Introduction to Violence Prevention and Self Defense is a free introductory course by Hero Self Defense, LLC / Mean Girl Self Defense. Students learn the foundation of real-world personal protection: awareness, prevention, decision-making, and foundational fighting skills. This course explains why self-defense begins before anything becomes physical and introduces boundaries, verbal skills, danger recognition, and predatory behavior. It is the first step in the Hero Self Defense Academy pathway.

Most attacks begin with control, not punches. In this unit, you’ll learn practical escapes from common grabs and holds, including wrist grabs, bear hugs, headlocks, chokes, hair grabs, and other compromising positions. We’ll also cover the 10 most common self-defense mistakes, the importance of continuous training, and why working with different training partners builds real confidence. Learn how to break control, create distance, and escape safely when prevention alone isn’t enough.

Violence Prevention 101 teaches the skills that can help you stay safe before a fight ever begins. Learn how to recognize warning signs, trust your instincts, set healthy boundaries, use verbal skills, manage distance, and understand how criminals choose their victims. This course gives you practical, real-world strategies to reduce your risk, avoid dangerous situations when possible, and build the confidence to protect yourself and those you love.