It's a knockout victory for victims of crime in Windsor-Essex.
About a dozen women have taken part in a first-of-its-kind class in Windsor aimed at helping victims of crime.
Started in Toronto in 2007, the program called "Shape Your Life" uses kickboxing to help women deal with the trauma they went through during the crime.
Legal Assistance of Windsor helped to bring the program to Windsor at Kersey Kickboxing in Forest Glade.
The goal is to help women gain control over their bodies and to remind them that they are more than just victims of crime.
Coordinator of Social Work Services at Legal Assistance of Windsor Shelley Gilbert says it helps to empower women.
"It is a different form of intervention, a different way for women to get in-touch with their bodies and recognize they have a lot of strength and a lot of competence," says Gilbert.
Kersey Kickboxing in Forest Glade (AM800 file photo)
According to the founder and trainer with "Shape Your Life," Cathy VanIngen, the program helps participants gain control. "While they experienced violence, you lose control of your body for that time and boxing is a really powerful way to get back in your body," says Vanlngen.
Corey Kerr is a survivor of sexual abuse and exploitation. The 33-year-old was invited to take part in the program. "I'm just keeping an open mind," says Kerr. "I did not come with any expectations this is out of my comfort zone and out of my realm."
Legal Assistance hopes to continue the program in the future.