The Association of Women Doctors (Singapore) is privileged to have Mr Aaron le Boutillier’s expert services in conducting its women’s self defence workshops over 2008-2010. It is our pleasure to attest to the capability & professionalism of le Boutillier, his involvement in philanthropy and heart for charity.

AWDS’s inaugural self defence workshop on 18 April 2009 went to benefit Sanctuary House, (www.sanctuaryhouse.com.sg ) a shelter for abandoned babies. Funds raised for this volunteer welfare organization, institution of public character and registered charity helped in providing crisis pregnancy services and emergency infant foster care.

AWDS members and friends who attended le Boutillier’s women’s self defence workshops found it unique, unlike any other course on the market. Ladies gave resounding reviews on how fun and highly interactive it was, delivered with authority from a man with a wealth of hands-on experience. Not only was it highly practical, but applicable to all women. Forget akido…forget the karate chops…what are you REALLY going to do when you’re grabbed by an assailant by the hand, or neck, or from behind, or by your hair ? What if you’re stuck in a hotel or HDB lift? Or pinned down by a sexual attacker? Break free and run away as fast as you can, really !

Ladies that attended were treated to a 2.5 hour fun-filled course on break-away tactics. They learnt to “own the space they walk in” to discourage would-be attackers, be more self-aware of their surroundings, and were taught moves to break free from an attacker’s grip. They learnt “ The Shield” …. “The Wedge”… even their own thumb could be used to defend themselves, and their elbows used as lean mean weapons. Not only do the pictures (www.awds.org.sg/gallery-self-def- 26-09-09.htm) testify to the amount of laughter and fun the ladies had, but they were empowered that afternoon with some essential skills to fight back, whilst doing their bit for charity.

Back by popular demand, On 26 Sept 2009, another AWDS Self Defence Workshop for Women was conducted by le Boutillier in aid of the Molly Lee Appeal that benefited needy women with cancer and other chronic conditions. The Appeal was set up in memory of Molly Lee following her demise from ovarian cancer. She clinched the Vanilla Magazine/ Channel News Asia inaugural Singapore Women of the Year Award in 2008 for becoming a source of comfort to women even while battling cancer herself through a website she set up in 2007 for women to share knowledge and their experiences. She died two months after receiving the award. Donations to The Molly Lee Appeal are administered by the KK Hospital Health Endowment Fund (KKHHEF) which raises funds for needy patients as well as education, research and disease prevention programmes targeted at women’s and children’s health.

In collaboration with pharmaceutical giant, Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD), AWDS engaged le Boutillier again, to help the needy women of Star Shelter on January 30, 2010. The Star Shelter (www.scwo.org.sg) provides a safe temporary refuge for women and children victims of domestic family violence & abuse regardless of race, language, creed or religion. It is a charity registered with the Registrar of Charities and is the only secular crisis centre in Singapore. Women at the shelter are mostly from the lower income group – unable to find shelter when they leave their abusive relationship. They are referred to the Star Shelter by the Family Court, The Family Service Centres, the Police, Hospitals or other Agencies who run crisis helplines, e.g. the Samaritans of Singapore, AWARE and PAVE. The Star Shelter helps its residences manage & take responsibility of their lives, and assist women to rebuild their lives after violence.

By conducting this self defence workshop, AWDS empowered these women with simple yet powerful self-defence techniques to help them extricate themselves from dangerous situations and abusive spouses. Mr Aaron le Boutillier’s best selling course & techniques achieve these aims in a fun interactive manner. MSD educated them on defence against sexually transmittable diseases like the human papilloma virus (HPV), of which certain strains can lead to cervical, vulvar & vaginal cancers. le Boutillier’s partnership with AWDS in this initiative not only empower these women physically and emotionally with self–defence techniques, but provide a holistic approach by addressing a relevant health issue of cancer awareness & prevention.

It is my pleasure to recommend le Boutillier’s self defence courses to women worldwide.



Dr Wendy Teoh
President AWDS
Association of Women Doctors Singapore
www.awds.org.sg
19 Dec 2009