Our team has been offering comprehensive and dynamic women’s self-defense classes for over ten years. We share a close tie with our sister organization, ThinkSafe Self-Defense, which is a program founded by David Quinlan, owner and director of Martial Way Self-Defense Center of Milton and Colchester, Vermont. Sensei Quinlan holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in Kempo-Jitsu, a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Arnis, as well as a Black Belt in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is also an instructor in Wing Chun. Sensei Quinlan can be reached via email, info@martialwayvt.com.
The Formation of The Safety Team
All the members of The Safety Team have been training for many years at Martial Way Self-Defense Center and are highly skilled martial artists in a number of different styles. We all have participated in the ThinkSafe Self-Defense Program, first as students, later as instructors, and ultimately as “safety team” members who share a passion for the mission of enhancing the safety, empowerment resiliency, and well-being of women.
We continue to update our women’s self-defense curriculum based upon our varied professional experience in fields related to violence against women (psychology, law enforcement, education, forensic chemistry, and forensic toxicology) and based upon the experiences and feedback from the women who participate in our workshops. As such, we have taken the Safety Team’s women’s self-defense program even further in addressing the broad needs of women. Of course, as women (and mothers of daughters), we are intimately aware of the dangers presented to women. Please see “Our Team” page to learn more about our safety team members.
We believe that we offer a special program, not just because of our extensive martial arts training, but also because we are acutely aware of the sensitive nature of this topic as well as the impact of trauma on women’s emotional health. As you know, a percentage of women who enroll in self defense courses have already been assaulted or abused in some way. Our team is very aware of how this impacts women, and how it may affect their experience in taking a self defense course. We pay special attention to the needs of each participant so as not to inadvertently trigger the traumatic response, but rather to promote healing and feelings of mastery.
Our goal is to enhance each woman’s sense of empowerment, as well as her ability to keep herself safe. We welcome inquiries and can be reached by emailing Christine@TheSafetyTeam.org
The Safety Team, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Vermont dedicated to enhancing the well-being, safety, resiliency, and empowerment of women. Help support our programs!