Self Defence for Women
On-going Self
Defence classes
Short courses
6 week courses for women who
have experienced violence
Workshops and seminars
for various community groups and educational
institutions
Mother-daughter
courses
On-going Self Defence
classes
It is recommended that women do ongoing self defence classes as
it is not possible to enable anyone to be able to competently and
confidently defend themselves against an aggressive or violent
attacker in a "short course".
There are four gradings available for women doing the self
defence program. The usual time taken to complete these is around
four years.
First grade covers basic issues
that apply to the use of self defence, the importance of developing
appropriate strategies for self defence, the use of the voice, and
"easy to learn and use" techniques.
These techniques are in two categories for the first grade,
disengaging techniques that allow the defender to use minimum force
to escape, and disabling techniques for a more dangerous situation.
These techniques usually involve a strike or kick and the use of
the voice to escape.
The second grade introduces
defences against weapon attacks and a wider range of options for
defending against a violent attacker.
The third grade concentrates on
controlling the attacker and introduces the use of tanbo (short
stick) and jujutsu stick in self defence. For more information
on short stick - click
here and for jujutsu stick - click here. Blind folded defences
and multiple attackers are dealt with in this grade.
The fourth grade is a basic weapon
grade involving the use of Tanbo.
Women are encouraged to begin Jujutsu or Silat classes if they
develop an interest in these arts, and often commence classes with
their children.
Short
courses
Introductory courses are available, usually a six week course
because we acknowledge that most women have little time to allocate
to themselves and their resources (time, money, childcare and
energy) are often limited.
These courses are an introduction to the issues surrounding self
defence, psychological, physical and legal.
6 to 8
week courses for women who have experienced violence
A six or eight week course comprising of 3 hour lessons (total
of 18 or 24 hours instruction) is conducted twice yearly in
conjunction with the Patricia Giles Centre (Women's refuge).
This course is designed to cater for women who have experienced
fear and violence and need to feel safe and comfortable in the
learning environment. It is free to the women who attend and child
care is provided by the refuge.
Participants receive a certificate and booklet and are
encouraged to continue classes after completing the course.
Workshops and seminars for
various community groups and educational institutions
Debbie Clarke does a range of workshops and seminars. For
further details click here.
Mother-daughter
courses
Girls as young as 10 can enrol in a self defence course if they
will be accompanied by an older female family member. Some of the
issues discussed in a Women's self defence class may need further
explanation and discussion at home to ensure that young girls
understand the course content and appreciate the importance of
learning to defend themselves. Girls should do the course because
they want to, not because they are being coerced in to it by
anxious parents.
Groups of mothers and daughters sometimes arrange a "private"
course or seminar, often when they are planning to travel overseas,
or if someone in the group has experienced an assault.