The University of Toronto is a large school expanding over three campuses with an even larger student body. With all the students, faculty members, and staff on and around campus, it can become a little daunting and nerve-wracking coming into contact with so many different people, on campus, in the surrounding neighborhood, or at social events.
U of T offers many programs and classes for faculty and students alike that better prepare them in the event that the need for self-defense arises. These classes are meant for anyone who feels that they would be more comfortable if they had the training to defend themselves in an emergency situation.
The Community Safety Office (CSO) is a tri-campus service available to the members of the university community. The organization “provides assistance to members of the University of Toronto community who are dealing with personal and/or workplace difficulties that impact their personal safety.”
The CSO offers workshops and training on a variety of topics including conflict resolution, sexual, assault, and physical abuse. The CSO also offers a program called Wen-Do, a self-defense program designed to teach women avoidance techniques, as well as how to take action against assault. It also raises awareness about assault. The class is basic self-defense taught by women, for women in an inclusive environment.
The CSO offers the program called U of T Men Against Violence that is open to all male university members. This group is designed for males who would like to increase awareness of violence against women.
The athletics departments of U of T also offer instructional registration based classes for self-defense. At Hart House and the Athletic Centre located at the St. George campus, university members can register for Judo, T’ai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Capoeira, Kung Fu, Karate, and Kendo. At the Mississauga campus Athletic Center, Aikido, Judo, and Karate are offered. At the Scarborough campus’s new Athletic Centre, kickboxing, MMA, Capoeira, Karate, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, Muay Tai, and Tae Kwon Do are all available classes.
These classes help individuals with their self-confidence while simultaneously increasing awareness of violence and striving to end violence in our community. They are not only great ways to stay healthy and fit, but they also help create safer environments and give members of the community confidence.
Whether you are a new student at U of T, simply feel unsafe walking outside when dark, or simply want a fun work-out or to make some new friends, U of T has much to offer when it comes to self-defense.
