This month, Bellevue Police Department celebrates the second anniversary of its Women Empowered (WE) Self-Defense Workshop Series.
The Women Empowered program is the official self-defense program for women taught at Gracie University in Torrance, California and at more than 200 Certified Training Centers around the world. The program teaches techniques and principles that address 20 threat scenarios through a series of 15 different classes. It also provides a safe space to discuss some of the psychology of an assault, the phases of an assault, and how they may differ when the assault is committed by a stranger versus a friend or family member.
More than 2,000 women from across the Puget Sound region have participated in the WE Workshop since May 2022 – with some traveling as far as 60 miles to participate.
“Being the one of the few police departments in the world that is certified to offer regularly occurring workshops like this is a special thing for us.” said Bellevue PD Officer Craig Hanaumi – the creator the of BPD’s Women Empowered Series. “With lots of help from our colleagues and friends in our community, we believe that the caliber of instruction in our workshops meets the standards set at Gracie University’s for-profit schools, and we are proud to provide this to women for free.”
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), about one in six women in their lifetimes has been a victim of attempted or completed rape. Young women are especially at risk with about 82-percent of juvenile victims being female. About 90-percent of rape victims are female. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence also found that about one in three women – including about 41.4% of Washington women – experience some form of domestic violence from a partner or significant other.
No experience is required to participate as girls as young as eleven and women as old as 80 have participated. Only preregistration is required by emailing chanaumi@bellevuewa.gov to secure a space.
There are two more Workshop classes available for the remainder of May, and the Bellevue Police Department invites the media to attend this empowering program. Details for each event are as follows:
WHAT: Women Empowered Self-Defense Workshop
WHEN: 1:30-3:00p, May 19, 2024
WHERE: Bellevue City Hall (450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004)
WHAT: Women Empowered Self-Defense Workshop
WHEN: 1:30-3:00p, May 26, 2024
WHERE: Bellevue City Hall (450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004)
Below are some testimonials from participants of the Women Empowered Self-Defense Workshop Series:
“Officer Craig’s presentation and thinking style is what I think is most unique and the best feature. He presents in a way that is approachable, and it isn’t just “I tell you what to do, Steps 1-2-3. Go.” He presents a situation, asks for thoughts and ideas, inviting anyone, encouraging newbies, to try things. He reminds us every time how to practice safely, carefully, respectfully. Like how to make sure to tuck in your arm/hand so that practicing partners won’t get hurt, and shows how we should do it in real situation.
In a session last year, there were some domestic victims who participated and spoke at the end about past situations. It was heartbreaking to hear it. Made me realize how it’s a place of communication, respect. A safe place.
It grounded my rational fears of how one needs to stay alert and watch out for others. It weighs on me how important it is to have some basic skills, some knowledge of what to do. We get that fighting chance when we take the time to learn these tools, and for Bellevue to give us that opportunity is invaluable. I hope it continues indefinitely.” – Ching Fong, participant of the Women Empowered Self-Defense Workshop
“I’ve attended 3 self-defense classes. I am so grateful for them, first of all as a single mother, I have a tight budget so the fact that this class is free is incredibly helpful. I’ve always wanted to learn self-defense but could never afford it.
I have 7.5 years in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and while I lived on the street I let a lot of horrible things happen to me because I didn’t know how to defend myself. Although I’ve found recovery and I don’t put myself in those situation anymore, this world seems to keep getting more and more dangerous so it’s never too late and my daughter is watching. I’d like to raise her in this type of environment.
Thank you for allowing these classes to happen. I will continue to attend until the moves are second nature to me and I can teach my daughter.” – Robyn, participant of the Women Empowered Self-Defense Workshop
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