The Safety Team

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The Safety Team is located in Vermont & has offered empowerment self-defense classes to girls and women for 20 years.

We work towards the empowerment of all women and the end of rape culture.

10/06/2026

You've seen the news. So have we. It's why we do what we do.

About 1 in 4 undergraduate women experiences r**e or sexual assault during college.

As RAINN says, "Sexual violence is not a rare or isolated problem on college campuses." We can't wait for consequences to stop it. Prevention matters.

If this is part of your story, none of it is your fault, and healing is possible.

Here's how to help: talk with young people about consent and boundaries, listen to survivors, speak up, and send this to the men in your life. We need men to be outraged too, and to act on it.

Empowerment Self-Defense belongs in every high school. Trauma recovery should be available to everyone who needs it.

Read more in our October newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thesafetyteam/let-outrage-fuel-action?e=c91598e93c

The Safety Team
www.thesafetyteam.org

09/21/2026

💪✨️ Thank you to all the awesome women who came out to The Safety Team's Empowerment Self-Defense Workshop today!

We learned practical strategies for keeping ourselves safe, practiced boundary setting, using our voices, and strikes. We covered some serious material and we also had fun!

Interested in joining one of our workshops or want to learn more? Find info and upcoming classes and programming on our website at www.thesafetyteam.org

09/15/2026

Big morning at Rocky Ridge Golf Club! ⛳ The Safety Team is out at the Northwest Vermont REALTOR® Association's 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, where safety is this year's theme.

We're grateful NVRA invited us to be part of it, and it's a great chance to talk about something we don't say enough: preventing violence isn't just about teaching people (often women) how to defend themselves. It's also about educating men and boys on the culture that allows violence to happen in the first place. Real safety work has to include everyone.

Thank you to NVRA for supporting this conversation. Members of the Safety Team are on site today teaching participants some basic strikes!

Northwest Vermont REALTOR® Association

09/14/2026

Women's Empowerment Self-Defense Class!

Level 1 - Saturday, September 20 from 10am to 12:30pm in South Burlington. All levels of fitness welcome!

"I was so impressed with this class. The amount of knowledge gained in one session was much more than I expected. I walked away feeling informed, confident, and most of all, empowered."

Together we prevent violence, heal trauma, foster resilience, and build safer community.

Workshops are open to girls and women ages 14+ (12+ may attend with a participating guardian).

Register or watch a short video about our programs at www.thesafetyteam.org

👉 The Safety Team

09/13/2026

🌿 Free Online Trauma Information & Empowerment Circle - Fall 2026

Together, we prevent violence, heal trauma, foster resilience, and build safer communities.

This group is for adults in early recovery from domestic or intimate partner violence, childhood abuse, or other interpersonal trauma. Using Dr. Judith Herman's evidence based framework alongside The Safety Team's own trauma treatment and violence prevention program (developed by psychologist Dr. Christine DiBlasio), this space offers structured support to build coping skills and heal in community.

📅 Tuesdays, 5:00–6:15pm
🗓️ September 22–December 1
🤝 Small groups, virtual sessions, facilitated by trauma informed clinicians

Open to adults who identify as women or non binary. Participants are encouraged to have ongoing support (therapy, case management, or recovery services) alongside the group.

This program is free, thanks to a grant from the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services.

Ready to join or want more info? Email us at [email protected] or visit thesafetyteam.org 💛

09/07/2026

~ Honoring the Work ~
Happy Labor Day from The Safety Team!

As we take a moment to rest and celebrate the contributions of workers everywhere, we wanted to pause and say thank you to our instructors, volunteers, partners, and everyone who shows up to make our Violence Prevention, Trauma Recovery, and Certification programs possible in our communities.

Labor Day is a good reminder that meaningful change takes sustained effort, often behind the scenes. Whether you've taught a workshop, listened to a survivor, organized a training, or simply spread the word about our work, you're part of the work that makes safety and empowerment more accessible in Vermont. We hope you get a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy the long weekend with the people who matter to you.

With gratitude,
Genie & The Safety Team

P.S. We have a Level 1 workshop coming up on Sunday the 20th at 10:00 a.m. in South Burlington, as well as an Online Trauma Recovery Series beginning Sept 15.

09/03/2026

Heading to college? Know about the "Red Zone."

The first few months of the fall semester through Thanksgiving are when college students, especially first-years, face an increased risk of sexual assault. New environments, new relationships, and party culture can create risky situations.

One thing to remember: 100% of the responsibility for an assault falls on the attacker. Nothing a survivor does causes an attack.

A few reminders for students:
🔹 Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, leave.
🔹 Stay connected with friends and use a buddy system.
🔹 Know your campus emergency resources.
🔹 Consent must be clear, voluntary, and can be withdrawn anytime.

And this isn't just a conversation for young women. Young men play a key role by respecting boundaries and stepping in when someone's being pressured.

Parents: talking openly about consent, boundaries, and safety before your student leaves home can help them feel more prepared and connected.

Sending you all off with confidence this semester. 💛

Read more in our September newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thesafetyteam/september-news

08/27/2026

Free Mind-Body Trauma Recovery Program this fall! 🧡
Our Ther**eutic Empowerment Self-Defense (TESD™) program, developed by Dr. Christine DiBlasio, helps trauma survivors reclaim a sense of safety, confidence, and empowerment through an integrated mind-body approach.

Series happening this fall:

• Teens & Young Adults: Oct 2, 9, 16 & 23, 4:00-6:00pm

• Adults: Oct 30, Nov 6 & 13, 2:00-4:30pm

• Free Online Trauma Information & Empowerment Circle: Tuesdays, Sept 15-Dec 1

This program is free, thanks to a grant from the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services.

Want to join us? Email [email protected] or visit the link in our bio to learn more and register.

08/20/2026

Free Virtual Trauma Information & Empowerment Circle 🌿

This virtual support group offers a safe, structured space to build coping skills, blending The Safety Team's innovative trauma treatment and violence prevention program (developed by psychologist Dr. Christine DiBlasio) with Dr. Judith Herman's evidence based framework for trauma recovery.

Who can join: Adults who identify as women or non binary, and who are in recovery from domestic or intimate partner violence, childhood abuse, or other interpersonal trauma.

What to expect: A brief virtual intake interview, followed by 12 weekly virtual sessions (60 to 75 minutes each), facilitated by trauma informed clinicians.

When: Every Tuesday, 5:00 to 6:15 PM, September 15 through December 1.

Space is limited to 8 to 10 participants to keep the group safe and supportive, so reach out soon if you'd like to join.

📧 Sign up: [email protected] (confidential and HIPAA compliant)

The Safety Team

08/17/2026

"It was really reassuring to learn how to be able to help myself and stay safe in uncomfortable situations and learning how to use my voice to stand up for myself!" Kira, age 14 💪

This summer, staff from Make Waves Retreat , a girls' empowerment retreat program in the Adirondacks of New York, completed their Empowerment Self-Defense instructor certification with The Safety Team. They brought what they learned straight to their "Empowered and Standing Up" retreat, leading ESD workshops for the girls in attendance.

The lessons didn't stop when the workshops ended. From Lake Placid to the summit of Cobble Hill Mountain, the girls kept practicing their strikes and their voices all week, turning early hesitation into confidence and pride by retreat's end.

Read the full story: https://mailchi.mp/thesafetyteam/whats-going-on-13885185

Address

444 South Union Street
South Burlington, VT
05401

Website

http://www.thesafetyteam.org/

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