I was hiking with my dog in the bush yesterday, I hike every single day, I was surrounded by the tranquility of nature, when suddenly my day turned into a nightmare. A man, with a shirt tied around his face, tracked me down through the dense terrain. His intention was horrifyingly clear. I was stalked and chased, fearing for my life, running miles towards the sounds of police sirens while I ran with them on speaker as tucked in my hiking vest, Every minute, every second stretched into an eternity, and although I got away, the man was never caught. The terror of yesterday has stolen the one thing that I had in life outside of being a mum that has healed me, that gave me so much appreciation for nature and life! a horrifying experience that should never happen to anyone.

In reaching out to my community, I found I was not alone. Stories began flooding in from women who were also stalked, chased, and left feeling defenseless. Hundreds of voices shared a similar terrifying narrative. We refuse to remain silent victims—we demand change and action.

This is why I am calling for a policy that offers every woman a free self-defense lesson each year, starting from a young school age. By equipping our girls and women with self-defense skills, we empower them to navigate the world with confidence and protection. Imagine, with the government supporting this initiative, we can make our communities safer for women, reducing the risk of rape and abduction.

Statistics show that self-defense training can reduce the risk of assault. According to the Global Preventative Solution on Intimate Partner Violence, women trained in self-defense techniques were significantly more likely to escape from a potential attack and report feeling safer in their everyday lives.

Implementing this policy doesn't just provide safety; it restores a feeling of peace and autonomy to women everywhere. We need decisive governmental support to fund annual self-defense lessons accessible to all women at no cost.

Let's make this vital change happen. Strengthen the stands that uphold safety in our communities, empower our women, and secure a safer future for future generations. Stand with me in urging the government to take action. Sign this petition to show your support for free annual self-defense lessons for women across the nation. Your signature is a step towards safety, empowerment, and change.