Event in Milford teaches women and girls self-defense

Women in Milford learned some tools to combat domestic violence from an MMA fighter.
The Maren Sanchez Home Foundation hosted an event Sunday to educate and empower women and girls.
In 2014, Sanchez was a victim of a violent attack that took her life. Her mother, Donna Cimarell, started the foundation to provide self-defense classes and self-awareness for women.
Cimarell teamed up with MMA fighter Nick Newell. He opened up his gym to provide tips on how to create distance from the attacker and maneuvers on how to get away.
"I hope that the girls leaving today learn a skill that they never have to use," said Newell. "But if something did happen, maybe it would make the difference."
The class began with a lecture, followed by hands-on techniques against emotional, psychological and verbal manipulation and physical violence.
The foundation provides education for hundreds of women.
The foundation is launching a campaign called Bring it Home for Maren for Giving Tuesday in December.