Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- Morgan Gonzales and Denise LeBlanc, from left, watch intently as Gonzales Police Officers Walter Taylor, left, and Derek LeBlanc demonstrate how to escape a one-handed chokehold during a women's self-defense course at the Gonzales Police Station on Aug. 15.

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- Gonzales Police Officer Derek LeBlanc, center, demonstrates how to escape a hold with Diana Edens' help while Tammy Vivereta, from left, her daughter Ashley, 16, and Edens' daughter Destiney Lott, 16, right, watch during a women's self-defense course at the Gonzales Police Station.

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- Denise LeBlanc, left, practices escaping from a hair pull by Morgan Gonzales, right, while Aline Coupel, center, watches during a women's self-defense course at the Gonzales Police Station.

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- Gonzales Police Officer Derek LeBlanc, bottom, shows students how to deliver an effective shin strike from a ground position during a women's self-defense class at the Gonzales Police Station.

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- Ami Clouatre Johnson, left, demonstrates how to deliver a strike while Gonzales Police Officer Derek LeBlanc acts as a mock attacker pulling her hair during a women's self-defense course at the Gonzales Police Station.

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- Kaci Hebert, right, practices escaping a two-handed choke hold from Tessa Martinez, left, while Ami Clouatre Johnson, center, watches and waits her turn during a women's self-defense class at the Gonzales Police Station on Aug. 15.

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- Gonzales Police Officer Walter Taylor, left, teaches students how to cope with fear and the importance of winning 'the emotional fight' before winning a physical one during a women's self-defense course at the Gonzales Police Station.

Bill Cassidy

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- Martin McConnell, left, listens as Louisiana Congressman Bill Cassidy , right, speaks during a town hall meeting at the Ascension Parish Chamber of Commerce in Gonzales.