Our core curriculum is adaptable to a wide variety of students across age levels, backgrounds, and needs.
Empowerment Self Defense has been proven to be effective because it teaches us strategies to avoid violence altogether, rather than only reacting to it when it happens. Our curriculum uses the same approach as the program featured in the New England Journal of Medicine, which reduced assault rates by about half (“Efficacy of a Sexual Assault Resistance Program for University Women.” Charlene Y. Senn, et al. N Engl J Med 2015; 372:2326-2335 June 11, 2015).
We are part of a community that not only wants to prevent violence, but to help those who have experienced it. We believe that everyone is entitled to physical and emotional safety, and working towards a peaceful and respectful society is all of our responsibility.
Many of our workshops are designated as “all genders” but some are separated “women/girls” or “men/boys.” This is not because we believe there is an inherent gender difference but because we recognize that the world treats us differently based on gender categories. All of our workshops are open and welcoming to people who are trans, genderqueer, gender fluid, non-binary, gender creative, gender non-conforming, or any other gender designation that exists. Whoever you are and however you identify, pick the workshop that makes the most sense for you. You know your gender experience better than anyone else does.
Participants are required to fill out a standard Medical Waiver. You can download this form and complete it in advance.
In this workshop, students will learn verbal strategies to deal with situations of disrespect, harassment, and abuse that they face or witness others facing. Through discussions, role playing, and hands-on practice, we cover:
Here at Sun Dragon, we have been proudly fighting like girls since 1989! In this Personal Safety & Self Empowerment workshop, you will:
At Sun Dragon, we believe that everyone benefits from learning and practicing ways to handle safety and conflict situations in proactive ways. Why work with boys and men?
1. Violence and disrespect don’t happen in a vacuum; in order for things to change in our society, we need to involve everyone.
2. Men and boys experience sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and childhood sexual and physical abuse. They don’t have many supportive places to talk about that abuse.
3. Men and boys are pressured to resolve conflict by fighting. They are often taught that walking away means they are weak and not “real men.”
4. Gay men, trans & gender non-conforming people, men of color, men with disabilities, immigrant men, and others are targets of hate crime violence, harassment, and discrimination.
5. Men and boys are more likely to be perpetrators of sexual and partner violence. They face pressure to participate in gender-based violence or look the other way.
This workshop focuses on the nuances of gender-based violence from the perspective of men and boys, from the types of violence they face, to how they are discouraged from self-advocacy, compromise, and emotional communication. Through guided discussion, scenario-based role play, and physical practice, we cover:
In this workshop, students learn strategies to handle disrespect, harassment, and abuse that they face or witness others facing when it comes to identity-based violence (i.e. religion, gender, sexuality, race). Through active discussions, scenario role-playing, and hands-on practice, students are empowered with skills to maximize their personal safety. We cover:
Start the school year with skills for feeling safe and confident. These workshops are designed to empower kids and young adults to advocate for their needs and use boundary-setting techniques to avoid violence before it starts, particularly in a school setting. Through open discussion, guided activities, scenario-based role play, and physical practice, we cover:
In this workshop, we specifically practice skills for pre-schoolers entering a school environment. This helps them socialize with other children in new, stimulating environments while also learning how to work with adults that aren’t their parents. Through discussions, role playing, and hands-on practice, we cover:
