Fighting for
their lives

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

Police officer Mark Mroz lay on the floor, trapped under his opponent’s arm.
Although Mroz practices martial arts and stays active as an officer with the 2nd Police District, he was no match for the smaller, yet determined, individual who had tackled him to the ground.
"A one-hundred-pound woman should be able to defend herself against a two-hundred, three-hundred-pound man," said Linda Fluharty, Mroz’s opponent.
The demonstration was part of WomanSafe, a safety and self-defense workshop held April 30 at the Jardel Recreation Center in Burholme. Mroz and Fluharty, an instructor at Tiger Schulmann’s Karate at 2053 Cottman Ave., led the event attended by about 50 women who ranged from teenagers to senior citizens.
Mroz planned the workshop to help female residents of the area feel empowered, especially in light of some recent incidents in his police district.
"There were a number of elderly women who had their purses snatched, and some alleged rapes in the area," Mroz said. "I thought this would be a good program."
The name of the program, WomanSafe, comes from a Minnesota-based organization now called the HOPE Center. The group assists victims of domestic abuse, child abuse and sexual assault through healing, outreach, prevention and education.
Every two and a half minutes, someone in the United States falls victim to sexual assault, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice. In 38 percent of the cases, the perpetrator is someone the victim knows.
The WomanSafe program took place at the end of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Throughout April, Take Back the Night rallies were held at college campuses and public places around the world. The rally originated in the 1970s as a way for women to stand up to the fear of being victimized at night.
The 2nd district’s WomanSafe program included an informational talk followed by a self-defense class. Several advanced students from the Tiger Schulmann school helped coach the WomanSafe program. Fluharty said the martial-arts school holds self-defense classes at its studio several times a year.
Fluharty revealed the story behind her own decision to pursue martial arts — at 17 she was the victim of an attempted sexual assault, a traumatic encounter that she never reported to police and kept from friends for years.
"I didn’t even tell my best friend until I was twenty-one," Fluharty said.
During last week’s self-defense session, she and Mroz went over tips to stay safe, including keeping your purse secure and walking on the sidewalk, but close to the curb, so that you can get away quickly if an attacker is hiding near a darkened storefront or alley.
An 80-year-old Burholme woman who wished not to give her name said she had her purse snatched several years ago. She chased her assailant until a bystander caught and restrained him. The man is now in jail for the crime, the woman said.
Still, the incident proved frightening enough that she made permanent changes to her lifestyle. "Things have changed a lot in here," she said, pointing to her chest. "I won’t drive at night . . . I don’t go out at night."
Standing barefoot on blue mats, the women in the class practiced punches, kicks, blocks and even some yelling to help them fend off potential attackers.
"The basic thing is just not to give up," said Mroz. "Simply screaming or taking a defensive stance can make someone feel intimidated."
Lynn Genetti, president of the 2nd Police District Advisory Council, attended the event with her daughter, Christie Grosh, who teaches in a crime-ridden Kensington neighborhood.
"I take public transportation to Center City and walk around the neighborhood when I’m home," said Genetti. "I thought it would be a good idea (to take the class)."
Another woman who wished to remain anonymous said that the self-defense moves seemed natural after a few tries. "It just becomes automatic," she said. "It’s great for women to be able to defend themselves."
Burholme resident Beverly Volandt sat and watched the class with her granddaughter Emily Andrews, 13.
"We’re living in the city of murder," said Volandt. "I won’t go out at night."
Her granddaughter said that when she goes out to public places, she travels in packs with her friends. There are many places she’s not allowed to go to at all.
"We’re not allowed to go to places like Franklin Mills," she said of the sprawling Far Northeast mall.
Mroz said he’s unsure whether he’ll host future self-defense workshops. He runs safety workshops in the police district each month, but varies the topic for each.
Still, he was happy with the community’s interest in educating themselves to stay safe.
"It was a good turnout," Mroz said. "It was a way to get together and do something with the community." ••
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com