Empower & Protect – Self Defense Essentials for Women

Free specialized self-defense training classes for women aged 18 years and older. This activity involves pairing up, so we encourage you to invite a friend to register and join you. Please wear comfortable clothing; shoes are not permitted on the mats.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, invites women ages 18 and older to participate in two free Empower & Protect: Self-Defense Essentials for Women classes this October.

The classes will be held on October 21, 2026 and October 28, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“Knowing how to recognize a potentially dangerous situation and respond with confidence can make a meaningful difference,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “These classes give women an opportunity to build practical skills in a supportive environment, and I encourage residents to take advantage of this free program.”

Led by trained and certified law enforcement officers, each hands-on class will cover practical self-defense maneuvers along with strategies for prevention, awareness, risk reduction and avoidance. The program is designed to help participants strengthen their confidence and develop skills that may be valuable in threatening or unsafe situations.

“The goal of this program is to give women practical tools they can understand, remember and use if they ever find themselves in a dangerous situation,” said Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli. “Our officers will provide clear, hands-on instruction while helping participants become more aware of their surroundings and better prepared to protect themselves.”

Because the exercises involve paired practice, participants are encouraged to register with a friend or family member. Attendees should wear casual, comfortable clothing.

The classes are free, but space is limited and advance registration is required.

The Empower & Protect program is presented by the Union County Board of County Commissioners through the Department of Economic Development’s Office on Women, in partnership with the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Self-Defense Class for College-bound Women Aged 18 to 23

Sign up to receive updates for our planned 2026 October classes.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, will be offering two free self-defense classes for women 18-23 on Wednesday, July 22 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“As young adults head off to college, internships, travel opportunities, and summer jobs, it’s important that they feel prepared and confident navigating new environments,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “These classes are designed to provide practical self-defense skills, increase situational awareness, and help them feel empowered both on campus and in everyday life.”

Empower & Protect: College Bound Self-Defense Essentials for Women is designed to help young women feel more confident, aware, and prepared as they head into college life.

Led by experienced law enforcement professionals, these hands-on sessions focus on practical self-defense techniques, situational awareness, and safety strategies for everyday situations on campus, while traveling, and during social activities.

Whether you’re preparing to live away from home for the first time, looking to boost your confidence, or simply want to feel more secure in your daily routine, these classes provide valuable skills and knowledge you can carry with you wherever you go.

“Knowing how to recognize and respond to potentially unsafe situations is an important skill, especially for young adults as they prepare for college life, commuting, travel, and greater independence” said Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli. “Our instructors focus on realistic situations and simple techniques that can help participants react quickly and feel more confident in their everyday lives.”

Space is limited, and registration is required. These classes, which involve partnered practice, are identical – please sign up for only one session, and consider registering with a friend or family member. Comfortable workout attire is recommended, and shoes will not be permitted on the mats, so please plan accordingly. To participate in the hands-on portion, attendees must complete a waiver.

To contact Jennifer Erdos at the Union County Office on Women, please call at 908-527-4216 or email Jerdos@ucnj.org.

Empower & Protect – Self Defense Essentials

Click here to register

Women’s History Month

Celebrate Women’s History Month with our collective poster and coloring book! A limited number of printed copies are available on a first-come, first served basis – so claim yours while supplies last! To request a copy, please contact Jennifer Erdos, from the Union County Office on Women at 908-527-4216 or email jerdos@ucnj.org. You can also click each image below for printable PDFs.

Click each image above for printable PDF’s. And this line: To request a copy, please contact Jennifer Erdos, from the Union County Office on Women at 908-527-4216 or email jerdos@ucnj.org.

Go RED

Go Red is the American Heart Association’s national movement to end heart disease & stroke in women

The first Friday of every February marks the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative: Go Red for Women. Go Red raises awareness about heart disease and cardiovascular health in women and encourages women to take charge of their heart health while supporting the health of those they love.

