By Debbie Adams
The William Byrd Middle School Terrier Safety Squad partnered with the Roanoke County
Sheriff’s Dept., the Roanoke County Police Dept., and the Help Save the Next Girl organization
for a self-defense class on January 28 – focused on females. They invited eighth grade girls and
the female staffs at WBMS and Cave Spring Middle School for an after-school class to help
spread safety information.
The class was facilitated by Deputy Joe Mullins, the School Resource Officer (SRO) at William
Byrd and sponsor of the Terrier Safety Squad, along with WBMS School Counselor Leslie
Jordan and Principal Evan Noell, and SRO Justin Hubbard from Cave Spring Middle.
defense class (photos by Debbie Adams)
Gil Harrington, founder of the national non-profit Help Save the Next Girl, was the guest
speaker, explaining that the catalyst for the organization’s formation was the death of her
daughter, Morgan, in October 2009, from “predatory violence.” At age 20, Morgan, a Virginia
Tech student, was abducted and murdered from a concert in Charlottesville.
Their purpose is to “sensitize young women and girls to predatory danger and prevent future
crimes against young women.” They work with law enforcement and media to keep young
women alert to dangers, disseminate information about missing persons, and provide support to
victims’ families. Her message is that “predatory violence is everywhere.”
The January 28 class focused on how to AVOID predators, remembering and employing the key
concepts of Awareness, Verbalization, Overcome, Identify, and Distance.
The first strategy taught was being aware of, and avoiding, potentially dangerous situations:
- Don’t put yourself in threatening situations to begin with.” Think about the consequences of
just setting down a drink and walking away when someone with bad intentions could add drugs
to the drink. Pay attention; don’t be consumed by your cell phone when you are walking but keep
a watchful eye out for people you aren’t familiar with. - If someone approaches you with the intention of doing bodily harm, their perception of you
affects their actions. You need to have confidence in yourself “or at least fake it.” - Be brave, stand your ground; don’t take on a “victim mentality” by cowering; use your physical
demeanor to your advantage, don’t show fear; use your voice – be loud to attract attention and
deter assailants. - Learn basic defensive tactics; what the strongest parts of your body are (your legs) for leveraging
yourself against an attack; and specific steps you can take if attacked.
Instructors talked but then allowed members of the class to practice skills with both one another
and hefty male instructors, carrying punching bags, and wearing defense training suits with full
body padding.
Deputy Mullins said that the self-defense class was held at the high school before winter break.
The team then decided to focus on eighth graders at the middle school level. He hopes that the
program will expand to all county middle and high schools in time. They hope to continue to
team up with Help Save the Next Girl organization in their classes and clubs.
Several years ago, Officer Hubbard initiated the student-led prevention club, “Squire’s AIDE” at
Cave Spring Middle. Last year, the club won the YOVASO Middle School Club of the Year
Award. The Terrier Safety Squad was recognized with the YOVASO New Middle School Club
of the Year Award at the same time.
This award honors excellence in student leadership, effective club development, and community
outreach. It also acknowledges the club’s engagement with the student body and reflects the
importance of collaborative efforts between students, school officials, and law enforcement in
fostering safer school environments.
Self-defense classes can be arranged for organizations through the Roanoke County Sheriff’s
Dept.
