IQALUIT - About a dozen Iqalummuit attended a presentation by RCMP at the Anglican Parish Hall on Oct. 10 on personal safety and self defence.

Iqaluit RCMP Const. David Chretien runs through a presentation on home security and personal safety on Oct. 10 at the Anglican Parish Hall. - Gabriel Zarate/NNSL photo

Shyla Elliott, executive director of Qulliit Status of Women Council, said the RCMP presentation came out of the community's reaction to several sexual assaults which had taken place in Iqaluit in the fall of 2008.

"Sexual violence is a big problem here, but most of it is domestic," Elliott said. "But when it comes from a stranger, there's a different reaction to it."

Const. David Chretien, who graduated from RCMP training in Regina two months ago, talked about how to avoid getting into a dangerous situation and also how to drive off an attacker.

"You want to use the hard part against the soft part," said Chretien.

Chretien described the "hard" parts of the body useful for fighting back: elbows, knees, fists, head and hands. The "soft" parts are the best targets on an assailant: eyes, ears, nose, groin, throat, face, feet and knees.

When discussion turned to how much force is legally permissible in self defence, Const. Jetta Williams, an 18-year RCMP veteran, said, "The main thing is, you don't keep kicking the crap out of him after he's let go."

But avoiding a physical confrontation is always preferable.

"A thief normally wants money," said Chretien. "Give it to them. Your life is worth more than money."

Chretien and Williams said reporting crimes to police is important, and providing as much information as possible. They also encouraged complainants to follow through with pressing charges even when it would be inconvenient or emotionally difficult to testify in court. Otherwise, it's harder for the justice system to put criminals behind bars and that means they are free to commit more crimes on other people, Chretien said.