MenAble were proud supporters of a collaborative pilot program in Busselton over 2023/24 focused on improving personal safety for teenage girls in local high schools.
The Pilot Program was tilted "Situational Awareness, Tactics, and Safety Program for Teenage Girls" or SATASP.
The Situational Awareness, Tactics, and Safety Program aimed at empowering teenage girls through safety awareness and defence tactics has shown remarkable outcomes based on participant feedback. The pilot consisted of 3 groups of between 10 and 18 students aged 13 to 16 years. Students participated in 6 one hour sessions involving theory and practical elements and presented over a 6 week period. This is a summary highlighting the key results and benefits achieved from the program.
Enhanced Understanding of Safety Strategies
Participants reported a greater understanding of safety strategies. Particularly for walking at night and recognizing early signs of impending violence. The confidence in planning to walk at night using safety strategies increased from 41.2% before the program to 63.6% after completing it. Similarly, the ability to recognize signs of impending violence saw an increase from 39.4% to 55.9%.
Increased Confidence in Physical Self-Defence
A significant improvement in confidence levels regarding physical self-defence was noted among participants. Before the program, only 12.1% felt confident in defending themselves physically, while this number increased to 61.8% after participation.
Knowledge of Rights and Responsibilities
The program successfully increased participants' knowledge of their rights and responsibilities in threatening situations. Confidence in this area grew from 38.2% before the program to 64.7% after the program.
Satisfaction and Recommendations
The overall satisfaction with the program was high, with 94.1% of participants rating it 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 to 5. Additionally, 88.2% of the participants would recommend the program to their friends, highlighting the program's perceived quality, value and perceived effectiveness in meeting the participants expectations.
Key Benefits Reported
Participants cited several main benefits, including learning how to defend themselves, understanding how to act under pressure, and feeling stronger and more confident. Specific skills learned included remaining calm in dangerous situations and protecting themselves from physical aggression.
The Situational Awareness, Tactics, and Safety Program for teenage girls has been highly successful in achieving its objectives. It significantly boosted participants' confidence in self-defence, enhanced their understanding of safety strategies and rights, and received high satisfaction ratings.Pilot Program Partners
Zonta Dunsborough, Lions Club of Busselton, MenAble Aus, Sussex Masonic Lodge, Busselton Martial ArtsParticipating Schools: Busselton Senior High School, Georgiana Molloy Anglican SchoolIf you would like to know more about the program or assist in bringing it to your school or year group. Please contact Craig Crampton,
Program lead and Director at Busselton Martial Arts. M 0407101933.
Zonta Dunsborough are currently offering a 50% subsidy on the program fee for 4 courses over 2024/25 (conditions apply)
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