tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213149957923019495.post282346660021229547..comments2024-03-27T04:27:07.570-05:00Comments on IMPACT Chicago: What is Trauma-Sensitive Prevention?AShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023228232204475651noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213149957923019495.post-14169893132612334402014-04-15T18:33:14.665-05:002014-04-15T18:33:14.665-05:00While I agree from both a women's self defense...While I agree from both a women's self defense training and psychotherapy perspective, it's not entirely fair to suggest, as I think this piece does, that IMPACT and NWMAF are alone in empowering women and reducing re-victimization nor alone in being trauma aware. As the stats show, and you point out, so many women and girls HAVE already been victimized and or have experienced trauma by the time they come to SD or MA for that matter...and many types of training in the end, perhaps simply by teaching powerful methods, help in reducing re-victimization. <br /><br />While increasing the awareness of the effects of trauma for all in self defense and law enforcement has obvious benefits, to be frank, I've also seen over the years some IMPACT orgs and / or individual trainers make terrible 'blunders" for lack of better words by pushing women TOO HARD into traumatic places...and in some cases, by coddling trauma survivors too much. <br /><br />My own POV is that unless one is psychotherapy trained, at least to some reasonable capacity, one should not be quick to claim "trauma informed." (And what exactly does this mean ...?) This has also become very trendy verbiage. <br /><br />I also know women who trained in traditional MA- no particular sensitivities or psychology implied- whose training has greatly expedited healing and not created re-victimization. Ditto for women who've trained in self defense methods or systems with instructors NOT affiliated with Impact or NWMAF, yet who possess some knowledge and innate maturity in appreciating and working with residual and current trauma--and the anxieties that so many women and girls live with, day to day. And I include male trainers and teachers. <br /><br />In my opinion, the SKILL of the individual instructors/ trainers is most impt- and that should be assessed. <br /><br />In the end I just think we ALL need to be careful, thoughtful in terms of preaching- for lack of better words- about approaches or SD organizations. Not to deny what's true about any group's or individual's particular strengths, but more importantly not to come off as or insinuate "the only ones who..." <br /><br />Even the term "empowerment self defense" is a little unclear. For example Krav Maga and other systems could also lay claim to 'empowerment'...and I personally know teens who've been trained by ex military / combatives peoples who had remarkable healing and experienced the 'power of prevention' as a result of their training. <br /><br />savagebeautyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03401476663617101889noreply@blogger.com