Violence against women is a severe universal problem. 1 in 3 women experiences physical and sexual violence in their lifetime globally. It is pervasive and familiar in Australia too. The United Nations definition of this extensive violence against women is "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

In Australia, violence against women and girls occurs in many different ways, including family, domestic and intimate partner violence, workplace sexual harassment and threats, harassment and sexual assault on the streets. Especially females aged 18 to 34 are significantly higher at risk of experiencing sexual assault. In many cases, the phycological effect and damage linger a lifetime, and even the physical injuries are healed.

In these circumstances, what would be better than getting familiar with a form of self-defence? The famous historian Wendy Rouse in her "The Origins of Women's Self-Défense Movement", states that self-defence training for women developed in the early twentieth century in the United States and the United Kingdom alongside feminism and women's rights to voting.

Self-defence training or personal safety course will empower women to handle threatening situations through knowledge, awareness and confidence with the idea that all women have the right and ability to defend and protect themselves.

Self-defence techniques and behaviour under the threat of violence are systematically taught in self-defence classes. Most attackers or criminals are not proficient in martial art. So that provides an advantage to women in a threatening situation. For instance, the technical stand-up in Jiu-Jitsu offers the means to escape an attacking opponent and move away. The aim is not to continue fighting but to defend and strike to safely flee or find help.

Self-defence training will benefit females not only in self-defend but also in self-discipline and make females physically fit, mentally strong and face the unexpected. So indeed, female self-defence knowledge for personal safety and security would be the best step toward eliminating violence against women.

With a style based on self-defence, at Sabu Karate, you will be able to learn the best of all traditional and modern karate of Japanese Shito Ryu. 

Register for a FREE introductory session of Adults Karate Classes Melbourne at Sabu Karate.