Self Defense in Canada

Taekwondo Expert Gets 7 years for Sex Assaults

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, March 7, 2010 - a few posts ago I blogged about a self defense instructor in the USA being a pedophile.  Here is a Canadian example of a Taekwondo Expert who gets 7 years for Sex Assaults.  My name is Chris Roberts and I operate Safe International, Canada's leader in self defense instruction.  We have taught more than 100 000 clients throughout Ontario, Canada with the majority in the city of Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario. 

An Edmonton taekwondo instructor has been sentenced to seven years in prison for a series of sexual assaults on children.

Thomas Innerebner, 52, was found guilty in December of six counts of touching children under 14 for a sexual

 purpose and seven counts of sexual assault.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Donna Read issued the sentence in an Edmonton courtroom Saturday.

Innerebner sat beside his lawyer with his fists clenched in his lap, shaking his head as Read described the testimony of the victims.

Outside the courthouse, one victim's father said he was unhappy with the sentence.

"The judge pointed out dozens of cases and everybody talked about sending out a deterrent, and as the judge spoke about all these cases, all the same sentencing — obviously the justice system isn't getting it," he said.

"These aren't a deterrent to these people and these people can't be fixed."

Described as monster

He said the trial has had a huge impact on his family.

"It's been just about three years of putting up with knowing this monster's out there able to do it to other people's children. … It certainly has an effect," he said.

"I don't know what type of long-term effect it'll have on my daughter, but hopefully we can minimize that."

Innerebner was acquitted on four charges relating to three of nine female complainants.

During the trial, the jury heard the assaults took place between 1998 and 2007. The victims were between seven and 15 years old, and most of the assaults took place during or after Innerebner's taekwondo classes.

Innerebner maintained his innocence throughout the trial, denying he ever assaulted or touched any of his students inappropriately.

"I do not have a violent or dangerous bone in my body and I have a very big heart," he said in court Saturday.

His lawyer, Brian Beresh, said the outcome is disappointing.

"To see a man who has devoted his life to training young people, spending thousands of hours with all kinds of people, thousands of kids, and these complaints are made in a public setting where they are not witnessed by one other person, it's just hard to believe," he said.

"I said at the end of the trial that the decision of the jury is perverse, [and] I maintain that view. It's still a wonder as to how that occurred, but my client will be appealing both conviction and sentence and I expect that will be filed fairly quickly."

For more information on Safe International courses for women and men privately, corporately or in high schools please contact me at chris@safeinternational.biz

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/03/06/edmonton-taekwondo-teacher-verdict.html#ixzz0hUiw2Uft

Ottawa High School Simulated Attacks

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, March 6, 2010 -  Here is some video from an Ottawa high school in Ontario, Canada.  Safe International offers self defense to high school students throughout Ontario.  Safe has taught more than 100 000 women and men since 1994!  This video is a collage of several students utilizing some of the strikes that they were taught. Thanks to Ashley and the gang in this video.

via www.selfdefensecanada.info

Many people ask if the shots we received would really hurt us. Yes, many do and remember without the equipment on areas like the eyes, groin, throat are very vulnerable and do not need to be struck that hard to be effective.

Ottawa High School Simulated Attacks

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, March 6, 2010 -  Here is some video from an Ottawa high school in Ontario, Canada.  Safe International offers self defense to high school students throughout Ontario.  Safe has taught more than 100 000 women and men since 1994!  This video is a collage of several students utilizing some of the strikes that they were taught. Thanks to Ashley and the gang in this video.

There are a number of things to notice in this video.  The majority of the attacks begin the same, as we want the students to experience being surprised from behind as if going to be dragged to a secondary location.  Before this final class, students are taught avoidance/awareness/intuition skills and obviously would run before allowing such an attack, but we want the students to experience the physical nature of an attack. In some cases scenarios are set up before commencing the attack.

