The Friday-night portion of the course deals with preventive strategies you can apply in your daily routine (traveling, coming to school or work, going out, being at home, etc.).
On Saturday morning, to get your blood flowing, the instructors put on their protective gear and let you practice self-defense techniques using full force. Releasing stress and anger never felt so good! In the afternoon, after a review of the techniques taught in the morning, one instructor puts on the “aggressor suit” and becomes the “attacker.” You also put on protective gear and experience simulated encounters to practice your newly acquired self-defence techniques under more realistic conditions. You can again hit hard, because the red suit protects the “attacker.”
Some participants have actually been victims of sexual assault, and going through the course, especially the simulated attacks, can bring back horrible memories. However, attending the course helps in the end. If you yourself have been sexually assaulted, we do encourage you to take part, emphasizing that our instructors are specially trained to show the empathy and sensitivity you need. They take the time to sit down with you and listen to your story. They can also direct you toward special campus services, such as counselling, designed to help you work through and manage all of the emotions caused by your ordeal. What's more, from our experience to date, the other course participants also display tremendous empathy and understanding in these circumstances.
