Violence Against Women: Lessons from the Gilgo Beach Case - By Sensei Liam Musiak

The recent guilty plea of Rex Heuermann in connection with the Gilgo Beach serial killings is not just the end of a case — it is a reminder of something much deeper and far more uncomfortable.

Evil does not always come loudly. Sometimes it waits, watches, and preys on those already struggling.

A Plea After Years of Silence

For over a decade, these murders went without justice.

Families waited.

Friends waited.

And answers never came.

What makes this even harder to accept is that law enforcement had information — a tip that, once acted upon, led to the killer within weeks. Yet it sat there for years while lives remained unresolved.

Many family members have spoken out, saying they believe the case was not treated with the urgency it deserved because the victims were sex workers. Time and time again, the label “prostitutes” was emphasised — as if that made them less worthy of protection.

But as one local resident, Ellen Munoz, said:

“They’re not less than because they did what they had to do.”

And she’s right.

These women were not just victims of a killer.

They were victims of circumstance, vulnerability — and ultimately, pure evil that took advantage of them in some of the hardest moments of their lives.

The Reality We Cannot Ignore

This case is not isolated.

Women are still targeted:

• when they are alone

• when they are vulnerable

• when they are trying to survive difficult situations

Predators look for exactly that — not strength, but opportunity.

There is nothing powerful about what this man did.

It is cowardice in its most extreme form.

Strength Is Not Just Physical

As a martial artist, I teach that self-defence is not about fighting — it is about:

• awareness

• decision-making

• confidence

Because danger rarely starts with an attack.

It starts with something feeling wrong.

And too often, people are taught to ignore that feeling.

Lessons We Must Take Forward

1.

Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off, don’t explain it away.

Your safety is more important than being polite.

2.

Awareness Is Everything

Know where you are.

Know who is around you.

Stay present.

Most attackers rely on distraction and opportunity.

3.

Predators Exploit Vulnerability

This is the hardest truth:

People who are already struggling — financially, emotionally, or socially — are often targeted.

That’s why awareness and support matter so much.

4.

Set Boundaries Without Apology

You do not owe anyone access to you.

Confidence can disrupt a situation before it escalates.

5.

Train Your Mind

Self-defence is not just physical technique.

It is:

• recognising danger early

• acting without hesitation

• trusting yourself under pressure

What Real Strength Looks Like

Men like Rex Heuermann are not strong.

They are opportunistic and predatory.

Real strength is:

• discipline

• control

• protecting those who need it

Not exploiting them.

Final Thought

We cannot undo what has been done.

But we can refuse to ignore the lessons.

These women deserved more — more protection, more urgency, more respect.

And moving forward, we have a responsibility:

• to be more aware

• to take safety seriously

• and to never allow vulnerability to be seen as weakness

Train to protect yourself.

Train to protect others.

And never forget — awareness can save lives.