At High Point Academy in December, a student was attacked during indoor recess.
The school sent out an apology, but her parents decided to press charges. Now, the victim, 12-year-old Grace Espinoza, is taking self-defense classes at Gracie’s Jiu Jitsu school in Aurora to feel more secure.
Learning Jiu-Jitsu has given Espinoza a newfound sense of confidence and awareness after just one month of training. She now knows how to defend herself and feels more prepared to face any challenge. However, the journey hasn’t been easy.
Since the incident, Espinoza has been unable to attend school for three months. Her physical training has helped her, but she still doesn’t feel safe. The emotional toll of the incident has taken a severe toll on her, and she admits to being in a deep depression.
The situation has also been hard on her mother, who is a survivor herself. She is constantly worried about her daughter’s safety and is doing everything in her power to support her.
Despite the challenges, Espinoza is determined to continue training and spreading her message. She urges others not to give up.
The co-owner of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Tanya Debelak, understands the importance of empowering young people with self-defense skills, cbsnews reports.
She believes that these skills not only help physically but also mentally. The age group from 13 and up is her passion, and she wants to help others overcome similar situations.
While the minor responsible for the attack is on probation, Espinoza’s family is left with the burden of medical bills and therapy sessions.
In conclusion, self-defense classes empower victims of bullying and assault. Grace Espinoza is a testament to this, as she has found a sense of security and confidence through learning Jiu-Jitsu. With the right training and support, victims can overcome the trauma of an attack and regain control of their lives.
