In-Person Classes
IMPACT’s commitment to personal and community safety is more vital now than ever — whether it’s responding to the current political climate or the enduring epidemic of abuse, violence and harm. We welcome anyone who is feeling unsafe right now to join us for a free community self-defense workshop, or sign up for one of our longer classes. All classes teach physical and verbal strategies for responding to threats, intimidation and violence.
Classes are taught by a team of two instructors— one teaches self-defense skills, the other takes on the role of an aggressor. This instructor wears a full suit of protective body armor so you can safely practice the skills you learn. People learn to swim by getting in the water. Self-defense is similar– the best way to learn is to get up and practice.
IMPACT’s approach to self-defense is trauma-informed, social-justice-oriented and designed to teach practical safety skills in a way that challenges victim-blame.
IMPACT has scholarships available for all classes and we also accept payment through the Massachusetts Victim’s Compensation program. To learn more about Victim’s Compensation benefits, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-victims-of-violent-crime-compensation
To apply for a scholarship please visit the “Scholarship Opportunities” page located at the bottom of the Public Classes menu or click here.
To pay through Victim’s Compensation please email us at: classes@impactboston.org
Classes are listed chronologically. To be notified of new classes, dates and when registration opens, please click here.
Women of Color Core Self-Defense Program
20-hour class, cis & trans women/teens of color and nonbinary folks of color who would be comfortable in a women’s class, ages 16+
(Please contact us at info@impactboston.org if you’d like to register someone outside this age range)
Cost: Sliding Scale/pay what you can from $50-$450.
*Full scholarships also available. Email classes@impactboston.org to receive an application or download one from our website.
This 20-hour weekend course is specifically designed for women and teen girls of color and nonbinary folks of color who would be comfortable in a women’s class, ages 16+. Students develop physical and verbal skills to resist threats, intimidation, violence and acts of discrimination perpetrated by both strangers and familiar people. In a supportive, trauma-informed environment, students learn assertive boundary setting techniques and physical skills to defend and fight back against various threatening situations, including 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.
Dates: This is an intensive course over a weekend, starting on Friday night. Class meets the following days/times:
Friday, 5/15, 6pm-9pm
Saturday, 5/16, 10am-7pm
Sunday, 5/17, 10:30am-6:30pm
Students must attend all sessions
Location: Boston, MA
Middle School Safety
7-hour class, all genders, ages 10-13
(Please contact us at info@impactboston.org if you’d like to register someone outside this age range)
Course Fee: $150.
*Full and partial scholarships also available. Email classes@impactboston.org to receive an application or download one from our website.
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.
Date: 6/6/26 10am-5pm
Location: Brighton, MA
KidSafe
1-day class, all genders, grades 3-5
(Please contact us at info@impactboston.org if you would like to register someone outside this age range.)
Course Fee*: $150
*Full and partial scholarships available. Email classes@impactboston.org to receive an application or download one from our website.
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.
Date: Coming this summer
Teen & Young Adult Self-Defense
2-day class for girls, nonbinary & LGBTQ youth ages 16-22
(Please contact us at info@impactboston.org if you would like to register someone outside this age range.)
Course Fee*: $250
*Full and partial scholarships available. Email classes@impactboston.org to receive an application or download one from our website.
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.
8/1 11am-5pm
8/2 1:30pm-7:30pm
Must attend both sessions
Location: Presentation School Foundation Community Center, Brighton, MA