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What is Self-Defense for College Students?


What is empowerment-focused self-defense for College Students?


First of all, self-defense and violence prevention is about more than physical skills!


Heading to college often means moving to a new city, state, or country. That can be intimidating and scary! It means leaving behind friends from high school and learning to make new ones. It means having an entirely new level of freedom and independence while trying to navigate your own boundaries and those of others. It means learning how to make decisions on your own and managing your safety, relationships, academic work, personal space, and time.


Students deserve realistic and factual verbal and physical safety strategies (not fear based) that they can use in their own daily lives to feel safe, empowered and prepared for different encounters. Establishing boundaries and understanding consent in a new environment with professors, coaches, classmates and partners is vital for well-being and mental health. Speaking up for themselves and each other is a core part of self-defense. Whether on or off campus, students have the right to know how to respond and protect themselves in any type of relationship when they're uncomfortable or feel threatened.



I teach strategies that can help students manage all of these things from a place of confidence and empowerment. At Girls Fight Back (and my gender inclusive program, StudentsFightBack), we specialize in large scale events for campuses to reach the maximum amount of people with transformative and life-saving skills. We'll talk about real issues and address practical ways to handle uncomfortable or threatening situations. The techniques I teach are evidence-based and have been shown to reduce the risk of sexual assault by up to 50%!


I wish I would have had this training when I went to college. But now I can make sure others do!


Over the last 20 years, we have taught millions of students around the world at hundreds of higher education institutions, universities, and community colleges. Students Fight Back won the NASPA Award for Outstanding Peer Education Program at Miami University in 2023. The most consistent feedback we receive from students is that "This should be taught everywhere!"



Empowerment-based self-defense techniques are life skills that can be used by anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Protecting ourselves mentally, emotionally, verbally and physically is a human right.


Students Fight Back is perfect for orientation, Greek Life, awareness events, or wellness initiatives.


Girls Fight Back is perfect for sororities, women's health, and empowerment/awareness events.


Check out all of our available programs HERE!





 
 
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