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 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.
LGBTQ 9-Hour Self-Defense Program
9-hour, 3-session class, open to folks of all genders who identify as LGBTQ+, ages 16+
(Please contact us at info@impactboston.org if you’d like to register someone outside this age range)
Cost*: $200
*Full and partial scholarships also available. Email classes@impactboston.org to receive an application or download one from our website.
This 9-hour, 3-session course is specifically designed for people of all genders who 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. Self-defense scenarios include front confrontations, attacks from behind, sexual assault scenarios, and staying calm and safe when targeted with hate speech. Taught by instructors familiar with the LGBTQ+ community and LGBTQ+ violence prevention, this course offers practical skills to fight back against the specific ways in which LGBTQ individuals are targeted for violence as well as assertive communication skills that can be used in many life circumstances.
Dates: Class meets on the following 3 consecutive Thursdays from 6-9pm: 2/5, 2/12, 2/19
Students must attend all sessions
Location: Brighton, MA
Community Self-Defense Workshop
2-hour class, all genders 14+
(Please contact us at info@impactboston.org if you’d like to register someone outside this age range)
Cost: FREE. Donations welcome. All donations will support future free programs.
This workshop is for people of all genders ages 14+. In a supportive, trauma-informed environment, students develop physical and verbal skills to resist threats, intimidation, and violence perpetrated by strangers. The assertive communication skills taught are relevant to many situations beyond the self-defense scenarios the students will practice.
Date: Saturday, 2/7, 2-4pm
Location: Brighton, MA
Introduction to IMPACT for Trauma Survivors
6-hour class, all genders ages 14+
(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 available. Email classes@impactboston.org to receive an application or download one from our website.
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, 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.
Date: Sunday, 3/8, 11:30am-5:30pm
Location: Boston, MA
Women’s Core Self-Defense Program
20-hour class, cis & trans women/teens and nonbinary folks 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 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.
Dates: This is an intensive course over a weekend, starting on Friday night. Class meets the following days/times:
Friday, 3/20, 6pm-9pm
Saturday, 3/21,10am-7pm
Sunday, 3/22, 10:30am-6:30pm
Students must attend all sessions
Location: Boston, MA
Community Self-Defense Workshop
2-hour class, all genders 14+
(Please contact us at info@impactboston.org if you’d like to register someone outside this age range)
Cost: FREE. Donations welcome. All donations will support future free programs.
This workshop is for people of all genders ages 14+. In a supportive, trauma-informed environment, students develop physical and verbal skills to resist threats, intimidation, and violence perpetrated by strangers. The assertive communication skills taught are relevant to many situations beyond the self-defense scenarios the students will practice.
Date: Thursday, 4/2, 6-8pm
Location: Boston, MA
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