Two months had passed since Neon left Jamaica, and she had been so busy settling into her new life that she hadn't had a chance to call her mom. But on this particular Saturday, as she was unpacking groceries, her phone rang. It was her mom.
"Neon, where are you?" her mom asked, her voice laced with concern. Neon hesitated for a moment, wondering how her mom would react to the news. "Mom, I'm in Canada," she said finally, trying to sound casual.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then her mom exclaimed, "Canada? Neon, what are you doing in Canada?" Neon laughed and spent the next few hours catching up with her mom, filling her in on all the details of her new life.
After finally saying goodbye to her mom, Neon headed out to do some grocery shopping. As she wandered the aisles of the supermarket, she noticed a man watching her. He approached her, smiling, and asked, "Do you need some help?" Neon smiled politely and shook her head. "No, thank you. I'm good."
Neon walked to the bus stop, intending to catch a taxi home. As she waited, she noticed the same man from the supermarket approaching her. At first, she thought he might just be waiting for a taxi as well, but as he drew closer, she felt a sense of unease.
Before she could react, the man grabbed her hands, his grip tight. Neon's heart racing, she felt a surge of fear. She tried to pull her hands free, but the man held tight.
With a burst of adrenaline, Neon swung her purse at the man, hitting him squarely on the shoulder. "Leave me alone!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the quiet evening air. The man released her hands, startled, and stumbled backward.
Neon took advantage of the distraction to step back and create some distance between them. Her heart still racing, she glared at the man, her eyes blazing with anger and fear. "Don't ever touch me again," she warned, her voice firm.
The man, looking sheepish, muttered an apology and quickly retreated into the night, leaving Neon shaken but relieved. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart, and then hailed a taxi to take her home.
Neon's decision to take self-defense classes was a great way to prioritize her safety and well-being, especially since she was alone in a new country with her child. After searching for a self-defense school, she discovered Women Defend Women Co-op and decided to visit them to inquire about their prices.
As it turns out, Women Defend Women Co-op isn't the only option available. There are other self-defense programs like Feminist Self-Defense ¹ and Smart Girl Self Defense ² that offer various classes and workshops.
Some of the classes available include:
- Smart Girl Self Defense class, a one-time payment of $96.00, which covers techniques, information, and fun activities ²
- Women's Only Personal/Handgun Self-Defense & Emergency First Aid! a three-day weekend course, priced at $323.62 per person ²
- Feminist Self-Defense workshops, which focus on empowerment, boundary-setting, and self-defense techniques ¹
These programs aim to empower women with the skills and confidence to protect themselves. Neon can explore these options to find the one that best suits her needs and budget.
so she and her kid began to attend classes twice a week.