Defend Yourself

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

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

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Our programs
    • Find a class
    • Safer Libraries
    • Bring us to you
    • Classes for everyone
    • Safe Bars
    • Bystander intervention
    • Girl Scouts
    • Street Harassment Hotline
  • About us
    • Meet our team
    • About Lauren
    • What people say about Defend Yourself
    • In the news
  • FAQ
    • What’s a class like?
    • What’s the difference between martial arts & self-defense?
    • Can I do it?
    • How to pick an empowerment self-defense class
  • Learn something now
  • Resources
  • Contact us

Resources

Find an empowerment self-defense teacher
Places to get help + learn more

Find an empowerment self-defense teacher

If you don’t live in the D.C. area, this organization has a list of certified self-defense instructors around the country and the world. Or contact us and we can connect you with groups in your area.

Places to learn more and get help

All of the listings below can help you no matter what happened to you, whether it happened recently, a long time ago, or it is happening now. All can refer you to other resources if they don’t have what you need.

1in6
Online chat and support groups for male survivors of sexual violence.

ASHA for Women
Supports South Asian women who have faced partner abuse and their children.
1-888-417-2742

Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project
Services to survivors in many languages.
202-833-2233

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
To report an incident of hate or police misconduct, go to the ACLU site and find the chapter nearest you. ACLU’s site has info on all the know your rights areas, for everything from LGBT high school students to dealing with TSA, to sexual assault in detention, to immigration, to what to do if your rights are violated at a demonstration, and more.

Break the Cycle
Educational programs for teens and parents on healthy relationships, abusive relationships, and your legal rights. They also head up Love is Not Abuse.
help@breakthecycle.org
888-988-TEEN

Council on American-Islamic Relations
Has resources, including Know Your Rights, as well as links to chapters around the country. Can report an incident and they may take legal action on your behalf.

DC Anti-Violence Project
Services + advocacy for LGBTQ+ nonbinary people experiencing hate crimes or partner abuse.

DC Rape Crisis Center
You can call even if the incident happened decades ago and even if you’re not sure it was rape.
202-333-RAPE (7273)

DC Victim Hotline
For people who have been the victim of any kind of crime in DC. Can connect you with Victim Compensation if you need expenses or losses covered.
844-4HELPDC (844-443-5732)
dcvictim.org/chat

Deaf DAWN
Working to end sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking in the Deaf community. Extensive services for survivors.
hotline@deafdawn.org/ (Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
202-559-5366 24-hour video phone

Hindu American Foundation

Love is respect
Help for you, a friend, or your teen if you’re a parent.
National teen dating abuse hotline
1-866-331-9474
1-866-331-8453 TTY
Text: LOVEIS to 22522

Insta - IM Chat - English

Men Can Stop Rape
Information for men on supporting survivors and healthy masculinity.

Muslims for Progressive Values
Has an extensive list of resources.

National Alliance on Mental Illness
If you (think you might) have a mental illness or if you have a friend or family member who does.
800-950-NAMI
info@nami.org
text NAMI to 741741

National Center for Victims of Crime
Resources on assault, bullying, child sexual abuse, robbery, sexual assault and harassment, stalking, and more.

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
Working to end violence and its effects on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected people. Referrals to local organizations and more.
212-714-1141 hotline

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Resources, referrals, and counseling in dozens of languages. Can refer to local groups anywhere in the country.
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 TTY
Live chat also available.

National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline
1-888-373-7888 or TTY 711
Text “BeFree” to 233733
help@humantraffickinghotline.org

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)
Phone and online support and referrals to groups in your area.
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat

National Street Harassment Hotline
Free, 24-7, English y Espanol. You can call if you experience harassment in any public space.
855-897-5910
IM chat: tinyurl.com/theshhotline

The Network la Red
Hotline for LGBT folks, as well as folks in SM/kink and polyamorous communities, who are being abused or have been abused by a partner. In English and Espanol.
617-742-4911
800-832-1901

SafeSisters Circle
Helps Black women in DC who are being abused, especially those in Wards 7 and 8, with legal needs, housing, and support groups.

Sanctuary DMV
Accompaniment to ICE check-ins, immigration hearings, and other contacts with the system. Rapid Response Team shows up when ICE is conducting raids or other enforcement activity.
202-335-1183

Sexual Health Counseling and Referral Hotline
Info and support on birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy options, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and other aspects of reproductive health.
877-686-5772 x 3

Sex Workers Outreach Project USA
Call for general support, advice, someone to talk to, crisis counseling, referrals, and info about safety and legal rights.
877-776-2004 x 1

Southern Poverty Law Center
www.splcenter.org/reporthate to report a hate incident.

Strong Hearts Native Helpline
In addition to the helpline, the site has many resources for Native American and Alaska Native people experiencing abuse.
1−844-762-8483 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CST.

Tahirih Justice Center
Works to protect immigrant women and girls seeking fleeing violence, including forced marriage, trafficking, and genital mutilation. Has groups in many cities, including DC.
410-999-1900 or 571-282-6161.

Trans Lifeline
Staffed by transgender people for transgender people.
877-565-8860

Get our newsletter!

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

Help support Defend Yourself!

Join us on social media!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

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
 

Head

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
Heart

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.
Hand

Based in Washington, D.C., serving the world

© 2021 Defend Yourself / Website design by Sarah Marie Lacy