The strikes utilized by the students are all gross motor movements.  Even though they are aware they are going to being attacked, once we start, the students are only able to perform these basic, simple strikes.  No one can utilize complex motor skills in a high stress situation.  We tell the students that they may remember 10 to 20% of what we teach when they are in the situation.  This is being honest and we would rather the students left with cautious confidence rather than a false sense of confidence.  So many self defense courses just end up building a false sense of security which can actually make the young women more vulnerable and likely to take unnecessary risks.  Many of these hits without the equipment on may give the person a quick second to escape.  It is also important to remember that the attacker is not throwing strikes until the students advance to our level 2 program. 

While the attack is not real, we do make it challenging for the students to get a sense of how physically demanding a real attack may be.  The students before coming up are nervous and they still experience an adrenaline dump which would occur during a real attack situation.  The goal is for the students to get away as quickly as possible, not to stay and keep striking.  We also emphasize getting onto one's feet as soon as possible.

In our wrap up we discuss how staying in excellent physical shape might save their life.  Most students do not remember anything they performed which is also proof that they reacted with gross motor skills.  This is only one day of the course and is the last resort.  Avoiding trouble is always the priority.  We teach the 3 R's of Recognize, React and Respond.

Chris Roberts can be reached at chris@safeinternational.biz for more information on high school, private or corporate courses.  You can also check out the website at www.safeinternational.biz

Police continue to look for suspicious male

Kemptville, Ontario, Canada, March 3, 2010 - Here is another story of someone trying to lure children into his car.  Police continue to look for suspicious male in Kemptville, Ontario.  Kemptville is a typical rural community in Eastern Ontario.  I have lived there and taught our self defense at a couple of the high schools in Kemptville.  While it is important to take all the necessary precautions, the community needs to work together to catch this nut. 

EMC News – The North Grenville detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating after a suspicious male in a van attempted to lure a child on two separate occasions.
On Jan. 17 in the evening, a 15-year-old boy was walking on Reuben Crescent. In Kemptville, when he was asked twice by a male if he “needed a lift?” The boy twice refused and the male sped off. The male spoke English, had white hair, was heavy set, clean-shaven and drove a silver mini-van. The van was described as being rounded. On Feb. 11, a composite sketch was completed.
On Jan. 28 at approximately 4:45 p.m., a 12-year-old boy was walking home from Kemptville Public School. On Prescott Street by VanBuren Street, he was approached by a man driving a white minivan. The man told the boy his mother sent him to pick him up. The boy refused. The van then pulled back onto Prescott St and proceeded southbound. The male driver was in fifties to sixties, spoke English and had white hair with receding hairline. He was wearing sunglasses and a black winter coat, with a bit of stubble. The vehicle was described as a white minivan. A composite sketch was completed of the male.
Detective Constable Jeff Nussey of the Grenville County Crime Unit is leading the investigation. Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact the North Grenville OPP at 613-258-3441 or through the Smith Falls communication center at 1-888-310-1122.
Submitted by the Grenville County Crime Unit of the OPP.

These kids did an excellent job of avoiding being caught.  I always teach people that if a car stops and you feel suspicious, be sure to run the opposite direction as it is hard for a car to turn around quickly.  At that point, run to where there may be people to assist you.  Another tip I offer is to make it look like you are writing down the license plate number.  As you may have seen from my previous blogs an attacker does not want to get caught so this can be an effective way to scare them off.  Try to remember as much as you can about details of car or the person if you get to view them but do not get close to the car in order to do this. 

Chris Roberts operates Safe International, Canada's Leader in self defense instruction.  We have taught more then 100 000 clients since 1994!  For more information on their courses or to receive Chris's dvd on Danger Detection Strategies contact him at chris@safeinternational.biz

 

 

Toronto sex assault suspects surrender to police

March 1, 2010, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Here are two more recent stories on sex assault and murder.  The reason for posting this is to keep everyone aware that while Toronto, Ontario and the whole province are considered to be relatively safe, there is crime in towns and cities of all sizes.  In this blog, I look at a Toronto sexual assault and a slaying in Trenton, Ontario.  Safe International is Canada's leader in self defense instruction.

Five men accused of sexually assaulting two women in a downtown Toronto hotel on New Year's Eve turned themselves in to police on Thursday and have been charged with gang sexual assault.

Two women claim they were assaulted by the five men after meeting them at a New Year's eve function.

