Tory Sutherland-Dadds shared useful insights into how self-defence and martial arts have helped her and many other women, grow in strength, confidence and feel empowered.
Global (29 October 2023) – Gender-based violence continues to be a pressing issue in our society, with women disproportionately affected by its devastating consequences. However, amidst the darkness, there is a beacon of hope—martial arts and self-defence training.
It is of great importance to explore the significance of women learning martial arts and self-defence techniques as a means to protect themselves, enhance their self-confidence, and combat gender-based violence holistically.
Tory Sutherland-Dadds, a survivor of gender-based violence, a 2nd dan black belt in Taekwon-do, and co-owner of A.C.E Taekwondo in Sunninghill shares her valuable insights as we delve into the transformative power of martial arts in empowering women and creating a safer society for all.
General Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwon-do, wrote that many women who are well-versed in the art of self-defence have been able to stave off the wolves in a society rampant with violence and intimidation. He highlights that martial arts, especially Taekwon-do training, serve as powerful weapons that enable the weak to not only defend themselves but also defeat their opponents. General Choi was adamant, however, that it represents more than the physical aspect but also instils a spirit of rigorous self-discipline and an ideal of virtuosity and ethical equipping.
Martial arts allow women to develop physical and mental strength while enhancing their self-confidence. The rigorous training involved instils essential traits such as discipline, perseverance, and resilience—qualities vital in combating gender-based violence. By reclaiming their agency and challenging societal norms, women can defy the violence perpetrated against them and, at the very least, escape any would-be assailants.
Tory affirms that martial arts have been instrumental in her personal empowerment:
“Before I started Taekwon-do and Jiu-jitsu, I had been in a relationship that was quite physically and emotionally abusive.”
She recounts her transformative journey: “I’m not the same person I was before I started Taekwon-do. I’m a different person. I have boundaries. I stick to them. Anytime a person in a relationship, anytime a man steps over a boundary, I have no problem putting him in his place. I don’t put myself second”.
She emphasizes the importance of confidence and self-awareness in a society plagued by rising crime rates. Martial arts provide consistency and stability, fostering good mental health and offering a safe space for personal growth and camaraderie among women.
The 2012 study titled “It made me feel powerful’: Women’s Gendered Embodiment and Physical Empowerment in the Martial Arts” details how martial arts training not only enhances physical strength but also acts as a deterrent against potential attackers.
Building physical strength and skills through traditional martial arts disciplines like Taekwon-Do, Karate, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu improves muscle tone, flexibility, overall fitness, and self-defence skills and techniques. This not only aids in self-defence but also reduces the likelihood of becoming a target for perpetrators as confidence grows in congruence with physical improvement, as detailed in ‘Predatory rapists and victim selection techniques.
Tory elaborates, “Walking with confidence knowing that you would be more able to handle the situation if the need arose does make you less of a target. Being aware of your surroundings is something that does put off any potential attackers. So, walking as though you are strong and can handle yourself will put people off”.
Situational awareness is another critical aspect of self-defence training. Learning self-defence techniques and gaining the skills necessary to protect themselves in dangerous situations are not the only valuable tools in a woman’s self-defence arsenal. Practical strategies, such as awareness of vulnerable body parts and disabling techniques, empower women to respond effectively and escape from potential attacks. However, the teachings of martial arts, like Taekwon-Do, emphasise situational awareness, teaching women to recognise and avoid potential threats whenever possible.
Tory sheds light on the broader impact of martial arts training. She highlights the development of spatial and situational awareness as crucial skills gained through martial arts. By walking with confidence and maintaining awareness of their surroundings, women can deter potential attackers. Additionally, martial arts instil self-regulation and level-headedness, enabling women to remain calm and composed in stressful situations, further contributing to their personal safety.
Tory relates how traditional martial arts can act as a vital tool in improving society as a whole.
“I feel if everybody, male or female, did traditional martial arts, you wouldn’t have men disrespecting women, disrespecting themselves, or disrespecting the teachings of their parents in attacking females. We’d have fewer women attacking women. It’s not only men who are guilty, but I feel that if the men in our society were taught self-control and discipline, we might have fewer issues surrounding gender-based violence. I feel it shouldn’t be up to women to have to defend themselves. Men should do better. We all should.”
Martial arts and self-defence training provide women with the tools to combat gender-based violence effectively. The development of physical strength, combined with enhanced self-confidence and situational awareness, enables women to reclaim their personal safety and challenge societal norms.
Through the powerful testimonies of survivors like Tory Sutherland-Dadds, we witness the transformative impact of martial arts. As she states, martial arts training offers not only the confidence to handle dangerous situations but also the wisdom to avoid them whenever possible. By promoting self-defence education, we can inspire women to embrace their strengths and create a society where gender-based violence is no longer tolerated. But, by promoting the holistic teachings of traditional martial arts, we very well may create a society where it is no longer prevalent.
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