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Empowerment Self-defense

U-M students, faculty and staff are invited to take control of their personal safety by learning physical and verbal strategies to counter violence through our empowerment self-defense workshops.

A photo of two people demonstrating self-defense moves.

About Empowerment Self-defense

The workshops, led by Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention (SHARP) and Gracie Survival Tactics Level 1-certified instructors, aim to teach participants situational awareness and prevention skills to leave them better equipped to deal with everything from harassment to potentially violent people to sexual assault. Participants will take part in verbal exercises, physical drills and discussion.

DPSS regularly provides group presentations free of charge to students, faculty and staff on a variety of safety and well-being issues, including empowerment and self-defense.

Request Training

Upcoming Classes

Kinesiology Building, Room 4600 (Registration required, $35 fee)

  • Thursday, September 24, 5:30-7:30
  • Monday, November 9, 5:30-7:30

Public Safety Building, 1239 Kipke, Ann Arbor MI 48109 (Second Floor Conference Room) (free)

  • Tuesday, October 27th, 5pm-6:30pm - Pepper Spray & Self Defense
  • Tuesday, November 17th, 6pm-7:30pm - Self Defense
  • Tuesday, December 8th, 5:30pm-7:30pm - Striking Drills with Pads

Empowerment Self-defense FAQs

Why should I take an empowerment self-defense workshop?
  • Improve your situational awareness skills
  • Identify threatening situations
  • Learn physical and verbal strategies to counter violence
  • Build Self-Confidence
  • Develop decision-making skills
What types of workshops are available?

There are several different workshops that are offered through our Empowerment Self-defense program, such as:

  • Self Defense - physical
  • Aerobic Boxing - physical
  • Pressure Point - physical
  • Striking Drills with pads - physical
  • Pepper Spray - lecture & physical
  • Personal Safety - lecture
  • Assertiveness - lecture
How can I sign up for a workshop?

Students can sign up for workshops through Sessions @ Michigan.

What does a typical schedule look like?

Winter Semester

  • Monday, January 29, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Self-defense
  • Thursday, February 8, 5:00m.- 6:30 p.m. Aerobic Boxing
  • Wednesday, February 14, 3:30 p.m.- 5 p.m. Self-defense
  • Wednesday, March 6, 6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Pressure Points
  • Monday, March 18, 4:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. Ground Defense
  • Tuesday, April 9, 5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. Boxing w/strike pads
  • Thursday, April 18, 5:30 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Pressure Points
  • Wednesday, January 28, 2024 - 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 21st, 2024 - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Please continue to check this site for an updated schedule of workshops.