The Safety Conversation London Isn’t Having — And Why Women Still Need Self-Defence Training

Joanna Ziobronowicz
Jan 26
3 min read

Let’s start with something honest:

Women should not have to learn self-defence.Not in London, not in Richmond, not anywhere.We should be able to walk, travel, commute, run, socialise, and live without having to calculate risks or rehearse “what if” scenarios.

But the world we live in isn’t perfect.And until it changes, awareness and preparedness matter.

This is why more women are searching for women’s self-defence classes London, self-defence London, and even self-defence classes near me. Not because they want to fight — but because they want freedom.Freedom from fear, from second-guessing themselves, and from ignoring instincts simply to appear polite.

The Hidden Risk in “Safe” Areas — Richmond, Wimbledon, Chiswick

Every time a major case hits the news, London reacts. But beneath those headlines is a quieter trend I see constantly in my women’s self-defence Richmond classes:

Women in “good” neighbourhoods often feel the safest… until something happens.

Not a dramatic incident.Often something subtle:

Someone following for just a bit too long
A man testing physical boundaries in a crowded space
Persistent unwanted attention on a quiet street
A stranger who doesn’t listen to a polite “no”

These moments rarely make it into official statistics, but they shape women’s behaviour daily — changing routes, changing routines, changing how they move in their own city.

This is the real world context behind self-defence courses London.Not paranoia — preparation.

The “Polite Freeze”: The Real Danger No One Talks About

At times, we can freeze because we are genuinely scared, but sometimes also because we haven't been trained how to respond to unwanted behaviour.

When you see a potential risk, consider this:

Crossing the road
Moving seats
Speaking up when it's safe to do so
Creating distance
Tusting intuition

When I first started this practice, it felt uncomfortable — I have to be honest. I kept asking myself, ‘What is the person sitting next to me going to think if I change seats?’

This requires training. That is why in the self-defence workshops London, we start not with punches or kicks, but with assertiveness training. Voice. Posture. Boundaries. Real behavioural tools that matter long before anything becomes physical.

And this is by far the most difficult exercise to practice - how to react to someone BEFORE things escalate.

Richmond — Safe, Beautiful, and Still Not Immune

Because I teach women’s self-defence throughout London, I see the pattern clearly.

Take, for example Richmond- it is one of London’s safest boroughs — and that’s exactly why opportunists see it as an advantage.Low vigilance.High trust.Quieter streets.

Threats in these areas don’t look dramatic.They look familiar, casual, everyday — and that’s what makes them hard to detect.

My role in this community isn’t to make women afraid.It’s to help them read behaviour early, set boundaries confidently, and use simple, effective strategies that work in ordinary environments.

Corporate London is Responding

Another surprising trend:Demand for corporate self-defence London training is rising.

Companies are waking up to:

Safety concerns during staff commutes
Boundary issues at events
Harassment during client interactions
The need for practical confidence and communication training

When businesses start reacting before individuals do, it’s a sign that the cultural moment is shifting.

We Shouldn’t Need This — But Right Now, We Do

Women shouldn’t need to think about any of this.But until London becomes the city we want it to be, not the city it currently is, self-defence isn’t a luxury — it’s a life skill.

Not fear-based.Not aggressive.Not extreme.

Just:

Awareness
Assertiveness
Confidence
Skills that support instinct

And that’s exactly why this type of training is so important. We are not training fighters, and we’re not teaching intricate or complex moves. We teach the essential skills of vigilance, preparedness, and using your body assertively.

What’s Coming Next: New Opportunities to Learn, Move, and Empower Yourself

In the coming months, we are preparing something extra special for those who would like to consider taking up this type of practice:

1) We are launching special Women's Workshops for Corporate clients and organisations to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th.

2) In collaboration with London-based Empowered Dancers, we are organising an empowering 2-day retreat combining elements of movement (including dance, yoga and self-defence), as well as relaxation (breath work, meditation, and fire ceremony) in our Empowered Women Retreat (17-19th of April in Warsaw).