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Author hosts free self-defense class
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| Maryanne Comaroto |
By Jessica Mullins
Marinscope Newspapers
Marin author Maryanne Comaroto was so horrified when she learned about last month’s gang rape at Richmond High School that she decided to do something about it.
So she organized a free self-defense workshop in Sausalito (details below).
She called on a friend with a black belt in karate to help her teach the workshop, focusing on recognizing dangerous situations and how to get out of them. “I can teach women, children and men emotional self-defense techniques,” she said, while her friend teaches physical self-defense maneuvers.
Comaroto said that while the rise in violence is a “pandemic,” self-defense isn’t taught as much as it should be. “It’s a fringe kind of thing to teach our kids today. We live in a happily-ever-after bubble mentality, or we’re in denial, thinking it’s never going to happen to us.”
Emotional self-defense, Comaroto said, is prominent in her philosophy of what she calls “TLC”: “Trust yourself, love yourself and control yourself. … One of the things we typically don’t do is trust our intuition. It’s the first indicator we maybe in danger. “
She said young people often have low self-esteem, which makes trusting one’s intuition even more difficult. “Loving yourself is paying attention to those signals. Be prepared to do whatever you need to navigate away from harm’s way.”
Comaroto detailed her recovery from abuse and violence in her 2003 memoir “Skinny, Tan and Rich: Unveiling the Myth” (Bridge the Gap Publishing). She has founded the National Action Organization, a nonprofit that works to change the way the culture values women. The organization is sponsoring the Nov. 29 workshop.
Richmond police say as many as 10 people attacked the 15-year-old Richmond High School student after a homecoming dance on Oct. 24 while others watched.
The girl was “brutally attacked and raped, beaten and robbed over a two-and-a-half hour ordeal,” said Richmond police Lt. Mark Gagan. Police think as many 20 people watched the assault. “We as law enforcement officers are accustomed to dealing with victims, but rarely have we seen somebody so vulnerable abused by so many people,” he said.
The Richmond gang-rape victim spent five days in the hospital after the attack, according to Gagan.
So far police have arrested several suspects in connection with the attack. Gagan said police are pleased with the leads they have developed and anticipate several more arrests soon. “We are confident we’re going to identify all the active participants in our victim’s rape,” he said.
Gagan said Richmond police have received hundreds of e-mails and phone calls from across the nation as well as other countries. Overwhelmed by outpourings of support for the victim, Richmond police have established a bank account to receive contributions for her.
People are eager to send money, teddy bears, gift or simply expressions of support. Gagan said police felt it was important to “harness the goodwill” and make sure the victim is aware how many people support her.
Contributions may be sent to Mechanics Bank, 3170 Hilltop Mall Road., Richmond 94806. Checks should be payable to Jane Doe of Richmond, and the account number is 041-30-1188.
Letters, teddy bears, etc., should be sent to the attention of Sgt. Lori Curran at the Richmond Police Department, 1701 Regatta Blvd., Richmond 94804.
The Emotional and Physical Self-Defense Class for Guys and Gals, a free workshop, will take place Nov. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m., at 10 Liberty Ship Way, #340, in Sausalito. Those interested may RSVP to info@maryannelive.com.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
So she organized a free self-defense workshop in Sausalito (details below).
She called on a friend with a black belt in karate to help her teach the workshop, focusing on recognizing dangerous situations and how to get out of them. “I can teach women, children and men emotional self-defense techniques,” she said, while her friend teaches physical self-defense maneuvers.
Comaroto said that while the rise in violence is a “pandemic,” self-defense isn’t taught as much as it should be. “It’s a fringe kind of thing to teach our kids today. We live in a happily-ever-after bubble mentality, or we’re in denial, thinking it’s never going to happen to us.”
Emotional self-defense, Comaroto said, is prominent in her philosophy of what she calls “TLC”: “Trust yourself, love yourself and control yourself. … One of the things we typically don’t do is trust our intuition. It’s the first indicator we maybe in danger. “
She said young people often have low self-esteem, which makes trusting one’s intuition even more difficult. “Loving yourself is paying attention to those signals. Be prepared to do whatever you need to navigate away from harm’s way.”
Comaroto detailed her recovery from abuse and violence in her 2003 memoir “Skinny, Tan and Rich: Unveiling the Myth” (Bridge the Gap Publishing). She has founded the National Action Organization, a nonprofit that works to change the way the culture values women. The organization is sponsoring the Nov. 29 workshop.
Richmond police say as many as 10 people attacked the 15-year-old Richmond High School student after a homecoming dance on Oct. 24 while others watched.
The girl was “brutally attacked and raped, beaten and robbed over a two-and-a-half hour ordeal,” said Richmond police Lt. Mark Gagan. Police think as many 20 people watched the assault. “We as law enforcement officers are accustomed to dealing with victims, but rarely have we seen somebody so vulnerable abused by so many people,” he said.
The Richmond gang-rape victim spent five days in the hospital after the attack, according to Gagan.
So far police have arrested several suspects in connection with the attack. Gagan said police are pleased with the leads they have developed and anticipate several more arrests soon. “We are confident we’re going to identify all the active participants in our victim’s rape,” he said.
Gagan said Richmond police have received hundreds of e-mails and phone calls from across the nation as well as other countries. Overwhelmed by outpourings of support for the victim, Richmond police have established a bank account to receive contributions for her.
People are eager to send money, teddy bears, gift or simply expressions of support. Gagan said police felt it was important to “harness the goodwill” and make sure the victim is aware how many people support her.
Contributions may be sent to Mechanics Bank, 3170 Hilltop Mall Road., Richmond 94806. Checks should be payable to Jane Doe of Richmond, and the account number is 041-30-1188.
Letters, teddy bears, etc., should be sent to the attention of Sgt. Lori Curran at the Richmond Police Department, 1701 Regatta Blvd., Richmond 94804.
The Emotional and Physical Self-Defense Class for Guys and Gals, a free workshop, will take place Nov. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m., at 10 Liberty Ship Way, #340, in Sausalito. Those interested may RSVP to info@maryannelive.com.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
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