Ask ESD Instructors: Trauma and Empowerment Self-Defense

Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) Instructor Lisa Klenk asked:

What experiences of re-traumatization have you had in your classes? How did you deal with it? What is the most important advice you can give me?

Empowerment Self-Defense Instructors responded

Clara Porter, Prevention.Action.Change, Portland Maine

I've been teaching ESD for 25 years and no one has ever been 'retraumatized' by a class. They've experienced activation sure, been triggered even yes, but the frame is there to hold and normalize all responses. 

• We say from the beginning that participants are the experts of their own bodies and know best what will work for them.

• We tell them that we'll check in if they leave the training floor but just to see if there's anything we can do to be supportive. 

• We never ask people to tell their stories but we hold space for them if they choose to do so.

• Extra training is helpful and will give you more tools for both helping people ground and re-center in the moment and for recognizing when someone is 'checking out' or disassociating because the material is getting overwhelming so that you can intervene early. One of the best trainings offered is for volunteer advocates at local sexual assault centers. Some will allow folks who don't intend to be a hotline volunteer to participate. 

• Have resources for local sexual assault centers on hand. 

Magdalena Dircio Diaz

I work with survivors and usually am the first person to provide services after an assault. We always need to keep in mind that survivors will be attending ESD trainings. I have started to incorporate restorative justice practices (starting with a restorative, community building circle) into my ESD curriculum. I also am getting certified in trauma-informed care. I hope these tools will help me best address situations where someone is triggered since most of my ESD participants will be survivors. In the United States, you have to be certified to work directly with survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence victim advocacy. For those not in the US or not near a center that offers such trainings, NOVA (National Organization of Victim Assistance) has some online training for individuals working with survivors. There is also trauma-informed care training on line; for example, San Diego State University Department of Counseling and School Psychology offers a graduate certificate in trauma-informed care and mental health recovery.

Beth Bowman

I think it's an opportunity to do great work.  I've been in the mental health field for 30 years and I've always looked for ways to combine my martial arts knowledge with supporting those who have experienced trauma.  I believe we should work to be trauma-informed and as Clara Porter said, provide space and support for those affected. It is also important to understand the importance of grounding and know the limits of our expertise. There are some great resources out there on the subject as well (see below).  Providing local resources for those needing additional support or trusted referral sources outside of class is very important.

Amy Jones, Culture of Safety, Chicago IL

I highly recommend having an assistant or co-teacher so that you have someone who can attend to the needs of the class AND someone who can attend to someone in crisis.

Comments from Facebook
Carol Schaffer, ESD Instructor
What experiences of re-traumatization isn't for me quite the right question...more like, what experiences of big emotions, painful memories, and physiological distress arise as students rehears interrupting violence? It would be hard to be working on assault defense (sexual or otherwise) and have that not happen. True for survivors but also folks who are contemplating for the first time how awful such an experience might be. If in response to the threat, someone enacts protective behaviors (all or even part of a scenario or skill set), it's now potentially a healing experience or success moment (for nearly all). Re-traumatization would be more likely if students were exposed to these stressful situations and the aggression was completed. Triggering is not that common (panic attacks, reliving the experience as if it was real-vs remembering the experience) in classes, and all the emotional and physical responses are normalized and supported. So great to hear what others have shared as well.

Rose Baker, IMPACT Chicago graduate
With respect and dignity-I did not disclose my attack when I took the 2nd class (my attack happened back in 1979ish timeframe). But I felt safe and secure-my releasing of the feelings-that the attack was my fault-came out at the self-defense with more than one attacker class. I was allowed to cry and walk away without judgment and come back to class when I was ready-it took about 3 to 4 minutes and yes one can fight when crying. I totally recommend this class and/or additional cassles.

Recommended Readings

Brecklin, Leanne R. 2011. The Benefits of Self-Defense Training for Sexual Assault Survivors. Pp.276-295 in Thema Bryant-Davis (Ed.) Surviving Sexual Violence: A Guide to Recovery and Empowerment.

Frankl, Viktor E. 2006 (originally 1946). Man’s Search for Meaning. Boston: Beacon.

Herman, Judith L. 2015. Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. New York: Basic Books.

Rosenblum, Gianine D. and Lynn S. Task. 2014. Self-Defense as Clinical Intervention for Survivors of Trauma. Violence Against Women 20 (3): 293-308.

Valdiserri, Anna. 2016. Trauma-Aware Self-Defense Instruction: How Instructors Can Help Maximize the Benefits. Amazon Digital Services.

van der Kolk, Bessel. 2015. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma. London: Penguin.

Compiled and edited by Martha Thompson, IMPACT Chicago. Original question and comments from  ESD Global Movement Facebook Page, shared with permission from Lisa Klenk, Clara Porter, Magdalena Dircio Diaz Beth Bowman, and Amy Jones.