Four in-person seminars on “Introduction to Women's Self-Defense” will be offered this spring by the Montgomery County Commission for Women. Each S.A.F.E. (Self-defense Awareness and Familiarization Exchange) seminar is a two-hour "sampler" session for women of all ages and abilities taught by Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.)-certified instructors.
The seminars, which cost $12 per participant, are exclusively for women and require pre-registration to participate. Women ages 13-17 are welcome to participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult woman who is also registered for the class.
The classes will include training on risk, crime awareness and prevention. Participants will be given a 13-piece student folio with information on how to reduce the risk of exposure to violence and how to escape violence. Participants also will learn some physical aspects of self-defense.
The self-defense seminars will be offered at the following locations:
- Saturday, March 18. 1-3 p.m. Longwood Community Recreation Center, 19300 Georgia Ave., Brookeville.
- Tuesday, March 22. 7-9 p.m. Plum Gar Community Recreation Center, 19561 Scenery Drive, Germantown.
- Wednesday, March 28. 7-9 p.m. Mid-County Community Recreation Center, 2004 Queensguard Road, Silver Spring.
- Wednesday, April 5. 7-9 p.m. White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring.
A minimum of 10 participants is needed for each class.
A men’s self-defense class is also available but is not currently offered by the Commission for Women. Those interested in a men’s class should call 240-777-8300.
For more information about the Commission for Women, visit Home – CFW (montgomerycountymd.gov) or call 240-777-8300.