The men accompanied the women to their hotel near Yonge Street and Bloor Street at around 3 a.m., police said.

The men allegedly assaulted the women in their hotel room before leaving, police said.

The suspects' surrender came less than a day after police released pictures of the men taken by a photographer at the function they attended last Thursday.

The photographs were later posted online, and police were able to identify the suspects.

Rozbah Bahri, 27, of Toronto, Parvez Bahri, 25, of Toronto, Said Serwary, 23, of Toronto, Ahmad Ghafari, 23, of Hamilton and Omed Sarwary, 23, of Toronto have each been charged with two counts of gang sexual assault.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/01/07/sexual-assault.html#ixzz0gw9pqZvN

2 charged in Trenton, Ont., slaying

Last Updated: Sunday, February 28, 2010 | 6:42 PM ET Comments30Recommend48

CBC News

Two men have been charged with first-degree murder following a manhunt for the pair in the death of woman in eastern Ontario, police said Sunday.

Ontario Provincial Police began a search for Jason Tyler Frost, 30, and Michael Wallace Garniss, 49, after Lisa Marie Palmiere, 48, also known as Lisa Todd, was shot to death Saturday evening in Trenton, Ont.

Frost was arrested at the Quinte West provincial police detachment in Trenton and Garniss was arrested at a truck stop in Bowmanville, police said.

No further details on the case were provided. But police said both men, who were considered armed and dangerous, knew Palmiere.

Both men will appear in court in Belleville, Ont., on Monday.

With files from The Canadian Press

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/02/28/ottawa-trenton-police-murder.html#ixzz0gwAW4eUy

You can contact Safe International by contacting Chris Roberts at 613-363-3286 or by email at chris@safeinternational.biz.  Safe has instructed more than 100 000 women, men and teenagers since 1994 and we specialize in Reality Based self defense instruction. 

Child Molester Runs Karate School

February 25, 2010, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - this story is another example of how someone in an authority position should not have ever been able to have this position.  The child molester in this story runs a karate school in Glendale, Queens.  I would like to thank Rich Roccanova for making me aware of this story. 

BY JOHN DEUTZMAN/FOX 5 NEWS

MYFOXNY.COM - There have been plenty of tough laws passed to protect kids from child molesters. But Fox 5 discovered a convicted child molester named Edwin Rodriguez, running a karate school in Glendale, Queens and having close contact with young children every day.

Fox 5 received an anonymous tip that a registered sex offender was the owner of a place called Gem Shotokan Karate on Myrtle Avenue. Using a hidden camera Fox 5 immediately established that Rodriguez not only was teaching young children but that he seemed extremely friendly and likeable to both kids and adults.

A sign on the Karate school wall ironically says, “Seek Perfection of Character.” But Edwin Rodriguez is far from perfect. Nine years go Rodriguez was convicted of sexually abusing an 11 year old girl. The details of the criminal complaint against Rodriguez are startling, graphic and uncomfortable to read. It says, “…(i) defendant did attempt to kiss informant(the girl) on the lips and attempted to stick his

tongue into informant's mouth while informant pushed defendant away; (ii) that defendant began touching informant's breasts and vaginal area over her clothing while informant pushed defendant away; and (iii) defendant then placed his hand under informant's clothing and forcibly inserted his finger into informant's vagina while informant pushed defendant away."

Records show Rodriguez spent six months in jail and was sentenced to five years probation. His probation ended three and a half years ago. He is labeled at level 2 sex offender, considered a “medium” risk to repeat. He has to register where he lives, not where he works.

When a Fox 5 went to the school posing as someone interested in the place here’s part of the conversation:

Fox 5: “My buddy has a daughter who’s 11 is that good?

Rodriguez: “Sure definitely she would be with the next division...she would be with the youth division.”

Fox 5: “So what are the age brackets that you would teach?

Rodriguez: well from three up…”

While we were there he taught a class filled with children. There was another instructor with him and we have to stress that there is no evidence that we know of that Rodriguez has done anything to the children in his Karate school. Several parents were also in the school at the time, watching the class take place.

