divas in defense | Divas In Defense®

Women Rule The World

This year has gone by crazy-fast. Wasn’t it just yesterday that we welcomed the year 2014, yet it’s already halfway over? Quite a few newsworthy events happened recently, putting the spotlight on women and female empowerment. First, on May 23, our country was shocked by the actions of a young man, who will remain unnamed. The gunman opened fire in the Delta Delta Delta sorority house at University of California, Santa Barbara killing two innocent women. After writing a lengthy manifesto and posting misogynistic rants on his YouTube channel, he made it clear that the rejection he faced from women over the years angered him. This man targeted women simply because they were women.

In light of the shooting there’s much controversy surrounding the winner of this year’s Miss U.S.A pageant. Miss Nevada, Nia Sanchez, was asked why college campuses are so eager to dismiss reports of sexual assaults that occur under their watchful eye. In response, Sanchez stated that women should learn to defend themselves. Reasonable response, right? Many people are attacking her response, however, because it is believed that we shouldn’t blame women for being assaulted, but rather make harsher laws for the perpetrators. While both sides have excellent points, females of all ages should certainly take the initiative to protect themselves first. There are lots of things women and girls can do to educate themselves on self-defense. While Nia Sanchez is a 4th degree Black Belt, simply learning the basics is a huge step in the right directions.Taking a self-defense class or purchasing a can of pepper spray is a great first step! After all, women are very, very close to ruling the world.

Three Safety Tips to Defend a Home Invasion

There’s no place like home!

Time and time again we chant, “Lord, let me make it home safely.” What if the same dwelling you find solace in is compromised? What would you do? Yesterday, an intruder armed with a machine gun entered the home of Oscar-winning actress, Sandra Bullock. After spending over an hour in her home, she managed to stay safe. See more of the story from CNN here.

Here are a few preliminary steps you can take to ease the stress of an intrusion:

1. Have an evacuation plan in place. Knowing what you are going to do before you have to actually do it, makes life simpler. If you and your family (housemates) practice what to do in case of an invasion, fire or natural disaster, it can minimize the stress of finding everyone should there be an emergency. Have a place INSIDE the home to meet or escape to if someone breaks in. In addition, a place OUTSIDE the home in case of fire or following a natural disaster assists with an adequate head count. Put in place and practice often.

2. Put that OLD CELLPHONE to use! If you, like most of us, change out your cellphone every couple of years; it’s likely you have an “extra” around the house. If a cellphone has had service at least one day, it is permanently registered with 911 and is able to make calls to emergency operators. It is recommended for you to keep an old phone in the “panic room” for access. Having to worry about finding your phone may not be as easy if you are in fear.

3. Arm yourself with a “household” weapon if you don’t own a gun, stun gun or pepper spray. You can order some non-lethal weapons such as stun guns, pepper sprays or door stoppers and alarms from Divas In Defense. Something as simple as a stick or aerosol spray can act as your last line of defense if need be. Keep a weapon in your panic room and be prepared to use it. Instruct your family or housemates on the location and proper use of the weapon as well.

As self-defense teaches, preparation and awareness is a majority of the battle. Visit Divas In Defense to register for self-defense training.

Justice For All

The month of May quietly, but swiftly, sneaked up on us. April brought us Sexual Assault Awareness Month as well as several interesting stories hovering through the news. In the last few days of April, 55 colleges throughout the U.S were named by the Department of Education as being under investigation for sexual assaults under Title IX. According to Title IX, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Many of the colleges listed are some of the most prestigious schools in the country such as Vanderbilt University, Princeton University, Harvard College, and University of Southern California, to name a few. This is a huge step in the right direction seeing as one out of every four college females claims they survived an attempted or completed sexual assault during their time at a campus. It’s wonderful to see the most influential leaders of our country stepping up for women all across the country. Even some celebrities are raising their voices on the issue:

Another recent development is the abduction of more than 250 school girls from a school in Nigeria. The world waits, holding its breath, to find out if these poor girls are safe. An Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the kidnappings. What can you do to help? Get on Twitter and use the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls to raise awareness on the subject and to give some comfort to the victim’s families that you support them and hope for their daughter’s/sister’s/friend’s safe return. It may not seem like a lot, but the families of these girls, who might even be your age, need your support and love.

