Free self-defence session for students and staff.

*If no spaces are available, please contact jade.a.richards@york.ac.uk to go on the waiting list for cancellations.*

Naveed (https://www.power-for-women.org/) will guide us through some techniques to keep ourselves safe. The same session is held at mutliple times in one day. Please only book onto one session.

The session is an empowerment-focused experience, where participants leave with practical skills they can genuinely take away and use. We emphasise avoidance, deterrence, and early escape and the techniques are universally applicable across everyday situations, for example at home, while commuting, in public spaces, or when travelling.

Participants will work in pairs or small groups of three. There is some physical contact, but this is consensual, controlled, and clearly communicated throughout. We emphasise asking for consent, checking comfort levels and adjusting intensity accordingly. We do not teach fighting, the focus is on some psychology aspects, practical techniques and confidence-building, and we may use pads for certain drills.

There will be time for discussion and questions and participants are very welcome to email in advance with any access requirements or specific questions.

Contact: jade.a.richards@york.ac.uk or naveed@power-for-women.org

If you need further support after the session, here are some sources of support (https://www.york.ac.uk/students/health/help/) at University.

Spaces are strcitly limited. If you want a space and the event is sold out, please email jade.a.richards@york.ac.uk to go onto the waiting list. We may add an extra session if there enough people on the waiting list.

Please do not reserve a space if you are not attending. If you reserve a space and subsequently cannot attend, please cancel your booking or email to let us know. Failure to do so takes a space from someone who could use and benefit from it.

Description supplied by the event organiser.