Should You Fight To Keep Your Purse or Wallet?

Toronto, Ontario, Canada -Very often, I have clients ask me if they should fight to keep their purse or wallet if an attacker demands it. This to me is quite simple to answer, but we will look at some of the aspect of this demand from both sides. 

If someone just walks up and says "Give me your wallet", I might hesitate to immediately hand it over.  You might want to evaluate what is going on before fighting to keep your purse or wallet.  I teach so many people in Toronto which is by other cities standards, a very safe city, but regardless, you need to look at the scenario to decide the best route of action.

What if you are in a crowd and someone approaches you demanding your wallet or they will hurt you?  If you believe the threat is not serious and there are people around, perhaps you just start yelling to attract attention.  The majority of the time the attacker does not want attention drawn to them because they do not want to get caught.  If you see a weapon though, you are best to give over your purse or wallet since it is not worth risking your life.  Even if it is a bluff, do you want to take that chance?  Another option is to offer to give them whatever they want and throw your purse or wallet one direction. Be sure to run the opposite direction or to where there is the best chance of getting help. Do not run same direction as the purse.

Now, if you are isolated and someone is demanding your belongings,  you are best to play on the side of caution and give into their demands for the purse or wallet. In this circumstance you are best to throw it the opposite direction to give you a chance to create distance.  I have many people ask if they could keep a second wallet or a dummy stash of cash?  Sure, but 99% of people are not going to go to this extent to protect their valuables.  I have many say, but my wallet has at least $100 and all my personal information in it.  I usually respond by saying, "What if you don't give it and you end up dead".  Does it really matter that they have your personal information? 

Remember though, that there are only 3 things an attacker wants - your property, your body or your life.  So, if you give this person your money and they do not leave, you better be prepared to defend yourself as their last 2 possible wants are much more serious.

I also have many women ask me how they should carry their purse?  While having your purse cross ways over your shoulder to the other side might deter someone from going for it, if they do, you are more likely to be dragged or pulled into a car as an example.  In public, you might carry it this way with plenty of people around keeping one hand on the purse at all times.  Carrying your purse over one shoulder might be easier to grab, but if they do, you are more likely to escape safely without being pulled or dragged.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both ways but most important is to remember what is your life worth and should you fight to keep your possessions? 

There are many situations where physical defense is necessary immediately but avoiding trouble is always your best priority and by giving the attacker your purse or wallet you may be able to get home to your family safely without any physical harm. 

My name is Chris Roberts and I operate Safe International, Ontario, Canada's leader in self defense instruction for both women and men.  Please check out our website at www.safeinternational.biz and you can email me at chris@safeinternational.biz

Sexual Assault: Dispelling the Myths

February 21, 2010 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Sometimes I give statistics on sexual assault.  Here I offer some of the myths about Sexual Assault.  I found this article by Ontario Women's Directorate.  It also contains quite a bit on assault in Canadian Universities.  

MYTH: Sexual assault is not a common problem.

FACT: Sexual assault is experienced by Canadian women every day  at home, at work, at school and on the street.

• A 1993 Statistics Canada survey found that one-half of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of sexual or physical violence. Almost 60% of these women were the targets of more than one such incident. (1)
• A 1984 study found that one in four Canadian women will be sexually assaulted during her lifetime. Half of these assaults will be against women under the age of 16. (2)
• For women with disabilities, these figures may be even higher  one study indicates that 83% of women with disabilities will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime. (3)

MYTH: Women lie about being sexually assaulted, often because they feel guilty about having sex.

FACT: Women rarely make false reports about sexual assault. In fact, sexual assault is a vastly under-reported crime. According to Statistics Canada, only 6% of all sexual assaults are reported to police.

MYTH: Sexual assault is most often committed by strangers.

FACT: Women face the greatest risk of sexual assault from men they know, not strangers. Of the women who are sexually assaulted, most (69%) are sexually assaulted by men known to them  dates, boyfriends, marital partners, friends, family members or neighbours. (4)

For example, four out of five female undergraduates recently surveyed at Canadian universities said that they had been victims of violence in a dating relationship. Of that number, 29% reported incidents of sexual assault. (5)

When a woman knows the man who sexually assaults her, it is less likely that it will be recognized as a crime, even by her. But these sexual assaults are no less a crime than those committed by strangers.