This February, let’s raise awareness across Union County and help save lives.

We’re calling on all Union County residents to wear red, take a photo, and submit it with the required information below to participate in this awareness campaign.

Let’s show New Jersey how Union County cares about women’s heart health. Along with raising visibility, we encourage everyone to explore and share heart-health resources, learn the warning signs, and start conversations that could save a life.

Click here to submit your photos

Resources

The Facts about Women and Heart Disease

Information from the American Heart Association, Inc

Fact: Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. It’s a third of our mothers, sisters, friends, neighbors, coworkers and more. It’s a third of the women we can’t bear to live without.
Fact: Cardiovascular disease impacts some women at higher rates than others, but the simple truth is that most cardiovascular diseases can still be prevented with education and healthy lifestyle changes.
Fact: Heart disease and stroke can affect a woman at any age, making it vital for all women to understand their personal risk factors and family history. Women can also experience unique life events that can impact their risk, including pregnancy and menopause. Furthermore, research shows that stress may impact health, making it important for women to understand the mind-body connection and how to focus on improving both their physical health and mental well-being.
Fact: Losing even one woman to cardiovascular disease is too many.

Here are 10 other facts you need to know about women and cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined and yet only 44% of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat.
Among females 20 years and older, nearly 45% are living with some form of cardiovascular disease and less than 50% of women entering pregnancy in the United States have good heart health.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of new moms and accounts for over on-third of maternal deaths. Black women have some of the highest maternal mortality rates.
Overall, 10% to 20% of women will have a health issue during pregnancy, and high blood pressure, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes during pregnancy greatly increase a women’s risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life.
Going through menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease, but the approach of menopause marks a point in midlife when women’s cardiovascular risk factors can accelerate, making increased focus on health during this pivotal life stage is crucial.
Most cardiac and stroke events can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes, such as moving more, eating smart and managing blood pressure.
51.9% of high blood pressure deaths, otherwise known as hypertension or the “silent killer,” are in women, and out of all women, 57.6% of Black females have hypertension — more than any other race or ethnicity.
While there are an estimated 4.1 million female stroke survivors living today, approximately 57.5% of total stroke deaths are in women.
Women are often less likely to receive bystander CPR because rescuers often fear accusations of inappropriate touching, sexual assault or injuring the victim.
Women continue to be underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields, as well as in research. In fact, women occupy nearly half of all U.S. jobs (48%), but only 27% of jobs in STEM fields. Furthermore, only 38% of participants in clinical cardiovascular trials are women.

Human Trafficking Awareness

Get Help

24/7 and Confidential

National Human Trafficking Hotline

Call 1-888-373-7888 | TTY 711

Text 22733 | Chat Click here

Photos from our Social Media Campaign

Submit your photos

Recognizing the Signs

As the U.S. anti-trafficking movement has grown in our understanding of this complex crime, we are learning more about how specific people, such as medical professionals, teachers, truck drivers, and restaurant personnel, in addition to friends and family members, can help identify and report possible trafficking.

Everyone can help by learning the types of trafficking and paying attention to the people around us.

Who is Most At Risk?

Anyone can experience trafficking in any community, just as anyone can be the victim of any kind of crime. Many societal factors can put people at risk. Traffickers recognize and take advantage of people who are at-risk.

People may be at-risk to trafficking if they

Have an unstable living situation
Have previously experienced other forms of violence such as sexual abuse or domestic violence
Have run away or are involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare system
Are facing poverty or economic need
Have a caregiver or family member who has a substance use issue
Are addicted to drugs or alcohol

Who Are the Traffickers

There is no evidence that traffickers are more likely to be of a particular background.

They may be family members, romantic partners, acquaintances, or strangers.

How Traffickers Lure People In

Stories become weapons in the hands of human traffickers — tales of romantic love everlasting or about good jobs and fair wages just over the horizon.

Sometimes, the stories themselves raise red flags.

