The gruesome murder in Sliema last weekend sparked an increase in demand for self-defense courses, especially from women.

Martial arts schools as well as those buffeted by crime have confirmed their interest in self-defense sessions to potentially thwart possible attacks in the future.

Denise Caruana said the murder was a “wake-up call” for many people.

“We tend to believe that would not happen in Malta, but it was always in my head for my daughter mainly.”

She said she had requested more information about self-defense classes for herself and her 13-year-old daughter.

“I would like to attend especially to feel confident and not to panic in an emergency, especially because of my daughter.

Malta is still in shock after the discovery of the lifeless body of Paulina Dembska in the Independence Gardens in Sliema last Sunday with an autopsy report confirming that she was raped and strangled. Investigators believe the assailant did not know his victim.

The founder of the Malta Self-Defense Academy, Mark Spiteri, said Malta timetables that over the past week, he received emails and messages from potential clients asking him to start marriage art classes.

“Most were from women, but I have also received requests from groups of friends and I have three families who request private sessions. “

A father said the decision to send his 15-year-old daughter to self-defense was reinforced after what happened in Dembska.

“We wanted to send it before it happened, but Paulina’s murder made it even more important to us,” said Matthew Borg.

Her daughter will be 16 next month, an age when she will start dating more with friends. Besides his daughter, his wife and niece are also considering enrolling in classes.

On the popular Women for Women Facebook group, many were asking for details about self-defense classes. Others shared their experiences of how self-defense techniques have helped them gain self-confidence.

“I wanted to share my feelings that it was never guns, weapons, or anything else that made me feel safe on the streets around the world, rather than learning to defend myself,” he said. writes a woman.

Founder of the Women for Women community, Francesca Fenech Conti, said that over the past few days, many women have been discussing self-defense classes.

We wanted to send it before it happened, but Paulina’s murder made it even more important to us.

“A lot of women are worried that this could happen to themselves or their daughters, even if they are just feeding cats, taking an early morning walk, or jogging popular populated sites.”

Spiteri said a similar increase in requests occurs whenever a case of violence is reported in the media.

The Malta Self-Defense Academy offers weekly Dragon Kung Fu and Self-Defense classes for all ages, and the school has now set up a Self-Defense Workshop for Women, where women will learn techniques of effective strikes and how to use everyday objects for defense. AIDS.

Spiteri’s comments were echoed by Thomas Guaty, a Brazilian black belt in jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and owner of Avant-Garde Malta, the island’s largest BJJ school.

Operating for more than three years, Avant-Garde also offers specific courses for women.

“We know a number of our students have shared our page and information, and over the course of the few days we’ve had about nine women submitting course requests,” he said.

Guaty said he was surprised to receive requests from other instructors asking to hire his gym to teach their own self-defense classes.

“I don’t approve of people who try to improvise and make a profit after what has happened.”

“Not a one-off thing”

Once a month, Avant-Garde offers a free self-defense course for women, and the first thing Guaty stresses is the importance of discipline.

Learning BJJ or any other martial art is a complete process, not something that happens overnight.

“Training once a month won’t help you defend yourself. You have to be able to control the adrenaline, your emotions and the situation, ”he said.

He said the popular women’s class had been operating for more than three months, but demand had declined slightly due to the pandemic.

“We decided to implement this course because we understand that some women feel more comfortable learning the basics before they start training with men.

In addition to gaining strength, Spiteri said martial arts lessons helped his students gain more self-confidence.

“In my class I have met many different people, adults who have been physically assaulted, children who have been sexually assaulted. I am not a psychologist, but I know that sport helps them grow mentally and overcome their trauma.

He said self-defense teaches a person how to behave more confidently.

Kevin Bonanno, who has been practicing Aikido (a form of martial arts) for over 28 years and is an instructor at Aikikai Aikido Malta, said it was wrong to say that only women should learn self-defense.

“When we relate to a case of femicide, we see a man who cannot control his aggressiveness, his sexual desires and his frustration. Through self-defense lessons, we learn to control our emotions and the situations in which we find ourselves, ”he said.

“If you want to heal and heal society, both sexes must learn self-defense.

“We insure our cars and our property, so being able to protect yourself is just as important. It’s not just about being physically strong, but also about being confident and standing up for yourself. “