| Note:
This page is under
construction. We will be adding more FAQs in the coming months.
If you are
unable to find
an adequate answer to your question on this page or elsewhere in our
website,
please e-mail
Info@impactchicago.org
or call 773-561-9000.
Do
I have to be young and in shape to take this class?
Certainly
not. 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 in our programs. You need not
be in top physical shape to take our programs; most participants are
not.
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.
Do
I have to be a survivor to take this class?
No. Though
many women who
take the class are survivors, it certainly is not a prerequisite by any
means. Typically, about one-quarter to one-half of the women in a class
indicate they are survivors of some sort of assault.
My
boyfriend/husband/father/neighbor is very big and/or has fight training
(martial arts, military, law enforcement). Would these techniques
really
work on him?
IMPACT
is primarily designed to teach women to defend themselves against
sexual predators for whom physical threats and violence (other than the
sexual assault) are means to an end, not the end itself. At least in
part, most sexual predators select their targets based on an
expectation of no effective defensive response, so women have the
element of surprise on their side. Additionally, women are generally
defending themselves against someone who's not interested in fighting
them, but victimizing them. Men with fight training can present a
higher degree of risk, but we believe that the effectiveness of the
tools combined with the element of suprise gives women an edge in
defending themselves against sexual predators.
Who
are the men who do the muggings and what are their motives?
The
men who do the muggings are, quite simply, men who want to end violence
against women. Of course, the men go through a long interview and
training
process, and being a male instructor is not for everyone. Being a male
instructor is challenging physically, spiritually, mentally, and
emotionally.
Being a male IMPACT instructor means being able to balance all of these
factors while being in the moment with each group of women.
Why should men encourage
women to take
self-defense?
 We
know
that
women
are
critical
messengers,
spreading
the
word
about
IMPACT
and
the
import
of
self-defense
training
to
their
female
friends,
colleagues,
and
family
members.
However,
to
end
violence
in our communities, it is critical that men also become
vocal advocates of self-defense training for women. Three men have
offered
their personal stories and thoughts on why men should encourage women
to
take self-defense. We hope that you will read these heartfelt messages
and share them with others: Encourage.
How do I donate to the
Dianne Costanzo Scholarship
Fund?
IMPACT instructor Dianne
"Dee" Costanzo retired in November 2009. In Dee's
honor and name,IMPACT has established a scholarship
fund. Please
consider making a donation to join IMPACT in recognizing and
appreciating Dee's 22 years of IMPACT service. Lisa Amoroso, IMPACT
Chicago Annual Fundraiser Coordinator, draws on a favorite Dee slogan
to encourage you to donate: "Just as it is not the size of the woman in
the fight but the size of the fight in the woman, it is not the size of
your donation--small large, or anything in between--all donations to
the Dianne Costanzo Fund will be used to provide financial assistance
to women/girls and help our efforts grow. Please send your donation to
IMPACT Chicago, 4770 N. Lincoln Avenue #6, Chicago, IL 60625. |
