CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – Putting his 40 years of martial arts experience to use, Col. James Cummings taught a group of more than 25 Soldiers personal protective measures as part of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month activities at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, April 11.
The course, which is designed for non-martial artists, focused on surviving an attack and breaking free.
“This will teach people how not to be the victim, to get into the survival mindset and have a greater situational awareness about what’s around them,” said Cummings, theater veterinarian, Task Force 8th Medical.
During the hour-long course, Cummings demonstrated techniques to use if confronted by an attacker. Included in those were using your voice and learning how to fall and then kick at your attacker until you can break free.
“It’s all about survival versus learning how to fight,” said Cummings, who is a certified instructor in personal protective measures.
Highlighting personal protection allows CAS’s service members to add a skill that can help them stay safe.
“It gives us opportunities to come together as a community and figure out how we can prevent something like this from happening. A class like this can really help,” said Sgt. 1st Class Annette Brown, victim advocate, TF 8th Medical.
During April, Area Support Group-Qatar is hosting several events across CAS to mark SAAPM. Additional events during this month include a fitness challenge, a paint night, a guest speaker and table displays at the dining facility.
“SAAPM is more than just a month, it’s a movement that helps us not only respond but to give voice to those that are victims of assault and harassment,” Brown said.