Smart Defense is a holistic self-defense training program designed to educate and 

empower individuals to use their strength and voices. The training emphasizes the education surrounding sexual violence prevention—in addition to the martial arts techniques used for defense and escape. Participants learn important concepts like consent, boundaries, red flags, situational and bystander awareness, as well as how to properly create space to get away from an attack. 

Smart Defense educates all genders, ethnicities, incomes, and backgrounds. Approximately 50% of those who attend and complete this program are survivors of sexual assault, violence, or exploitation. Smart Defense also offers a kids’ camp that’s designed for children ages 5-10 years old.  

Women and girls who take Smart Defense gain more confidence in their ability to set healthy boundaries and physically defend themselves. Men walk away from our program having a deeper understanding of healthy masculinity and how to avoid being a bystander to sexual violence. While fighting back does not guarantee an unharmed assault, it has been proven that those who resist and fight back are far more likely to either prevent or escape an attack.