When it comes to personal safety and self-defense, one of the most dangerous assumptions is that a single system or discipline holds the ultimate solution for every violent encounter. The truth is, violence is unpredictable, multifaceted, and ever-evolving.
No single method can effectively prepare someone for all possible threats. That’s why our approach to violence prevention and self-defense is built on decades of research, incorporating knowledge from multiple specialized disciplines rather than relying on a singular source.
The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Solutions
Traditional self-defense systems often claim to offer universal solutions—techniques that will supposedly work in any scenario. However, these methods are typically developed within a specific framework, whether it be martial arts, law enforcement, military tactics, or psychology. Each discipline views violence through its own lens, and while their insights are valuable, they are also limited by the experiences of those within that field.
For example, a combat sports athlete may focus on techniques that work in a controlled environment with rules, while a law enforcement officer might rely on methods designed for use with backup and legal authority. These approaches may not always translate effectively to real-life encounters for the average person facing an unprovoked attack. The best solutions come from integrating specialized knowledge from multiple fields, ensuring that the information is practical, adaptable, and effective for individuals of all skill levels.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding Violence
Over the past 30 years, we have researched, tested, and refined concepts from a wide range of sources, including:
Corrections Officers – Firsthand experience in managing violent offenders in confined environments.
Private Security & Executive Protection – Strategies for threat assessment, avoidance, and de-escalation.
Intelligence Agencies – Behavioral analysis and situational awareness techniques.
Military & Law Enforcement – Defensive tactics, force-on-force training, and real-world application.
Combat Sports – The effectiveness of trained resistance under pressure.
Criminal Psychology & the Underworld – Understanding how criminals think, plan, and execute attacks.
By combining these perspectives, we have built a comprehensive system based on what actually works—not just in theory, but in real-world situations.
Data-Driven Strategies for Personal Safety
Our approach is rooted in extensive research, including crime statistics, real-life attack patterns, and survivor accounts. Rather than relying on anecdotal evidence or tradition, we analyze how criminals operate, the tactics they use, and how victims successfully (or unsuccessfully) respond. This research allows us to develop training that is realistic, applicable, and effective under stress.
Some key insights from our research include:
Criminals follow patterns—understanding these patterns allows individuals to anticipate and disrupt them.
The best self-defense techniques must be simple, effective, and retainable under extreme duress.
Situational awareness and preemptive action often prevent violence better than physical techniques alone.
Power imbalances are common in real-life attacks, so strategies must work even when the defender is at a disadvantage.
Practical, Retainable, and Effective Under Stress
One of the biggest challenges in self-defense is that under stress, fine motor skills deteriorate, and complex techniques become difficult to recall. That’s why the principles we teach must be:
Easily learned – Practical for people of all experience levels.
Quickly recalled – Techniques must be instinctive under pressure.
Effective in real life – Proven to work against real-world threats.
Our goal is not just to teach people how to fight, but to empower them with the knowledge and skills to prevent, avoid, and, if necessary, survive a violent encounter.
Violence is complex, and so are the solutions needed to counter it. By drawing from multiple disciplines, real-world data, and evidence-based strategies, we provide a holistic approach that prepares individuals for the realities of personal safety. Whether you are a civilian, a security professional, or someone simply looking to take control of your own safety, the key is to rely on practical, adaptable, and proven methods—not outdated traditions or one-size-fits-all solutions.
Real-world violence requires real-world solutions. The more we understand about how violence occurs, the better equipped we are to prevent it and respond effectively when necessary.
Online Violence Prevention and Self Defense Training Brought To You By Generous Supporters
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our mission is to prevent violence by building skills and inspiring individuals to be agents of personal, community & cultural change.
The Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense (CVPSD) offers a variety of public training programs designed to empower individuals with practical self-defense skills and violence prevention strategies. These classes are open to anyone looking to improve their personal safety, ranging from beginners to those with prior experience. The courses focus on a holistic approach to self-defense, covering essential topics like verbal de-escalation, situational awareness, and setting boundaries, alongside physical defense techniques.