We’re stoked to announce a partnership happy hour party we know all our local peeps will want to support and be a part of!

CHOW and Cart Driver

Join Cart Driver for a beer and a shot special to benefit CHOW!

Sober AF Rockies Game

Voces Unidas for Justice

Sober Softball League // Colorado Springs

Verbal self-defense skills can change your life

I know you’ve had this experience:

Someone says something offensive, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that crosses a boundary.

You want to say something, but you’re not sure what to say … or you’re so shocked you can’t say anything … or you’re afraid of the consequences of saying something.

Hours later, you think of the great thing you wish you had said.

Skills and practice can make it easier to deal with microaggressions, sexist and racist remarks, and boundary-crossing.

That’s where Defend Yourself can help.

The truth is, these things happen way more often than physical attacks ― sometimes more than once a day (think street harassment).

And knowing how to respond to them can actually prevent some things from escalating.

Verbal skills can help keep you safe ― emotionally, mentally, psychically, and even physically.

Verbal self-defense helps you: 
• Respond more quickly and know what to say in the moment 
• Tell people what’s okay with you and what’s not 
• Ask for what you want and need with confidence.

Here’s one strategy to get you started. When someone says something problematic, pause, take a breath, and ask yourself: “What do I want them to do?” Then turn that into a sentence.

Here are some things you might say: 
● Stop! 
● Take your hand off me. 
● I don’t find that funny. Don’t joke about other people in front of me. 
● No hugs right now. 
● Don’t touch me! 
● I’m not interested. Stop asking me. 
● Please don’t comment on the way I look. 
● You’re standing too close. You need to back up. 
● Please stop asking personal questions. I keep my work and private lives separate. 
● I can’t have a conversation when you’re yelling at me. You need to stop. 
● Let me go! 
● That didn’t feel okay to me.

Of course, there are an infinite number of boundaries you might set, and how you do that depends on the situation, your relationship with the person, your personality, and a bunch more factors.

Want to make standing up for yourself easier? You can learn more and get some practice in a safe environment at our upcoming class: Empowerment and Self-Defense: Intro for BIPOC.

You deserve to feel – and be – safe.

If you’re Black, Indigenous, or another person of color, we invite you join us for a small group experience to learn practical skills for safety and respect in everyday life. It’s BIPOC-led, trauma-informed, and centers your needs.

Details and registration are here. The class is on Zoom, so people from almost everywhere can join! Please tell your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors about this opportunity.

Have a wonderful weekend!