In a good empowerment self-defense program, students learn awareness, assertiveness, and verbal and physical skills. These skills can help defenders prevent, escape, resist, and survive assault, abuse, or harassment. In choosing a class, look for a program or an instructor who:
– about abuse and assault aimed at women, transgender and non binary people, and others targeted for violence and tailors classes to these realities. For example, a good class will address situations involving acquaintances and romantic partners as well as attacks by strangers. For example, a good class will address situations involving acquaintances and romantic partners as well as attacks by strangers.
– of the lives of women, transgender and non binary people, and others targeted for violence and is able to work with each student where they are. For example, a good teacher adapts verbal and physical techniques to each student’s strengths and challenges; they will not have a “one-size-fits-all” program.
– on how to handle dangerous or threatening situations and does not blame or judge survivors.
– to help students make their own decisions about how to handle situations instead of telling students what they should or should not do.
– not only to the practice of self-defense but also to teaching the program. For example, students should be able to determine their own levels of participation in the class, and no one should feel pressured into doing specific exercises.
(Thanks to the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault for some of this material.)
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