ESD In Schools
Building confidence, agency and safer futures.
Empowered Self Defence (ESD) supports female and female-identifying students to build confidence, strengthen personal agency and develop practical skills for navigating the world safely and confidently.
Through a trauma-informed and evidence-informed approach, participants learn about boundaries, assertive communication, recognising warning signs, responding to challenging situations and accessing support when needed. The program combines discussion, reflection and practical skill-building in a supportive and engaging environment.
Supporting Prevention Through Empowerment
We believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to feel safe, confident and empowered.
While responsibility for violence always rests with those who use violence, empowerment-based programs can play an important role in helping young people build confidence, strengthen boundaries and develop practical skills that support their wellbeing and safety.
Research has shown that empowerment-based self-defence programs can improve confidence, self-efficacy and safety-related outcomes for girls and young women.
Part of a Broader Prevention Approach
ESD is one piece of the puzzle.
Preventing gender-based violence requires action across individuals, communities and systems. It involves promoting gender equality, challenging harmful stereotypes, fostering respectful relationships and addressing the social and structural drivers of violence.
For this reason, Birchtree Foundation actively seeks opportunities to partner with organisations working with boys and young men to support complementary prevention initiatives.
Together, these approaches can help create school communities where all young people are empowered to contribute to cultures of respect, safety and inclusion.
Who We Work With
We currently deliver ESD programs for:
- Female students
- Female-identifying students
- Girls’ schools
- Co-educational schools
- Youth and community organisations
- University and student accommodation settings
A Whole-of-Community Approach
Birchtree Foundation believes that empowering girls and women is essential, but not sufficient on its own.
We are committed to partnering with organisations that work with boys and young men to promote healthy masculinities, respectful relationships and gender equality. Together, these complementary approaches help address both the impacts and underlying drivers of gender-based violence.
Universities are increasingly thinking about:
- Student safety
- Gender-based violence prevention
- Respectful relationships
- Student wellbeing
- Duty of care
- National Code compliance
- Residential college and student accommodation risk
- Building a culture of respect and inclusion
ESD fits naturally into that ecosystem.
