In Ohio, nearly 4 in 10 women have experienced intimate partner physical violence. That number rises even higher for Women of Color.
Yet too often, the tools meant to keep women safe are built without us in mind.
At IMPACT Safety, we’re changing that. In partnership with ESD Global, we launched We Are Worth Defending—a trauma-informed, culturally rooted Empowerment Self-Defense program taught by and for Women of Color.
This isn’t just a class. It’s a long-overdue shift in who gets access to power.
The Reality We’re Up Against
Black and Brown women face higher rates of physical violence, verbal harassment, and systemic neglect when it comes to safety resources. Even when programs do exist, they’re rarely trauma-informed or culturally responsive.
And that’s a problem. Because the most dangerous encounters aren’t always with strangers. They’re with people we know—and care about.
“We’re teaching boundary setting with strangers and people you love,” says instructor Dez Schallenberg.
“And that’s often much harder than with strangers.”
How the Program Works
We Are Worth Defending doesn’t just teach punches and kicks. It teaches women how to:
Speak up early and clearly
Recognize red flags and freeze responses
Navigate conflict with loved ones without losing themselves
Rebuild confidence and community after trauma
“I can’t tell you how good it feels to be in community with other women that are like me,” says Venica Miller, a program graduate and the current program manager.
What Comes Next
The program is growing—and evolving. Future cohorts will include even more intersectional approaches that center disability, queerness, and neurodivergence alongside race and gender.
The goal? To make this work more accessible, adaptable, and unapologetically powerful.
Want to Get Involved?
📝 Join the Movement
Be the first to hear about upcoming trainings by signing up for our newsletter.
📍 Host a Workshop
Have a space or community that would benefit from this program? Reach out through our contact form to bring it to your area.
🤝 Support the Work
If you believe that Women of Color deserve tools that truly reflect their lives, donate, volunteer, or spread the word.
Because we are worth defending. All of us. Without exception.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Violence against Women of Color is disproportionately high
Most traditional self-defense programs don’t address cultural or emotional context
Boundary-setting—especially with loved ones—is a critical skill
We Are Worth Defending is building a new model for safety: intersectional, trauma-informed, and community-rooted
💬 Have questions or want to bring a workshop to your community?
We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a message and someone from our team will be in touch soon.