OVERVIEW

 

This self-defence programme was designed to strengthen participants’ confidence, situational awareness and ability to apply rapid, effective strategies during a threat.  Many participants arrived with low to moderate confidence levels, particularly around walking alone at night and responding to unexpected physical contact.

 

Pre- and post-session surveys showed that even a single training session can create significant, measurable improvements in personal safety, empowerment, and emotional well-being.

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OBJECTIVES

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• Increase confidence in personal protection

• Improve assertive body language and presence

• Teach simple physical techniques usable in real-world scenarios

• Build a safe, positive learning environment for skill acquisition

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METHODDOLOGY

 

The programme was delivered through:

• Live demonstrations

• Guided individual practice

• Scenario-based drills

• Voice and body-language training

 

The emphasis was on simplicity, effectiveness and building a sense of capability - not strength or aggression. Participants were assessed before and after the session using numerical confidence scales and practical capability questions.​

 

KEY OUTCOMES

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1. Significant Rise in Personal Safety Confidence

 

Across the group, participants reported substantial improvement in their self-protection capability.

 

• Confidence in the ability to protect themselves increased by an estimated 40–60%.

• Confidence in using body language and presence increased by approximately 50%.

 

Participants described feeling “more prepared,” “less likely to freeze,” and “more able to handle themselves if threatened.”

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2. Increased Feelings of Safety in Everyday Situations

 

One of the strongest improvements was in how safe participants felt when walking alone at night.

 

• Around 70% of participants reported feeling notably safer after the session.

 

This shift reflects both the technical skills learned and the increased sense of agency created through practice.

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3. Universal Acquisition of Core Physical and Non-Physical Skills

 

Post-session responses indicated:

 

• 100% of participants reported knowing how to break free from a wrist or forearm grab

• 100% said they now knew how to identify vulnerable points on an attacker

• 100% felt confident using their voice as an early-stage deterrent

• 100% said they could project more confident body language to reduce perceived vulnerability

 

These unanimous outcomes highlight the accessibility and practicality of the techniques taught.​

 

4. Strong Participant Engagement and Satisfaction

 

Feedback themes included:

• High enjoyment levels: “friendly”, “fun”, “engaging”

• Practical relevance: “great to learn new skills”, “valuable in real life”

• Many participants expressed a desire for a longer session or additional workshops, highlighting both engagement and perceived value

• 100% of participants said they would recommend the session to a friend.

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PARTICIPANT REFLECTIONS

 

“It was a friendly space to learn.”

“I feel safer walking home now.”

“I enjoyed learning practical skills I can use immediately.”

“Empowering, fun, and confidence-building.”​

 

COMCLUSION

 

The session strengthened women's confidence, safety awareness and a sense of empowerment. Participants left not only with practical skills but with a renewed belief in their own capability. 

 

This case study demonstrates that even a short, accessible training session can deliver measurable impact and help women feel safer, more resilient, and more empowered in their daily lives.