Self-Defence: A Life Skill

This week I was talking through our Melbourne CBD streets and I couldn't help but notice the "missing" posters that adorned walls of a shop-front. These heart-wrenching posters showed the faces of missing people from all walks of life – children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. It really emphasised something I was telling a group of high school girls who participate in my program, that kidnapping does not discriminate by age.

Feeling safe and having personal safety is a fundamental human right regardless of age, walk of life, and these posters are a confronting reminder of the importance in equipping ourselves and our loved ones with the knowledge and skills to protect against unforeseen dangers.

Self-defence isn't just about physical techniques (i.e. being strong, being able to engage), it's also about confidence, awareness, and preparedness, and educating individuals on the tools to remove yourself from threating situations, and make smart choices.

From children walking home from school to older adults navigating the city, the need for personal safety is universal. As a community, it's our responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to the tools and knowledge to protect themselves.

It's a community effort

Safety is a shared responsibility and that although we're happy to now be out and about, we need to also ensure self-defence education in our communities is prioritised and accessible.

We must empower the younger generation with self-defence skills and foster a sense of responsibility among adults to look out for one another. By coming together and embracing the importance of personal safety, we can make our communities safer for everyone.

Consider enrolling in a self-defence program or encouraging your loved ones to do the same. Knowledge is power, and it can mean the difference between safety and vulnerability.