ORANGE PARK — Every year, nearly 5.3 million incidents of domestic violence occur among U.S. women aged 18 and older.

It can happen to anyone.

That’s why one martial arts/Jiu Jitsu studio is teaching local women how to fight back before it does.

“There’s always something in the news about something that should not have happened [and] easily could’ve been deterred. You don’t know. And threats find you,” said Randall Snow, an instructor at Invictus Grappling Club in Orange Park. 

Snow is one of the many instructors at the studio on Loch Rane Boulevard. The studio recently began their new women’s self-defense classes. 

Snow said the free all-female classes instruct students on how to be physically prepared in the case of any threat. He said it’s especially important in the world we live in today.

”We have a community of a lot of women. We have a lot of professional women like in the school systems here, the medical systems here,” he said. “And there’s definitely a need for at least awareness.”

In the span of one hour, students will be taken through a progression of threats they may experience standing up, being taken down and while on the ground. 

Snow said each class will learn step-by-step what it means to control your body based on your skeletal system. One of the main precursors to self-defense. 

“If you know how the body works or how it won’t work, you can start to protect yourself based off of those principles,” he said. “So, that’s where we start.” 

Snow said it’s important to be aware of someone closing in on you. Knowing how to face them, while remaining strong, mentally aware and intact is key. That’s what Snow said is called mechanical advantage.

“Once you have all these things understood intuitively, then you can begin to give meaningful resistance,” he said.

Snow said that women may bring a significant other or fellow female companion to the class if doing so makes them comfortable. 

As a way to reach out to the community, Snow said the classes have blossomed into shedding light on a growing issue.

According to Funds for NGOs, statistics reveal that various forms of violence  — including domestic abuse, sexual assault and harassment  — disproportionately affect women.

Snow said having opportunities like this in the community provides for an effective deterrent. 

“It’s a threat deterrent,” he said. “If you know this is offered and you know people are participating, then the predator doesn’t necessarily look at the victim as a victim. Now, there’s a question mark.” 

Snow said it’s all about turning victims into survivors. From there, he said, the legacy will continue. 

“Once women have a certain state of mind about their own safety, they teach their daughters and that becomes a legacy of safety,” he said.

Snow added that he encourages past victims to also join in on the classes. 

“This is a safe environment. And we try to do it without male influence, so that you can let your guard down a little bit and then start from ground zero and build yourself up,” he said. 

Classes are from 10 to 11 a.m. every Saturday. To sign up, visit invictusgrapplingclub.com.