Creating Safer Spaces in IMPACT

IMPACT participants often tell us that our programs feel “safe” even though a focus of the course is defending oneself in realistic attack scenarios. Our programs are an example of empowerment self-defense practices which include a commitment to creating safer spaces.
A safer place is where each participant

• is treated as an important part of the classroom community and members of marginalized groups do not face mainstream stereotypes or are marginalized
• can freely and fully participate 

• is welcomed regardless of gender identity or expression, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, cultural background, religious affiliation, age, or physical or mental ability
• is treated with respect and dignity.

Elements of a safer self-defense training space

·         Introductions of instructors establish competence and compassion, such as  providing information, word choices, and storytelling to convey:

ü  Skills to teach self-defense

ü  Classroom management skills

ü  Ability to support a range of emotions and issues that may arise

ü  Flexibility

ü  Compassion for and acceptance of others

·         Ground rules that make expectations public and clear, such as

ü  Confidentiality

ü  Treat self and others with respect

ü  This is a community where no one is isolated, told what to do ignored or judged

ü  Being fully present

ü  Active and nonjudgmental listening

·         Introductions of participants establish that we are creating a community that supports each person having a voice and choices about how to express themselves within specific guidelines, such as participants:

ü  have options and choices about how to present themselves, not a free-for-all or no options

ü  have options and avenues about how to express their concerns

ü  are asked to speak from one’s own experience, not expressing their opinions (serial testimony)

·         Establish violence as a social issue, not an individual problem, such as

ü  Reference to ways that cultural values and norms support violence, inequalities in experiences of violence and responses to self-defense

ü  Making it clear that responsibility for violence is the responsibility of perpetrators and those who ignore it; not the responsibility of targets of violence

ü  Making it clear that there are no absolutes or formulas for self-defense or only one way to respond to any situation because violence arises in a social context and people are targeted differently as are their efforts at self-defense

ü  People will not be blamed or belittled for choices they have made or will make

Martha Thompson & Alena Schaim
2015 NWMAF Empowerment Self-Defense Model Course