Self-Defense

Want a quick summary of the research on self-defense training? See my Frequently Asked Questions About Empowerment Self-Defense.
I teach empowerment self-defense classes at the University of Oregon. Learn more about our classes here.
Research on Self-Defense Training:

“Unsettling Gender: Empowerment Self-Defense Training and Interactional Expectations.” Revue des Sciences Sociales 65:56-65 (2021).

Empowerment Self-Defense Training in a Community Population.” (with Jeanine Cunningham) Psychology of Women Quarterly 44(2):187-202 (2020).

Empowerment Self-Defense.” In Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and Resistance: Theory, Research and Practice, edited by Lindsay M. Orchowski and Christine A. Gidycz. Elsevier (2018).

What Works? Critical Components of Effective Sexual Violence Interventions for Women on College and University Campuses.” (with Charlene Y. Senn and Christine A. Gidycz) In Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and Resistance: Theory, Research and Practice, edited by Lindsay M. Orchowski and Christine A. Gidycz. Elsevier (2018).

Women’s Self-Defense Training and Sexual Assault Resistance: The State of the Field.” Sociology Compass 12(8):e12597 (2018)

The Importance of Self-Defense Training for Sexual Violence Prevention.” Feminism & Psychology 26(2): 207-226 (2016).

Outlaw Emotions: Gender, Emotion, and Transformation in Women’s Self-Defence Training.” Pp. 187–203 in Global Perspectives on Women in Combat Sports: Women Warriors Around the World, edited by Alex Channon and Christopher R. Matthews. Palgrave Macmillan (2015).

Constructing Victims: The Erasure of Women’s Resistance to Sexual Assault.” (with Katie Rodgers) Sociological Forum 29(2):342-364 (2014).

Does Self-Defense Training Prevent Sexual Violence Against Women?Violence Against Women 20(3):252-269 (2014).

Why Do Women Take Self-Defense Classes?Violence Against Women 16(4):459-478 (2010).

The Roots of Resistance to Women’s Self-Defense.” Violence Against Women 15(4):574–594 (2009).

“‘I Can Take Care of Myself’: The Impact of Self-Defense Training on Women’s Lives.” Violence Against Women 10: 205–235 (2004).