Instructors at self-defence training centres across London have seen an increase in women joining their classes following highly publicised instances of violence against women circulating in the media.
An increase in collective awareness of the issue and more women speaking openly about violence has caused the spike in interest, according to head instructor at Peckham Krav Maga Vincent Lessore:
“The awareness has always been in the background, but it’s only in the last five to ten years that it’s become an open discussion about the violence existing.”
More women are participating in self-defence classes across London
Head instructor at London Self Defence Academy Ondrej Matej has noticed that attendance at his classes correlates with high-profile cases of violence against women:
“There were two spikes [in attendance] and both of them were linked to the media events.”
Taking the onus away from women
Higher class numbers may benefit leading self-defence classes, but anti-sexual harassment campaign Our Streets Now says that the trend is concerning.
“This seems to reflect the victim-blaming messages in our society, those narratives which continue to place the onus on women to change their behaviour rather than on perpetrators to stop being violent.”
The campaign suggests that self-defence classes are not the solution to tackling violence against women.
“[It] reinforce[s] the urgent need for a whole-system approach to tackling public sexual harassment, one which tackles the issue across schools, higher education, the legal system and the transport sector.”
‘It’s a good way to release energy on the weekends’
Women may be flocking to self-defence classes, but learning how to ward off danger isn’t the only factor drawing people in.
Kate Cornell attends weekly self-defence classes at London Bridge, and she has found the sessions to be great ways to de-stress.
“It’s quite a good outlet when you have a lot on. I’ve just started quite an intense course at uni so it’s a good way to release energy on the weekends.”
Kate Cornell uses self-defence as a way to release energy at the weekends, but says women shouldn’t be expected to learn those skills to stay safe.
The 25-year-old also highlighted that while she feels safer knowing self-defence, she doesn’t feel that it is her responsibility to stay out of harm’s way.
“I think it’s just the culture of victim blaming that puts the onus on the victim. It’s always good to have those self-defence skills, but it shouldn’t be that we all need to learn them to keep ourselves safe.”
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HeadlineSurge in women taking self-defence classes across London
Short HeadlineSelf-defence classes boom across London
StandfirstIncreased awareness of violence against women in London has prompted a surge in self-defence class attendance.
Instructors at self-defence training centres across London have seen an increase in women joining their classes following highly publicised instances of violence against women circulating in the media.
An increase in collective awareness of the issue and more women speaking openly about violence has caused the spike in interest, according to head instructor at Peckham Krav Maga Vincent Lessore:
“The awareness has always been in the background, but it’s only in the last five to ten years that it’s become an open discussion about the violence existing.”
More women are participating in self-defence classes across London
Head instructor at London Self Defence Academy Ondrej Matej has noticed that attendance at his classes correlates with high-profile cases of violence against women:
“There were two spikes [in attendance] and both of them were linked to the media events.”
Taking the onus away from women
Higher class numbers may benefit leading self-defence classes, but anti-sexual harassment campaign Our Streets Now says that the trend is concerning.
“This seems to reflect the victim-blaming messages in our society, those narratives which continue to place the onus on women to change their behaviour rather than on perpetrators to stop being violent.”
The campaign suggests that self-defence classes are not the solution to tackling violence against women.
“[It] reinforce[s] the urgent need for a whole-system approach to tackling public sexual harassment, one which tackles the issue across schools, higher education, the legal system and the transport sector.”
‘It’s a good way to release energy on the weekends’
Women may be flocking to self-defence classes, but learning how to ward off danger isn’t the only factor drawing people in.
Kate Cornell attends weekly self-defence classes at London Bridge, and she has found the sessions to be great ways to de-stress.
“It’s quite a good outlet when you have a lot on. I’ve just started quite an intense course at uni so it’s a good way to release energy on the weekends.”
Kate Cornell uses self-defence as a way to release energy at the weekends, but says women shouldn’t be expected to learn those skills to stay safe.
The 25-year-old also highlighted that while she feels safer knowing self-defence, she doesn’t feel that it is her responsibility to stay out of harm’s way.
“I think it’s just the culture of victim blaming that puts the onus on the victim. It’s always good to have those self-defence skills, but it shouldn’t be that we all need to learn them to keep ourselves safe.”
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