Play It Safe On Spring Break

It’s that time of year again; time to shop for the perfect bikini and work toward a perfectly toned beach body. Why? Spring break 2014, of course. Majority of college spring-breakers will choose a destination near the beach. While this is a great opportunity to relieve the stress of school work, safety should remain a top priority. Whether your destination of choice is in the United States or abroad, something could happen in the blink of an eye that could change your life forever. Safespringbreak.org has some excellent tips for spring breakers, even some that are not so obvious:

When reserving a hotel room, opt for a room above the 1st floor and below the 6th floor.
Drink alcohol in moderation while on the beach, as sun maximizes effects of alcohol.
Avoid drinking while in a hot tub, as the effects can be felt much quicker and cause you to pass out.

Don’t become another statistic among the spring break world. Many of the horrible incidents that make headlines could have easily been avoided with a little bit of common sense. Taking a self-defense class is a great way to be even more prepared for anything. View our calender to see the list of classes that we offer, and reserve your spot today!

Is It Time to Intervene Your Teen?

Signs of Dating Abuse In Teens

It’s hard to believe that we’re already into the month of February. In just two short weeks Valentine’s Day will arrive and many couples will celebrate with home-cooked meals for their significant other, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, and large amounts of conversation hearts. Even though February is a love-filled month, it’s the perfect time to get educated about dating abuse; particularly teen dating abuse.

February is recognized by President Barack Obama as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention month. One-in-four high school females have been sexually or physically abused, so chances are you have a friend or know someone in an abusive relationship. How can you tell? Here are a few of the signs:

– sudden isolation from friends
– bodily injuries like cuts or bruises
– dramatically different behavior around his/her boyfriend/girlfriend
– over-load of texts or calls from significant other wanting to know where they are
– excessive surveillance by significant other of texts or calls

If you or someone you know experiences any or all of these signs, don’t be afraid to seek help. Self-defense classes are an excellent way to stay prepared, even in a serious relationship. Divas In Defense offers such classes for teens and young adults, so please check out divasindefense.com for more information.

Visit www.loveisrespect.org for even more information about teen dating abuse statistics, the signs to look for, and how to seek proper help.

Divas ROC with Kicks & Coffee

Saturday, January 25th 8:30am-10am, kick off your morning with self defense.

(For Immediate Release) Refreshments and empowerment will be served this Saturday, January 25th 8:30am-10am, at ROC House Women’s Fitness Spa. Held at 3402 Piedmont Rd Ne, Atlanta, Fierce & Fabulous Self-Defense is an introductory, hand-to-hand combative training program. With one in six girls estimated to become a victim of attempted or completed sexual assault by the age of 18, Divas In Defense, since 2010, has been dedicated to its mission of empowering women with the training and tools imperative to their personal safety. Saturday’s Fierce & Fabulous Self-Defense introductory is being hosted at ROC House Women’s Fitness Spa, bringing the first Kicks & Coffee.

Divas In Defense believes in the mission of ROC House, a woman’s fitness center and spa that is solely “geared towards the empowerment of women and their over all health. They’ve gone over and beyond to obtain machinery specifically designed for women” says Skye Walton, Director of Client Relations (Divas in Defense). As the first of event of 2014 for Divas in Defense, Walton hopes it is a catalyst for many more Kicks & Coffee to come; “I hope women come out for the camaraderie, the sisterhood, and to gain the right techniques to protect themselves,” Walton. Register for only $35 at divasindefense.com

About ROC House Fitness & Spa

ROC House Women’s Fitness Spa is nirvana: a well-rounded shelter that seeks to physically, spiritually and emotionally eliminate the stress in women’s daily lives. Founded by former NBA point guard, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, ROC House Fitness ask women of all sizes, ages and shapes to involve them in their commitment to a lifestyle of health, beauty and wellness. The Spa is located in the premiere Atlanta neighborhood of Buckhead. For more information, visit www.rochousefitnesspa.com

About Divas In Defense

2010, Divas In Defense was started by two brothers, Cole Parker and Christopher Britto, who witnessed domestic violence first hand. They are now fathers with daughters and significant others pledging to prevent the violence which was witnessed, to as many women and girls as they can. Divas In Defense is helmed out of Atlanta, Ga and Beverly Hills, California.

