Self-Defense

     Self-defense is a tool of finding empowerment and developing assertiveness, something which those socialized as female in our culture are often not taught to do. However, self-defense cannot be the end of the discussion.
     What causes a circumstance of sexual assault is someone willing to sexually assault--not whether or not the target has self-defense skills. In addition, most campus rapists create situations in which their target is severely intoxicated or incapacitated, making defense impossible.
     Self-defense classes should be used as a part of a broader campus-wide movement for social change, beyond individual educational efforts.

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• Beyond Rape: A Survivor's Story  A bold, groundbreaking, piece of journalism in which Joanna Connors turns her reportorial skills on her own sexual assault. Originally published in The Plain Dealer of Cleveland in May, 2008. Winner of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma Award. http://dartcenter.org/content/beyond-rape
  Tags: Self-Defense 
• The Spectrum of Prevention  The Spectrum of Prevention helps expand prevention efforts beyond education models by promoting a multifaceted range of activities for effective prevention. Includes: Influencing Policy and Legislation,, Changing Organizational Practices, Fostering Coalitions and Networks, Educating Providers, Promoting Community Education, and Strengthening Individual Knowledge and Skills. http://www.preventioninstitute.org/index.php?option=com_jlibrary&view=article&id=105&Itemid=127
  Tags: Best Practices  Prevention  Community Mobilization  Laws, Policy and Legislation  Self-Defense  Social Norms Change  Theory  Framing the Issue  Environmental Change 
• Green Dot Bystander Intervention Strategy  The Green Dot strategy is a comprehensive approach to violence prevention that capitalizes on the power of peer and cultural influence across all levels of the socio-ecological model. Bring it to your campus! http://www.livethegreendot.com
  Tags: Best Practices  Prevention  Bystander Intervention  Campaign  Curricula  Intimate Partner Violence  Self-Defense  Social Norms Change  Environmental Change 
• Transforming a Rape Culture  A groundbreaking collection of diverse voices tackling a wide range of important issues, this book is a much-needed step toward eliminating the sources of rape and rape culture. http://milkweed.org/shop/product/156/transforming-a-rape-culture/
  Tags: Theory  Rape Culture  Curricula  Self-Defense  Students of Color 

Campus Sexual Violence Prevention Portal

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For questions about this page, please contact the Injury and Violence Prevention program at:health.injuryprevention@state.mn.us

See also Health Promotion and Chronic Disease

Alcohol Facilitation Art and Theater Athletes Best Practices Bystander Intervention Campaign Campus Case Studies Coalition Community Mobilization Consent Curricula Engaging Men Environmental Change Family Framing the Issue Gender Institutional Responsibilities Intimate Partner Violence LGBTQ Laws, Policy and Legislation Masculinity Media Perpetration Prevention Public Health Rape Culture Rape Myths Rape and Sexual Violence Crisis Center Reporting Research Response Security Self-Defense Sexual Harassment Social Norms Change Students of Color Theory Toolkit Webinars