MYTH: The best way for a woman to protect herself from sexual assault is to avoid being alone at night in dark, deserted places, such as alleys or parking lots.

FACT: Most sexual assaults (60%) occur in a private home and the largest percentage of these (38%) occur in the victim's home. (6) The idea that most sexual assaults fit the 'stranger-in-a-dark-alley' stereotype can lead to a false sense of security.

MYTH: Women who are sexually assaulted "ask for it" by the way they dress or act.

FACT: The idea that women "ask for it" is often used by offenders to rationalize their behaviour. It also blames the victim for the crime, not the offender.

Victims of sexual assault report a wide range of dress and actions at the time of the assault. Any woman of any age and physical type, in almost any situation, can be sexually assaulted. If a woman is sexually assaulted, it is not her fault.

No woman ever "asks" or deserves to be sexually assaulted. Whatever a woman wears, wherever she goes, whomever she talks to, "no" means "no". It's the law.

MYTH: Men who sexually assault women are either mentally ill or sexually starved.

FACT: Men who sexually assault are not mentally ill or sexually starved. Studies on the profiles of rapists reveal that they are "ordinary" and "normal" men who sexually assault women in order to assert power and control over them. (7)

MYTH: Men of certain races and backgrounds are more likely to sexually assault women.

FACT: Men who commit sexual assault come from every economic, ethnic, racial, age and social group. The belief that women are more often sexually assaulted by men of colour or working class men is a stereotype rooted in racism and classism.

Men who commit sexual assault can be the doctors, teachers, employers, co-workers, lawyers, husbands, or relatives of the women they assault.

A recent survey on date rape provides a strong indication of the range of potential male offenders. In this survey, 60% of Canadian college-aged males indicated that they would commit sexual assault if they were certain they would not get caught. (8)

MYTH: It's only sexual assault if physical violence or weapons are used.

FACT:Sexual assault is any unwanted act of a sexual nature imposed by one person upon another. The Criminal Code definition of sexual assault includes a number of acts ranging from unwanted sexual touching, to sexual violence resulting in wounding, maiming or endangering the life of the victim.

Most sexual assaults are committed by a man known to the victim who is likely to use verbal pressure, tricks and/or threats during an assault.

MYTH: Unless she is physically harmed, a sexual assault victim will not suffer any long-term effects.

FACT:Sexual assault can have serious effects on women's health and well-being. A recent survey of Canadian women found that nine out of ten incidents of violence against women have an emotional effect on the victim. Women who have been sexually assaulted feel anger, fear and can become more cautious and less trusting. (9)

MYTH: Women cannot be sexually assaulted by their husbands or boyfriends.

FACT:Under the law, women have the right to say no to any form of sex, even in a marriage or dating relationship. The Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women found that 38% of sexually assaulted women were assaulted by their husbands, common-law partners or boyfriends. (10) Although sexual assault within relationships has been illegal in Canada since 1983, few women report such incidents to police.

Chris Roberts operates Safe International, Canada's leader in self protection instruction.  They have taught more than 100 000 clients since 1994!  For more information on private, corporate or high school lessons contact Chris at chris@safeinternational.biz

Real Self Defense vs Martial Arts

February 19, 2010 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - For years most self defense training practiced by people was through their local martial arts club or dojo.  While most people who do teach Reality Based self defense have some form of a martial arts background, there is a huge difference between real self defense and martial arts.


My self defense background also began in the martial arts world.  I trained and received my black belt in Shotokan karate.  It was an excellent introduction to learning how to strike, kick, and learn throws.  As I began exploring more of the world and real self defense, I found while those skills were necessary and beneficial, they were by no means meant for the stress and panic of a real attack scenario.
First of all, when you train in a dojo, respect for your training partner is paramount, which is the exact opposite to how an attacker sees you in the street. Think of it, in a real street attack, your attacker has chosen you because they have no respect for you and consider you to be an easy target.  Why else would they have chosen you?  An attacker does not look at a potential victim as a challenge that will make them into a better attacker.  Rather,they have sized you up as the easiest person to get whatever they are after.  As Tony Blauer (self defense expert) says, "An attacker only wants one of 3 things, either your property, your body or your life".  In a dojo, your training partner does not want any of those things, so how do you train to give yourself the best tools necessary to handle a real street confrontation.

