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FAQs


 
 











 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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?
  • Do I have to be a survivor to take this class?
  • 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?
  • Who are the men who do the muggings and what are their motives?
  • Why should men encourage women to take self-defense?
  • How do I donate to the Dianne Costanzo Scholarship Fund?

  • 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.

     
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