Holiday Safety Tips

Jingle bells, Christmas lights and Eggnog helps bring the holiday season to life. This is also the season for high crime rates and unsafe conditions, we want you to enjoy the holidays safely with your family and friends.

Here are a few tips to stay safe this holiday.

1. Make sure your car is prepared for the winter by checking your spark plugs, tires, brakes and batteries.

2. Keep a “safety survival kit” available in your car that includes a flashlight, jumper cables, ice scraper, first aid kit and non perishable, high energy food.

3. When shopping at night, park in a well lit area.

4. Do not leave visible packages in your car.

5. Try to schedule shopping trips with friends.

6. Avoid overloading yourself with packages when walking to your car.

7. ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings.

8. ALWAYS carry your self defense products. {Click here to purchase yours today}

9. Do not post your travel itinerary on social media sites.

10. Do not use the ATM at night.

Have a safe and fun Holiday Season!

Halloween Safety

Halloween is an exciting holiday for many families. Unfortunately, with all the fun comes the responsibility of making sure our children are safe. Here are a few safety tips to help make sure this Halloween season is a fun and safe one for your family.

1. Use glow sticks or flashlights to provide light for your children to while walking. This will also make them more visible to everyone else.

2. Adult supervision is important during Trick or Treat hours. Children under 12 should not trick or treat without an adult present.

3. Tell children not to enter a stranger’s house.

4. Make sure children wait to eat any candy collected until a parent or guardian is able to examine the candy collected.

5. The Halloween season provides families the opportunity to revisit the “stranger danger” talk.

6. Tell your children to avoid cutting through alleys and any unoccupied areas.

7. Stay on sidewalks or walk facing the traffic as far from the road as possible.

Have a safe and fun Halloween from the Divas in Defense Team!

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. This is a time for us to come together as a community to promote awareness of Domestic Violence. This is not a problem for one woman but for many women in our communities. Domestic Violence does not discriminate but affects every socioeconomic status and culture and is the leading cause of injury for women. Take this opportunity to stand up for those that have lost their lives in preventing Domestic Violence from happening to others. Here are a few ways that you can join the movement and take a stand.

1. Empower yourself. Empower yourself and your loved ones with the facts about Domestic Violence and how they can help. Click here for more information.

2. Participate in local Domestic Violence Awareness events. Check local listings for Domestic Violence Awareness events in your area and volunteer for these events.

3. Purple ribbon campaign. The purple ribbon is the recognized ribbon for Domestic Violence. Wear and distribute purple ribbons to friends, family and leaders in your community.

4. Purple Purse Campaign. Join AllState and YWCA Purple Purse Campaign.

5. Conduct a cell phone drive. Join Verizon by joining their HopeLine campaign. Donate your no longer used phone to a Verizon Wireless Store or through the mail. Click here to learn more.

6. Donate. Donate monetary gifts, gift cards or hygiene items to a local Domestic Violence shelters in your area. Many victims of domestic violence leave their homes without proper funding, hygiene and clothes for their family.

Divas In Defense + Universal Pictures = One Kick Ass Event!

Divas In Defense Joins Forces With Kick-Ass 2 Movie For The Sake Of Women’s Safety

Roll With Divas In Defense And Kick Ass

Nope, it’s not Halloween, but you’ll need your costume to kick some butt!

On August 12, Divas in Defense joins forces with Universal Pictures in the name of your favorite superheroes from Kick-Ass, the hit movie franchise. Kick-Ass 2 and Divas in Defense invites you to learn no-fear based, situational self-defense—and you got it, in your superhero costume. Held at Gotta Dance Atlanta as part of a “bring out your inner superhero” and women’s safety campaign—all participants will receive invaluable instruction and guidance from DID certified professional trainers. As an added bonus, all paying attendees will receive complimentary passes to the advance screening, branded t-shirts, watches and more!

Admission is $15 for costumed participants, $35 for non-costumed. Class starts at 5:30pm at 1778 Ellsworth Industrial Drive NW, Atlanta, 30318.

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