RT Article
T1 “Don’t Ever Give Up!” Resisting Victimhood Through Self-Defense
JF Journal of interpersonal violence
VO 36
IS 3/4
A1 Jordan, Jan
A2 Mossman, Elaine
LA English
YR 2021
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1749046857
AB Whether or not women should physically resist a male attacker has been a long-contested issue. This article enters this debate drawing on findings from an evaluation of a feminist self-defense course. It locates these data within a broader historical context to question dominant discourses around ideal femininity and explore the potential for empowerment such courses can offer, particularly for women deemed at high risk. It draws on qualitative data from interviews with course participants (n = 15), community stakeholders (n = 15), and self-defense instructors (n = 7), as well as quantitative data from pre–post course evaluations (n = 115). Findings are presented to demonstrate how participants and stakeholders from a diverse range of women’s groups experienced the program. Evidence is presented that the participation not only resulted in increased self-defense skills but importantly also the confidence and attitude to put these skills into action, if required. Factors identified as critical to the success of these courses are explored, and the implications are assessed in relation to both prevention and empowerment.
K1 support seeking
K1 Sexual Assault
K1 Self-defense
K1 adult victims
K1 Domestic Violence
DO 10.1177/0886260517744760