Between 20 and 25 percent of college women nationwide have been victims of rape or attempted rape during their college careers, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

Eta Sigma Gamma, Kent State’s health education honorary society, is holding its second annual self-defense training class from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 12 in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Seminar Room A.

The training is in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and will teach participants some basic self-defense techniques.

“Our training is meant to be an introduction to self-defense,” said Jessica Shreve, president of Eta Sigma Gamma.

Shihan Pamela Hickey, owner of Hickey Karate Center in Stow will be conducting the training.

One in four girls and one in six boys report being sexually assaulted by age 18, according to the NSVRC.

And 80 percent of rapes are committed by significant others, friends or acquaintances.

Both men and women are encouraged to participate in the self-defense training. Students, faculty and members of the Kent community are welcome. A Kent State ID is not needed to attend, and there is no cost to participate.

Eta Sigma Gamma, the Women’s Resource Center, and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages are sponsoring this event.

To sign up, send your name and contact information to Jessica Shreve at [email protected]. The deadline to register is Friday.

Contact on-campus medicine reporter Sarah Cockrell at [email protected].