MMA and the UFC are huge these days attracting millions of viewers and fans.  While these warriors are obviously well skilled in striking, grappling and many forms of the martial arts, we still set rules when they are in combat.  Think of it, why are strikes such as eye gouges, biting, small joint manipulation, strikes to the back of the head not allowed?  Simply because THEY ARE EFFECTIVE!  My favourite 

disallowed technique is that you are not allowed to put a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent. That one is just nasty.  There are about 20 strikes or techniques that are not allowed.  Guess what?  In a real street attack those are probably your best tools to utilize. Also, traditionally in martial arts we learn skills that involve complex motor skills which are just not designed for a high stress situation.  When your heart rate reaches approximately 150 beats per minute all your body is able to perform is Gross Motor movements and strikes like palms, elbows, and knees. Complex motor skills can only be introduced once you are in physical and mental control of your attacker.

In a real attack scenario you are hit emotionally first.  When I trained and became certified in Personal Defense Readiness through Tony Blauer I quickly realized how true this is.  Most systems completely ignore this aspect of self defense and it is just as important, if not important, than having the physical tools to defend yourself.  As Mr. Blauer says, "The mind navigates the body".  What this means is you can have all the physical knowledge of self defense in the world, but if you are not prepared mentally, you will not be able to use those physical skills.  Real self defense training incorporates Emotional Climate training (PDR) in their drills.  Instead of having a partner who cooperates with you, they provide the resistance and emotions of a real attacker.  What this does is help to recreate as much as possible, all the details of a real attack.

In closing, while martial arts is a great way to learn some of the skills involved in self defense, one must learn all else that goes with the physical skills.

I am the teaching director for Safe International.  We have taught more than 100 000 clients since 1994.  I am also a Fundamentals Coach in Personal Defense Readiness through Blauer Tactical Systems.  You can contact me at chris@safeinternational.biz for more information.

Ontario women were asphyxiated, source says

February 17, 2010, Toronto, Canada - This is more info in the Jessica Lloyd murder and the alleged second victim of Air Force Colonel Russell Williams from CFB Trenton.  Much of this happened in rural Ontario and not just in a large Canadian city. There may also be ties to Paul Bernardo, aka, the Scarborough Rapist. 

Jessica Lloyd was strangled by her killer, according to a source who says the death of the 27-year-old from Belleville was the ultimate crime in a "bizarre escalation" of behaviour.

A second alleged victim of Canadian Forces Air Force Colonel Russell Williams was also asphyxiated, sources familiar with the investigation say. But detectives believe the death of Canadian Forces Corporal Marie-France Comeau, 38, was not intentionally inflicted. "The theory is that she was meant to live."

Col. Williams stands accused of first-degree murder in both cases. He is also charged with two counts of sexual assault stemming from attacks on two women who live close to his Tweed-area cottage.

As well, he is under scrutiny in less severe crimes - starting with the thefts of women's underwear dating back to 2006.

A source said police are probing 48 such cases and have recovered stolen lingerie - neatly stored, catalogued and concealed - in searches of the suspect's Ottawa home.

The investigative theory is that Col. Williams graduated from the years of panty raids to sexual assaults, and then to murder.

In July, he took command of 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Canada's largest Air Force base. In September, two women were bound with tape and blindfolded by a man they could not identify.

Those attacks took place two months before Col. Williams's subordinate, Cpl. Comeau, was found slain in her home. A source said she had been gagged and blindfolded before the killing.

Ms. Lloyd, who worked for a school-bus company, disappeared on Jan. 29. She had just sent a text message to a friend saying she was safely inside her home in Belleville, a community east of CFB Trenton.

Police were led to her body in the woods near a rural roadway in Tweed, northeast of the army base, after Col Williams's arrest and interrogation this past weekend.

