Many wonderful things come about through a combination of coincidence, collaboration, passion, and hard work. The Safety Team is one of those.

All founding members of The Safety Team were fortunate to meet through their martial arts training at the Martial Way Self Defense Center in Vermont. By day, members were engaged in diverse professional careers related to violence against women (see our team page). But it was at this dojo that team members learned and practiced self-defense techniques (kempo-jujitsu karate). Each founding member has an extensive martial arts background, and as such, has personally experienced the mind-body benefits of  ‘movement’ and how empowerment self-defense can foster a sense of confidence, power, self-efficacy, and well-being.

Together, founding team members used their professional expertise in psychology, education, physical therapy, forensic toxicology, law enforcement and community collaboration to develop a cutting edge, evidenced-based, trauma informed, empowerment self-defense program. This unique program also capitalized on the best of what members had learned in the dojo paired with extensive research in the field.  In addition, our team values the voices of women and has incorporated input from participants along the way. Our current programs are the result of persistent, dedicated effort, and we revise each program as needed.

The Safety Team has grown tremendously over the years; we have offered trainings on college campus, in corporate settings, at community centers, and in middle and high schools.  We recently developed an innovative, integrated mind-body trauma recovery program for survivors of interpersonal violence designed to promote healing. In addition, our team has grown to include numerous volunteers, interns, and leaders in training, and we have been featured on several podcasts and news stories.

We love our work on the Safety Team, and look forward to seeing what the next chapter of our history brings.