The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, is excited to offer free specialized self-defense training classes for women ages 18 – 23 at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. Two sessions are being offered – Tuesday, July 22, and Tuesday, July 29, both from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
“These classes are your chance to develop real-life skills and take charge of your personal safety,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “We want every young woman to feel strong, confident, and prepared—especially as you head back to campus this fall. To our college students home for the summer, now is the perfect time to invest in your safety.”
Experienced and certified officers will guide participants through effective self-defense techniques, safety strategies, and ways to reduce risk in everyday situations. Participants will learn not only self-defense techniques, but also how to sharpen their situational awareness to recognize and avoid danger before it escalates. This class is designed for women to build confidence and gain skills to protect themselves and those they care about, empowering them to respond to threats.
“Being aware of your surroundings is one of the most powerful tools you can have,” said Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli. “These self-defense classes aren’t just about self-defense moves, but learning how to spot red flags and how to make quick decisions under stress. We want young women to head into every situation, whether home in Union County or back on campus, with confidence.”
To participate, attendees must complete a waiver and are advised to wear comfortable gym attire. For more information or to register, please visit www.ucnj.org/women. To contact Jennifer Erdos at the Union County Office on Women, please call at 908-527-4216 or email Jerdos@ucnj.org.