The Hiawatha Community Center, 2700 California Ave. S.W., will host a Women's Defense Workshop on Saturday, April 25 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Here are some statistics from the Sexual Assault Violence Resource Center for the Seattle metropolitan area.

· There were 41 percent more rapes during the first six months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006;
· One in three women will experience a sexual assault in her lifetime;
· One in six women will be raped in her lifetime; and
· Every two and a half minutes, someone in the U.S. suffers a sexual assault.

The Sexual Assault Violence Resource Center strongly recommends that people, particularly women, prepare themselves for the possibility of a sexual assault and learn how to recognize and avoid dangerous situations.

In the four hour session, participants will learn avoidance and awareness tactics, an understanding of fear and adrenaline, setting verbal and physical boundaries, assertiveness and confrontational skills, close range tactics, and types of strikes.

The workshop is co-sponsored by Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Associated Recreation Council, One Foundation, and Women's Awareness and Assault Prevention and costs $40 per person.

For more information and to register, please call Hiawatha Community Center at 206-684-7441.