Published: January 23, 2009 10:39 pm      

PEOPLE PROFILE: Defense instructor recognized for training

Self defense is about more than kicking and punching to Nina Witkowski, instructor at YI-DAN CHA GI Martial Arts Center in North Tonawanda.

It’s the statistics on child abuse and assaults against women that has driven the 45-year-old mom right to the doorstep of earning her blackbelt after eight years — statistics like one in six women will be assaulted during their lifetimes.

Her belief is that information is as powerful as athleticism when repelling a predator. That’s what is driving her latest venture alongside a national organization with similar ideals.

“When I have women come in and look at those statistics they kind of understand a little more,” she said. “We all need to know some type of self defense.”

Witkowski first got involved through her son, who turned to self defense classes in light of some bullying incidents in the fourth grade.

“He was involved for a while and I started to take self defense — I noticed that it gave me a lot more confidence,” she said.

Most recently, she earned herself and the center accreditation by a group called the National Security Alliance, a non-profit organization started in 1988 to develop education platforms for thousands of law enforcement personnel nationwide.

Witkowski completed all the training with regard to kid safety, earning the center the title “Kid-Safe Center,” earlier this year, and much of the women’s self defense awareness and training to be used in the center’s six-week course beginning Jan. 27.

Helping protect women and children from an abusive society is the overarching goal, and the alliance is preparing to launch a $1 million program seven years in the making called the Rapid Search Network. The group’s President, Ed Copley, said when launched in a month it will allow 9-1-1 dispatchers and police to quickly access a database of information about missing kids. The information is supplied by their parents before an incident occurs, through cooperation with programs like Witkowski’s, that will save critical hours when a kid goes missing.

Items like photos, DNA, fingerprints and lists of people the child regularly has contact with can be tough for the cops to get hold of during the first three hours during which Copley said most kids who will be killed are.

“Amber alert was a great tool, but it’s only as good as the information you can put up there,” Copley said. He also pointed out there are criteria for Amber Alert assistance. For example, an alert is usually issued quicker if someone has actually witnessed an abduction.

Since earning her accreditation, Witkowski has met with Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour to discuss the Rapid Search Network, and hopes to encourage participants in her classes to contribute information on their loved ones in the event of an emergency.

“He has something very similar that I hope to get more involved with,” she said of her meeting with Votour.

In any case, Copley said his group has been promoting the program in several countries, allowing parents to upload the info and create a code they can give to police in a crisis.

“No matter where you are, you can call 9-1-1 and give that operator a code, and they’ll have five pictures of that child,” Copley said.

Photos include snapshots taken from more recognizable side-angles and do not feature children who are smiling, which Copley noted children typically don’t do after being abducted.

Witkowski invites youth groups to call and set up educational events, including defense instruction designed specifically for their small size.

“She’s going to be one of the first to help launch the rapid search notebook there. She’s very passionate, she can’t get enough to help others and that’s what we look for,” Copley said.

The center was named a Kid Safe Center in the Spring, attracting the attention of state Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, who stopped by Dec. 23 for a photo opportunity and to lend his endorsement. Maziarz hosts safety fairs throughout the year such as the infant safety seat check alongside police, to which Witkowski hopes to contribute in the future.

On the valuable role information can play along with the proper training, Copley said:

“When 9/11 happened it wasn’t because our security defenses were inadequate it was because they weren’t aware of how a particular type of crime was committed ... the fourth plane was awareness, they were able to fight back. And sure they died, but they managed to save others.”

Contact reporter Neale Gulley at 693-1000, ext. 114.