Other times, traffickers or potential traffickers may raise red flags during recruitment.

Here are a few situations that might raise concerns

A would-be employer refuses to give workers a signed contract or asks them to sign a contract in a language they can’t read.
A would-be employer collects fees from a potential worker for the “opportunity” to work in a particular job.
A friend, family member, co-worker, or student is newly showered with gifts or money or otherwise becomes involved in an overwhelming, fast-moving, and asymmetric (e.g., large difference in age or financial status) romantic relationship.
A friend, family member, or student is a frequent runaway and may be staying with someone who is not their parent or guardian.
A family member, friend, co-worker, or student is developing a relationship that seems too close with someone they know solely on social media.
A family member, friend, or student lives with a parent or guardian and shows signs of abuse.
A family member, friend, or co-worker is offered a job opportunity that seems too good to be true.
A family member, friend, or co-worker is recruited for an opportunity that requires them to move far away, but their recruiter or prospective employer avoids answering their questions or is reluctant to provide detailed information about the job.

Recognizing Labor Trafficking

Labor trafficking includes situations where men, women, and children are forced to work through threats and/or violence.

Keeping victims isolated — physically or emotionally — is a key method of control in most labor trafficking situations.

But that does not mean you never cross paths with someone who is experiencing trafficking.

Someone may be experiencing labor trafficking or exploitation if they

Feel pressured by their employer to stay in a job or situation they want to leave
Owe money to an employer or recruiter or are not being paid what they were promised or are owed
Do not have control of their passport or other identity documents
Are living and working in isolated conditions, largely cut off from interaction with others or support systems
Appear to be monitored by another person when talking or interacting with others
Are being threatened by their boss with deportation or other harm
Are working in dangerous conditions without proper safety gear, training, adequate breaks, or other protections
Are living in dangerous, overcrowded, or inhumane conditions provided by an employer

Recognizing Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking occurs when individuals are made to perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.

Any child under 18 who is involved in commercial sex is legally a victim of trafficking, regardless of whether there is a third party involved.

Someone may be experiencing sex trafficking if they

Want to stop participating in commercial sex but feel scared or unable to leave the situation.
Disclose that they were reluctant to engage in commercial sex but that someone pressured them into it.
Live where they work or are transported by guards between home and workplace.
Are children who live with or are dependent on a family member with a substance use problem or who is abusive.
Have a “pimp” or “manager” in the commercial sex industry.
Work in an industry where it may be common to be pressured into performing sex acts for money, such as a strip club, illicit cantina, go-go bar, or illicit massage business.
Have a controlling parent, guardian, romantic partner, or “sponsor” who will not allow them to meet or speak with anyone alone or who monitors their movements, spending, or communications.

If you believe you are a victim of human trafficking or may have information about a potential trafficking situation, please contact the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.

Awareness & Education

Human Trafficking Posters (11″x17″):
Available in English and Spanish

Click each image to view a larger version

NJ Human Trafficking Task Force Brochure(8.5″x11″): English I Español

Human Trafficking Red Flags & Fact Sheets(8.5″x11″):

How to Identify Victims

Investigate Tips

Victims you identify and assist may help in the prosecution and conviction of their traffickers. The questions below may help you identify a human trafficking victim:

What type of work do you do?
Are you being paid?
Can you leave your job if you want to?
Can you come and go as you please?
Have you or your family been threatened?
What are your working and living conditions like?
Where do you sleep and eat?
Do you have to ask permission to eat/sleep/go to the bathroom?
Are there locks on the doors/windows so you cannot get out?
Do you have possession of your identifying documents? If not, who does?

If you are not in a position to question a potential victim of human trafficking, look for the following clues:

Evidence of being controlled
Evidence of inability to move or leave job
Bruises or other signs of physical abuse
Fear or depression
Not speaking on own behalf or non-English speaking dominated by English speaking individual(s).
No passport or other forms of identification or documentation