Class Descriptions

IMPACT has scholarships available for all classes and we also accept payment through the Massachusetts Victim’s Compensation program

To apply for a scholarship please visit the “Scholarship Opportunities ” page located at the bottom of the Public Classes menu. 

To pay through Victim’s Compensation please email us at: registration@impactboston.org

Class dates and times can be found on our “In-Person Class Schedule” page in the “Public Classes” menu. To be notified of new classes and when registration opens, please click here.

In-Person Classes:

Courses for ages 16 and up:

Women’s Core Program

This 20-hour weekend course is our most comprehensive self-defense course for women (cis & trans welcome), teen girls ages 16+, and nonbinary folks who would be comfortable in a women’s class. In a supportive, trauma-informed environment, students develop physical and verbal skills to resist threats, intimidation, and violence perpetrated by both strangers and familiar people. Scenarios students learn to defend themselves against include front confrontations, attacks from behind, attempted sexual assault, and ground fighting. The lead instructors of this class identify as women.

Women of Color Core Program

This 20-hour weekend course is specifically designed for women of color (cis & trans welcome), teen girls of color ages 16+, and nonbinary folks of color who would be comfortable in a women’s class. In a supportive, trauma-informed environment, students develop physical and verbal skills to resist threats, intimidation, violence and acts of discrimination perpetrated by both strangers and familiar people. Scenarios students learn to defend themselves against include front confrontations, verbal assault/harassment, attacks from behind, attempted sexual assaults, and ground fighting. This class also addresses harm reduction strategies in response to state violence. The lead instructors of this class identify as women of color.

All Gender LGBTQ Core Program

This 20-hour weekend course is specifically designed for people of all genders who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, genderqueer, questioning, or who otherwise identify as part of the LGBTQ community and are 16 or older. In a supportive, trauma-informed environment, students develop physical and verbal skills to resist threats, intimidation, and violence perpetrated by both strangers and familiar people. Scenarios students learn to defend themselves against include front confrontations, attacks from behind, attempted sexual assault, and ground fighting. Taught by instructors familiar with the LGBTQ community and LGBTQ violence prevention, this course offers scenarios that address the specific ways in which LGBTQ individuals are intimidated and attacked.

Men’s Core Program

This 20-hour weekend course is our most comprehensive self-defense course for men and teen boys ages 16+. In a trauma-informed, non-competitive environment, students learn to resist threats, intimidation and violence perpetrated by strangers and familiar people. The course focuses on responding effectively to the most common ways men are threatened and attacked, with an emphasis on conflict de-escalation, self control, situation based safety decision making, and understanding the difference between appropriate and inappropriate violence.

[Note: We are not currently running Men’s Core classes. If you are interested in hearing from us when Men’s Core becomes a course we are offering again, please reach out at info@impactboston.org]

Women’s 10-Hour

This 10-hour weekend course is for women (cis & trans welcome), teen girls ages 16+, and nonbinary folks who would be comfortable in a women’s class. In a supportive, trauma-informed environment, students develop physical and verbal skills to resist threats, intimidation, and violence perpetrated by both strangers and familiar people. Scenarios students learn to defend themselves against include front confrontations, attacks from behind, and ground fighting. Unlike our 20-hour course for women (Women’s Core), this class does not include sexual assault scenarios, though the techniques students will learn are applicable to a variety of self-defense situations.

Assertiveness & Boundary Setting

Many people find that the ability to set and maintain boundaries greatly enhances their sense of safety. In this 8-hour all-verbal course, students of all genders ages 14+ practice skills for effective communication and negotiation in stressful situations. They learn strategies for assessing when to set a boundary and how to do so assertively and effectively. Students practice these skills in realistic scenarios involving strangers, co-workers, acquaintances, friends, family and partners.

Bystander Intervention

Many of us are concerned about the violence, harassment, and harm we see being inflicted on other people, but we may lack the skills or confidence to intervene. Our bystander intervention workshops give students the tools to step in when they witness problematic behavior—whether it’s a situation that is volatile and potentially dangerous, or just a situation where some community solidarity is needed. Skills include how to assess risk, how to strategize and intervene on someone else’s behalf, how to defend oneself physically and verbally, and how to manage your own stress response so you can stay in control.

