Low Cost Interventions
9. Empowerment and Feminist Self Defence Classes
Empowerment and feminist self defence classes offer women and girls a holistic approach to protecting themselves against male violence against women (MVAWG).
Classes aim to empower participants with verbal and physical self defence skills, whilst also addressing the social and emptional impacts of violence victimisation. The classes are designed to be inclusive and focus on building confidence and a sense of personal autonomy, as well as physical tactics to fight off an offender. They teach women and girls how to recognise inappropriate behaviour, learn ways to keep themselves safe, as well as feeling empowered and enhance their self esteem.
Per cohort cost (20 hours)
Self-defence instructor: (£40-£65 per hour) £800-£1,300
Assistant trainer: (£18-£30 per hour) £360-£600
Venue hire: (£20-£40 ph) £400-£800
Admin/scheduling/safeguarding/DBS checks: £500-£1,000
Equipment: £1,000-£2,000
Participant workbooks: (£2-£3 per unit) £40-£60
Takeaway safety cards: (£0.2-£0.4 per unit) £4-£8
Total per cohort: (20 hours) £3,104-£5,768
Recruiting trained instructors/Confirm venue/Develop safeguarding procedures/Develop timetable/ Develop referral pathways: 1-3 weeks
Order equipment/print materials/begin community engagement/launch trial workshops: 2-3 weeks
Full programme rollout/instructor monitoring/evaluations/establishing referral loops: 3-4 weeks
Total: 6-10 weeks
Maintenance cost will regenerate with each new cohort, assuming a 10% equipment break/loss rate, 50% on admin/scheduling/safeguarding/DBS checks.
Maintenance cost per cohort: £1,954-£3,468
Effectiveness
Categorised as an education intervention by College of Policing. With 85,000 rapes per year in the UK, and only 5.7% reported cases resulting in a conviction, this is a crucial intervention. 54% of women fear being followed, and 78% fear travelling alone in the dark. Studies consistently report that feminist self-defence increases women's sense of agency and reduces feelings of helplessness. Participating women report increased confidence and willingness to assert themselves, shifting their perception from 'potential victim' to 'active agent'.