TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT-TV) - A local martial arts expert is teaching women self defense and fighting hunger all at the same time.

Did you know? In the U.S., 4 women are killed by abusive partners each day, every 46 seconds a woman is raped and 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

That's according to the Association for Women's Self Defense Advancement.

Twin Fall's martial arts expert Brian Higgins is teaching women how to avoid becoming a statistic.

"We deal with the emotional component and a lot of prevention in addition to a few physical skills," said Brian Higgins, Success Martial Arts.

Higgins uses years of experience to prepare women for a potentially dangerous situation.

"So often when we talk about self defense especially for ladies, people think that they're going to learn moves, but what we found is too many moves don't really do you a whole lot of good when you're scared because you forget,” said Higgins.

One of the keys to self defense is you don't have to be strong to make someone let go. Use the palm of your hand and your fingers in the eyes.

For real estate agent Jennifer McBride, the class was a logical choice.

If I'm going to take the classes to know what to do with a contract I probably better take the classes to know what to do with myself," said McBride.

The class focuses on two different aspects of self defense.

"First of all prevention. I'm a big advocate of if anybody had to touch anybody we've messed up. The secondary part is learning to be upset and keep you wits about you anyway," said Higgins.

"It was just a fun day. Saw a lot of girls from the beginning be meek, meek, meek and now they kind of stand their ground," said McBride.

An hour class, a small price to pay for skills that someday might save your life.

Each woman brought canned goods as payment for the class.

Higgins plans on donating the food to the Salvation Army later this month.

If you're interested in taking a self defense class, Higgins also offers day long courses.