SIDNEY – Friends of Amelia Wakefield and Hybrid Fit Gym in Sidney are offering a free self-defense class Sunday, while hoping to bring awareness of domestic violence and a message of self-worth to area teens.

Liberty Hope, a not-for-profit charity that works for domestic violence education, will also be available at the event.

Eleventh-grade Norwich student, Aliya Halbert, and friend of Amelia, expressed grief at her friend's passing and the circumstances of it to her fellow Jujitsu classmates and instructor.

Wanting to take a positive action they came up with the idea to offer free classes and education, she said.

“She was one of my best friends, maybe if she knew how to fight back maybe it would've of helped,” said Aliya.