Courses for Trauma Survivors:

Introduction to IMPACT for Trauma Survivors

This 6-hour class is designed for survivors of trauma of all genders ages 14+ who are interested in taking an IMPACT class. This is a good option for those who are not sure which class best suits their needs; those who would like to take a class that moves through the material at a slower pace, allowing students to learn self-defense at a pace that fits their needs; or those who would like to establish a foundation in IMPACT skills before jumping into a longer class. This course introduces students to IMPACT principles and basic techniques, while helping students manage their adrenaline through breathing and body awareness exercises.

Take Your Power

Take Your Power is designed specifically to address the long-term effects of abuse on intimate relationships and sexual health. Take Your Power combines IMPACT’s physical and verbal safety skills with a unique curriculum focused on healthy relationships and negotiation skills, healthy sexuality, and HIV/STD risk reduction.

[Note: We are not currently running Take Your Power. If you are interested in hearing from us when Take Your Power becomes a course we are offering again, please reach out at info@impactboston.org]

Courses for Children and Teens:

Kidsafe (ages 7-9, all genders)

In this course, children are taught to call attention to threatening situations, distinguish between safe and unsafe adults, and ask a trusted adult for help. In a fun, trauma-informed environment, students learn physical and verbal skills to respond to unsafe strangers and familiar people. Scenarios students practice include lures from a stranger, being grabbed by a stranger or unsafe familiar person, unsafe touch from an adult or older child, and bullying.

Middle School Safety (ages 10-13, all genders)

This course helps students develop the skills to respond to potentially dangerous situations. Students learn to avoid altercations, resist intimidation, assert themselves in the face of peer pressure and escape potential assaults. They are also taught how to report dangerous situations to a safe adult. Scenarios focus on issues relevant to their lives such as bullying, dating situations, and increasing independence, as well as violence perpetrated by strangers.

Young Teen IMPACT (girls, nonbinary & LGBTQ youth ages 13-15)

In this 8-hour course, students learn self-defense strategies for threatening situations with strangers, as well as how to keep themselves safe around peers and familiar adults who may be unsafe. In a supportive, trauma-informed environment, students develop physical and verbal skills to resist threats, intimidation, and violence perpetrated by both strangers and familiar people. This course also emphasizes the importance of assertiveness and boundary setting to ensure safety and comfort among friends and dating partners. Upon completion of the course, students will know how to use their body to defend themselves, be able to recognize red flags, be able to assertively communicate when they feel uncomfortable, and have a clearer understanding of what they want and deserve from relationships.

Teen & Young Adult IMPACT (girls, nonbinary & LGBTQ youth ages 16-22)

In this 12-hour course, teens and young adults learn skills to help navigate increasing independence. In a supportive, trauma-informed environment, students develop physical and verbal skills to respond to a number of threatening situations as well as strategies to stop attempted sexual assaults. In addition to practicing physical scenarios, they also learn about assertive communication, how to safely intervene when a friend is at risk, and how to recognize unhealthy relationships. This course emphasizes the importance of assertiveness and boundary setting to ensure safety and comfort among friends and dating partners, as well the ways our gender socialization can put us more at risk. Upon completion of the course, students will know how to use their body to defend themselves, be able to recognize red flags, know how to assertively communicate when they feel uncomfortable, and have a clearer understanding of what they want and deserve from relationships.

Teen Boys (boys ages 14-18)

In this 5-hour course students, will learn basic verbal and physical self-defense skills, including front confrontations and attacks from behind, as well as  skills to de-escalate conflicts, avoid being drawn into fights, and to speak up and intervene when someone else’s safety is at risk.

[Note: We are not currently running Teen Boys. If you are interested in hearing from us when Teen Boys becomes a course we are offering again, please reach out at info@impactboston.org]

Advanced Classes:

*Must be a graduate of a Core Program to register

[Note: We are not currently running our advanced classes. If you are interested in hearing from us when we are running them again, please reach out at info@impactboston.org]

Defense Against Firearms

This updated advanced course teaches strategies for the unarmed person to disarm a potential assailant who is carrying a pistol or rifle. The course combines practical physical skills with a basic overview of how firearms work.

Defense Against Knives & Edged Weapons

This updated advanced course presents students with practical skills for protecting themselves against assailants that are armed with knives or other edged weapons. Strategies for creating physical distance are addressed as well as an overview of the most common crimes committed with edged weapons in our region.