Defend Yourself

More safety, more confidence, more freedom, more fun!

Based in Washington, DC, serving the entire U.S.

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Donate to Defend Yourself

THANK YOU!

… for helping Defend Yourself empower people to stop harassment, abuse, and assault. Most of our workshops are offered on a sliding scale, and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Your gift will enable us to include more people.

Donate in any amount by clicking the button below using a credit card or PayPal. If you’d like to send a check or use Zelle, please contact us.



Deductions to Defend Yourself are not tax deductible.

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Sign up now for the monthly newsletter and you’ll also get our e-book with stories of real-life people standing up to harassment, abuse, and assault!

Read our latest newsletter here

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Meet Lauren

Teacher, resister, advocate, warrior princess. Passionate about a world free of gender-based violence and people becoming their full selves. Loves chocolate, justice, and cats (not necessarily in that order).

Click here to find out more!

Classes for everyone

Defend Yourself has classes for everyone, no matter what your age or ability. Whether you're dealing with street harassment, going off to college, healing from abuse, or any other challenge, we offer skills you can use.

Click here to see some of what we offer!

National Street Harassment Hotline

Call toll-free: 855-897-5910
(English + Spanish. 24-7)
Find out more!

More safety, more confidence, more freedom, more fun!

Get our newsletter!

Sign up now for our monthly newsletter and you’ll also get our e-book with stories of real-life people standing up to harassment, abuse, and assault!

Read our latest newsletter here
 

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Learn something now

  • Run,Yell,Tell, Hit, + Go Along
  • My journey to assertiveness
  • Strategies for safety
  • Should I yell FIRE!?!?
  • #9 Making self-defense a part of your life
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What people say

This class showed me that . . . I have every right to defend myself and take care of myself the best way I know how. My first responsibility is to myself.
Everybody needs this!
Her calm, steady energy felt reassuring.
This class exceeded my expectations! I looked forward to class and the chance to practice my skills. I enjoyed the supportive environment and the space to develop strategies for confronting harassment.
The teachers role-modeled being strong women.
This class was a springboard. Now I know where I need to go in the rest of my life.
I feel more confident, yet not complacent. I am learning to incorporate no into my everyday life.
Lauren is very encouraging and patient. An excellent teacher, she makes everyone feel comfortable.
Thank you for such an empowering, confidence-inspiring class. When you first announced that the class would teach both verbal and physical defense, I was a bit hesitant – I presumed I already knew how to verbally defend myself, and thought I was ready to get down to more hard core self-defense moves.
This class has given me a powerful toolkit and the confidence to yell “NO” and know I have every right to say it. It’s helped me rethink my personal boundaries and feel good about maintaining them.
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Based in Washington, D.C., serving the world

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