focuses on "everyday safety" and teaches "hair grabs, chokeholds, shields, how to protect your head and strikes," according to Savannah. Her mother noted that the program changed her perspective on personal safety, emphasizing the importance of walking and speaking with purpose.

For the first couple of days I was scared to go to the shops or even go anywhere.

— Savannah LastDescribing the immediate aftermath of the attack.

Guardian Girls Karate is an international initiative involving the World Karate Federation and the United Nations, specifically targeting gender-based violence. Liz Mahler, an experienced martial arts instructor, adapted the program for Australian participants. It runs over eight weeks, is "trauma-informed," and includes a detailed manual for instructors.

We did hair grabs, we did chokeholds, we did shields, how to protect your head and strikes.

— Savannah LastDetailing the practical skills learned in the Guardian Girls Karate program.

Mahler described the program as a culmination of essential skills for women in moments of pressure, stress, or violence. "It's true that women and girls so often underestimate their capacity," she said. "We're going to show them that they can be physically, mentally and psychologically strong to look after themselves." The program is designed to be "more gritty" than regular karate, teaching effective strikes that are "massively effective for the size that you are, that hopefully aren't going to injure you as well."

Walk strong, speak strong; everything we do is with purpose.

— Samantha NeaveExplaining how the program changed her perspective on personal safety.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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