FERRIDAY — Two sheriff’s office lieutenants say they wouldn’t mess with women who attend Thursday’s self-defense class.

Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Lieutenants Greg Jackson and Chris Groh will host a women’s self-defense class at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Concordia Parish Community Center, which is located on Louisiana 15.

Jackson said the goal of the class is to teach women basic safety tips on how to respond to a potential attacker.

“We’re not necessarily teaching them how to fight, but instead how to attack and escape if they were in a situation where they’re being attacked,” Jackson said. “These are good, self-defense, awareness and safety tips that can help save someone’s life.”

Jackson said he and Groh handle all defensive tactic training for the sheriff’s office and thought this would be a good way to bring their knowledge to the public.

“We want to help teach and educate the people in the community, so they are able to respond during these kinds of emergency situations,” Jackson said. “Hopefully, it’ll give them that confidence boost to be able to fight back and respond if they’re ever attacked.”

The self-defense class, Jackson said, will consist of a variety of scenarios participants might encounter in the real world, as well as a question and answer session.

The class is free, and the public is welcome to attend. Registration forms are available at the sheriff’s office, which is located in the Concordia Parish Courthouse on Carter Street.

Jackson said he recommends all participants wear comfortable clothes to allow them to move around easily during the exercises.