Ms. Lloyd's funeral is to take place this weekend. Col. Williams is being held in the Quinte Detention Centre in Napanee.

Murder victims Jessica Lloyd and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau

The "bizarre escalation" theory casts doubt on growing public speculation that the alleged pattern of sex crimes could incorporate decades-old "cold" cases of homicide or sexual assault.

Detectives probing the Eastern Ontario murders have been flooded with calls from Manitoba and Nova Scotia as concerned citizens and police ask whether the ongoing investigation might shed light on old crimes.

During the 1980s, Col. Williams attended high school and university in Toronto. He joined the military and was posted to bases in Western, Eastern, and Central Canada in the 1990s.

Before his arrest he had an unblemished career.

The Ontario Provincial Police say their priority remains gathering evidence on the current cases, and they're not dusting off legacy files just yet.

"Right now, the core investigation is still around the four incidents now before the courts," said OPP Sergeant Kristine Rae.

Police are still scouring those crime scenes, she said. Sgt. Rae acknowledged that police and families of other missing women have been calling.

The OPP will not say whether they have obtained a DNA sample from Col. Williams - although it is likely, given the ongoing searches of his properties.

His genetic code will likely prove an invaluable tool in the investigations, regardless of whether it implicates him in other crimes or clears him of suspicion.

Parliament passed laws creating a national DNA databank in 2000, allowing police look for matches with evidence obtained from crime scenes.

Police can re-examine old crime-scene evidence, such as hair, blood and semen of potential suspects, because biological material can survive for years after a crime takes place.

Samples are sent to forensic scientists who input the code into the "crime scene index," or CSI component, of the national DNA databank, which is run by the RCMP.

The oldest scrap of evidence in the national databank is from 1964 - decades before the forensic science based on genetic code became a reality. The database has DNA evidence from more than 50,000 crime scenes.

"I like to look at the DNA databank as a justice time machine," Ron Fourney, the scientist in charge of the databank, said in an interview. "DNA is often a silent witness."

He said he could not comment on individual cases.

Meanwhile, police are said to be investigating whether there are any ties between Col. Williams and serial killer Paul Bernardo, according to a report Friday in the Toronto Sun which said the two were “pals” during their university years. Police sources have said there is currently no known connection between the two men.

Col. Williams and Mr. Bernardo attended the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus at the same time, Col. Williams graduated in 1986 and Mr. Bernardo in 1987. Col. Williams studied economics and political science while Mr. Bernardo obtained a BA in business.

Mr. Bernardo, who was later convicted of killing three schoolgirls in the early 1990s, has admitted to raping at least a dozen women in Scarborough at that time.

Timothy Appleby

From Friday's Globe and Mail Published on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 3:30AM EST Last updated on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 3:26AM EST

With reports from Colin Freeze and Greg McArthur

Safe International has instructed more than 100 000 clients since 1994.  Contact Chris Roberts for more information at chris@safeinternational.biz

9 months for woman involved in hammer attack

February 15, 2010, Toronto, Canada - People think stuff like this only happens in the larger cities. This woman was sentenced to 9 months for her involvement in an attack with a hammer. This happened in safe little Prince Edward Island.  Attacks can happen anywhere at any time of day.  Would you be prepared to defend yourself?

A P.E.I. woman was sentenced Tuesday to nine months in jail for her part in a violent hammer attack that left a cocaine dealer bloodied and bruised.

Court heard that Lynn Anne Byrne, 41, of Summerside, went to the man's house in November 2008 with Erica Desroches, 22.

The man, who is in his 40s, was beaten with a hammer - an attack that sent him stumbling to a neighbour's house for help.

According to reports, police were called and the man was kept in hospital overnight for observation.

Desroches was sentenced last April to five years in prison for her part in the attack.

Byrne faced charges of attempted murder and assault.

She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. Both the Crown and defence recommended the sentence.

by QMI agency.

Safe International will travel throughout Canada to offer their instruction to corporations, privately and to women's organizations.  Safe also has qualified weapons defense instructors.  Contact Chris Roberts at chris@safeinternational.biz