"It happened at the bar... "

Have you ever been harassed at a bar or club? Have you been the target of unwanted touching? Defend Yourself is joining with Collective Action for Safe Spaces to help make bars and clubs safe and welcoming for everyone! Find out how you can bring us to your favorite hangout here.

What would you like to say

to a harasser?

Defend Yourself students worked with Collective Action for Safe Spaces to create art saying exactly what they would like to say. Photographer Graham Patrick shares them here on his blog, Daily Act of Disobedience. Let us know -- via email or a picture of your own -- what your perfect response would be!

People are talking about Defend Yourself

Cathie Reid and Lauren Taylor demonstrate ways to handle harassment at the book release for Stop Street Harassment
Tips on dealing with street harassment at Holla Back DC!
Improve your skills with quick video lessons from instructors Lauren Taylor and Sarah Trembath
See Takoma Park teens break a(n imaginary) attacker's nose!
Unlearn the 'rules of rape' with Examiner Tiffany Hearsey

News you can use

What to do if you see something happening.
How do you define rape?
Shape yourself into someone who can say 'No.'

It's hard to say 'No.' Do it anyway.

(By Defend Yourself instructor Lauren Taylor. Originally appeared on Everyday Feminism. Read the whole piece here. )

Just say “no.” That’s easy to say, more difficult to do. In real life, standing up for yourself is actually pretty hard.

Though many of us insist that if we were intruded upon, we would set a firm limit, when faced with a sticky situation, we often go quiet, get passive, or freeze.

Whether we’re facing a random person who stands too close on the subway, a pushy coworker, an intrusive relative, or a would-be rapist, many of us find it hard to assert our boundaries.

What is

self-defense?

Many people think of self-defense as what they would do if someone jumped them in a parking lot or dark alley.

We do teach ways to fight off an attacker. But self-defense is much more than that! It is a set of skills--verbal, emotional, mental, and physical--that you can use to keep yourself safe, claim your space, set limits, say no, heal from abuse or attacks, and live the life you want to live. more»

Why self-defense?

Whether or not you live in a high-crime area, attack is an unfortunate possibility. For women especially, most assaults don't come from strangers in parking lots: They come from friends, acquaintances, romantic partners, or family members. more»

Have you ever had to use it?

"I attended your Defend Yourself workshop at [my college] last semester... I unfortunately had to use some tactics I learned from the workshop as I was assaulted [at the beach] this summer. I honestly believe that I avoided a rape from your training."




find a class bring us to you about us f.a.q. what people say newsletter resources contact us site map	"It happened at the bar... " Have you ever been harassed at a bar or club? Have you been the target of unwanted touching? Defend Yourself is joining with Collective Action for Safe Spaces to help make bars and clubs safe and welcoming for everyone! Find out how you can bring us to your favorite hangout here. What would you like to say to a harasser? Defend Yourself students worked with Collective Action for Safe Spaces to create art saying exactly what they would like to say. Photographer Graham Patrick shares them here on his blog, Daily Act of Disobedience. Let us know -- via email or a picture of your own -- what your perfect response would be! People are talking about Defend Yourself Cathie Reid and Lauren Taylor demonstrate ways to handle harassment at the book release for Stop Street Harassment Tips on dealing with street harassment at Holla Back DC! Improve your skills with quick video lessons from instructors Lauren Taylor and Sarah Trembath See Takoma Park teens break a(n imaginary) attacker's nose! Unlearn the 'rules of rape' with Examiner Tiffany Hearsey News you can use What to do if you see something happening. How do you define rape? Shape yourself into someone who can say 'No.'	It's hard to say 'No.' Do it anyway. (By Defend Yourself instructor Lauren Taylor. Originally appeared on Everyday Feminism. Read the whole piece here. ) Just say “no.” That’s easy to say, more difficult to do. In real life, standing up for yourself is actually pretty hard. Though many of us insist that if we were intruded upon, we would set a firm limit, when faced with a sticky situation, we often go quiet, get passive, or freeze. Whether we’re facing a random person who stands too close on the subway, a pushy coworker, an intrusive relative, or a would-be rapist, many of us find it hard to assert our boundaries. What is self-defense? Many people think of self-defense as what they would do if someone jumped them in a parking lot or dark alley. We do teach ways to fight off an attacker. But self-defense is much more than that! It is a set of skills--verbal, emotional, mental, and physical--that you can use to keep yourself safe, claim your space, set limits, say no, heal from abuse or attacks, and live the life you want to live. more» Why self-defense? Whether or not you live in a high-crime area, attack is an unfortunate possibility. For women especially, most assaults don't come from strangers in parking lots: They come from friends, acquaintances, romantic partners, or family members. more» Have you ever had to use it? "I attended your Defend Yourself workshop at [my college] last semester... I unfortunately had to use some tactics I learned from the workshop as I was assaulted [at the beach] this summer. I honestly believe that I avoided a rape from your training."


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