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"Don't Ever Give Up!" Resisting Victimhood Through Self-Defense
1Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|January 4, 2018
Summary
Feminist self-defense courses empower women by increasing physical skills and confidence to resist attackers. These programs offer vital tools for personal safety and challenge traditional notions of femininity.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Criminology
- Women's Studies
Background:
- Debate on physical resistance for women against male attackers.
- Exploration of feminist self-defense courses' role.
- Challenging dominant discourses on femininity and empowerment.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate a feminist self-defense course's impact.
- Assess empowerment potential, especially for high-risk women.
- Examine factors critical to course success.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative data: interviews with participants (n=15), stakeholders (n=15), instructors (n=7).
- Quantitative data: pre-post course evaluations (n=115).
- Analysis of diverse women's group experiences.
Main Results:
- Increased self-defense skills among participants.
- Enhanced confidence and readiness to use skills.
- Positive experiences reported by participants and stakeholders.
Conclusions:
- Feminist self-defense courses enhance practical skills and psychological readiness.
- These courses contribute to women's empowerment and prevention strategies.
- Critical success factors identified for program replication.