Steve Armstrong
Newspaper article:
"Self-defense now basic need for women"
9/22/1974

Most rapes are planned better than bank robberies, said Steve Armstrong, a karate instructor who will teach self-defense classes at South Park Community Center.

The only way females will survive well-planned assualts is to respond with the intent of hurting the attackers by punching and kicking.

These techniques of self-defense will be taught in two classes beginning 10 a.m. Monday and 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Both the morning and evening classes will last eight weeks.

THE STUDENTS will learn some karate, judo and aikido (using the natural bend of a joint against a person's leverages).

A woman should play along with the attacker's advances until she is able to hit him in the groin. While the man is doubled over, she should push the nose, gouge the eyes or attack the throat.

The attacker should be so incapacipated that he can't follow the woman as she runs away.

"Our culture has taught women to be nice. So when their lives are at stake, they can't respond with force. There is only one thing an assualter understands and that's fantastic pain." Armstrong said.

"That's why I say nice girls finish last in rape cases," he said.

ARMSTRONG has achieved eighth degree black belt in Okinawan karate. He recently was international referee for the U.S. karate team that was competing in Europe this summer.

He will be a bodyguard for Elvis Presley at the end of this month. Presley is making a 10-day concert tour in the United States.

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