The New York Police Department has just come out with some statistics showing that crime rates have fallen in the city. Felonies have dropped 16.6 percent and rapes have decreased 50 percent, but the numbers don’t show whether self-defense contributed to the declines. However, in the heart of Harlem some women are being pro-active when it comes to their safety. They are learning karate skills so they will know how to defend themselves when in danger.

"I’m what you can call a survivor," says Marilyn Spinner, 46, as she finishes her class at Harlem Karate, located at 2234 3rd Avenue. Spinner, who’s been taking karate classes for two and a half years, was a victim of domestic violence in the past. Her eyes gaze around the room as she says quietly, "I don’t like to be pushed around and I’ll never allow that to happen again."

Today she is a woman who’s no longer afraid to be harassed or abused because she’s stronger now. Not that she has already used any of her skills outside the class. "I don’t have to. It’s more like when you learn it you don’t have to use it because you know what you can do," she says.

Along with Spinner, her daughter Nikeya Knox, 12, is also at the karate class. In fact, Spinner had her children learn it first, then decided to join Harlem Karate herself. Now they come to class together. Spinner says it is important that her kids know how to defend themselves. As for her, she regrets that she didn’t start her classes earlier. She also regrets that her example is not followed by some women she knows. "Not enough women come. I wish more did," she says.

Spinner takes classes three to four times a week. She is happy that classes are co-ed, this way she gets to fight men and women. She likes her professor, Ernest Hyman, who’s constantly reminding students that all they learn at the class will help them on the streets. "The professor hits hard but I can take his punches now and I give him some too," she says, laughing.

Spinner’s daughter sits beside her in class but they never fight each other. "I don’t want to fight her," Nikeya whispers. "I fight mainly the guys here," Spinner says. She looks around and points out one of the men in class. "That guy punches really hard," she says.

"I feel much safer now," says Spinner. "If I see a bunch of guys now I have no problem. Before I used to cross to the other side of the street and was afraid if they’d say something. Now they can say anything they want, I’ll just look at them and they won’t bother me," she says.

Spinner shows a block move she learned in karate.

Firearms were never an option for Spinner as a way of self-defense. "With a gun you can kill somebody and I don’t want to go to jail," she says. With her karate skills she feels safe enough. "I don’t like weapons. This is my weapon," she says, pointing to her own body.

Spinner is planning to see the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." In the movie, the female leads have the better fights in the story. "I like to see girls fighting. I like to see us taking care of ourselves," she says.

More