As in the Core Program, the course is designed for women who can comfortably engage in everyday activities. If you can walk up a flight of stairs carrying something, walk quickly across a room to pick up a ringing phone, and sit down on the floor and get up again, you are fit enough to participate. IMPACT Chicago recommends, however, that you postpone taking the class if you are recovering from a significant injury, have experienced an assault within the last three months, or are pregnant.

Program Descriptions
IMPACT's Advanced Programs train women to respond to attack situations where a weapon is involved or more than one attacker is present. Details about the content and length of each course is provided below. Please note that the Advanced Programs build on techniques taught in the Core Program. For this reason, they are only open to women who have successfully completed the Core Program. 

Defense Against an Armed Rapist
This program, taught in a single, six-hour session, is designed to teach women techniques and strategies to defend against the most common ways a rapist attempts to use a club, gun, or knife to force compliance. Women learn how to defend themselves in attacks that begin when they are walking, standing, or asleep.

Defense Against an Armed Rapist II
This two-day program is designed for graduates of IMPACT's Core Program, including women who have completed the Advanced Defense Skills course (formerly Level II) and the one-day Defense Against an Armed Rapist course. Taught on two consecutive days, with six hours of training each day, this course covers effective defenses to common attacks with a club, knife, or gun, from the front or the rear, both standing and on the ground. 

Defense Against Multiple Assailants
This program is designed to teach women to defend against the most common ways two or three attackers use their greater numbers to intimidate and overpower a woman. Women learn techniques and strategies to defend themselves in surprise attacks, attacks that begin with a verbal confrontation, attacks in which they are grabbed from behind, and attacks that occur when they are asleep. This program is typically taught on two consecutive days, with six hours of training each day. 

Advanced Defense Skills
This combination course is designed to prepare women to defend against the most common ways an armed rapist or two assailants attack a woman when she is walking or standing. This program is typically taught on two consecutive days (Saturday and Sunday) with six hours on each of the two days.

Program Registration
Registering for an IMPACT program is easy! Just click on the Register button at the top of this page to register online or to access a printable version of the registration form. If you prefer, you can request a registration form by calling IMPACT (773-338-4545) or e-mailing Leslie@impactchicago.org, IMPACT Chicago's Registration and Workshop Director. Do it today! 

Program Fees and Payment Options
The program fees for the Advanced Programs are as follows: 
 

An initial $50 deposit is due with your registration and is required to reserve your place in the program. The balance of the program fee must be received at the IMPACT Chicago office, postmarked no fewer than 10 days prior to the beginning of the program. 

Alternative payment options are available for women who wish to attend an IMPACT advanced program. For more information, click on the following link: Paying for IMPACT. Because our mission is to bring self-defense to all women and girls regardless of economic circumstances, all our scholarship funds are directed to our introductory workshops and courses.

Late Registration and Cancellation Fees
If you are mailing the final payment fewer than 10 days prior to the beginning of the Advanced Program, a late fee of $15 will apply and should be included in the amount received. 

IMPACT Chicago programs have a limited enrollment in order to maximize the experience of each participant. Our ability to offer programs is jeopardized when participants cancel. For this reason, the initial $50 deposit is nonrefundable. To cancel your registration in a course, we require witten notice at least 14 days prior to the first day of the program. If a student does not attend or complete the course in which she is enrolled, she forfeits all of her tuition. We offer no refunds.

To transfer your enrollment to an Advanced Program other than the one for which you originally registered, we require written notice at least 14 days prior to the course date and a $25 transfer fee. The balance of the tuition will be applied to the new course.