Self Defence Regulation?

[ThinkingMan]

Hi

I'm researching the current state of self defence/protection in the U.K. and I'm hoping that MAP will end this wild goose chase.

I have been asked by several of my female friends if I will teach them what they call 'self defence'. I practise JKD, KFM, CSW etc... but I am not niave enough to think that this in any way qualifies me to teach WSD so I've refused to put together a class.

So i've been trying to find the umbrella organisation that regulates and controls 'self defence' or more specifically 'womens self defence' in the U.K.

So far: The British Self Defence Governing Body, The Self Defence Federation and the British Free Fighting Association all appear to be offering similar services. :confused:

But I am coming to the staggering realisation that I am not obligated to have any qualifications or be registered with anyone!! To an unscrupulous person these are minor hurdles to be overcome with nothing more than cleverly worded marketing. :bang:

If you know who I should be registered with please can you tell me?! But if you don't know please don't try suggest the Police, the local courts, the local womens institute, the local council ... None of them have any idea.

Even if it is not a statutory obligation to register somewhere. Can you let me know if any of the three organisations I've found are reputable?

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

TM.

[Dr.Syn]

How long have you been studying???

[alister]

Don't know much of the other two, but the Self Defence Federation (SDF) are headed up by the highly respected 8th Dan Dave Turton.

Anyone who knows anything about Self Defence will know Dave - he's the man and a genuinely nice, humble bloke.

I think I'm right in saying they run an instructor's qualification in Women's Self defence.

See: www.selfdefencefederation.co.uk

You might also want to get in touch with Liz Clark through:

http://www.womens-selfdefence.co.uk/

Liz moves in the Geoff Thompson/Dave Turton circles and is well respected in Women's SD - dead friendly and helpful too.

Good luck.

[Tackleberry]

Have a look at premierself-defence.co.uk. I believe that it is run by two excellent female instructors and they do courses for both men and women. One of the ladies - Debi Stevens, has SDF/Dave Turton links.

[davefly76]

my instructor is a police officer who also teaches s/d outside of kuk sool. i will ask him next time i see him.

dave

:)

[ThinkingMan]

Thanks for the responses...

Yeah Liz Clarke and Debi Stevens are qualified through the SDF (Dave Turton).

I have an appointment to see one of Dave Turton's instructors already, I just wanted to see if anyone had heard of them.

The Self Defence Federation seems to be where it's at in this country.

TM.

[Vanir]

Australia uses the same Westminster legal system as the UK and I know due to the nature of a Constitutional Parliament (ahem), lacking in a Bill of inalienable common rights as a governing system, no instructional qualifications are lawfully required to teach things like "self defence" which is a bit of a misnomer to the post-mediaeval outlook on sociology.

Strictly speaking, although Acts have been passed in the English House of Lords that it is reasonable for a person to defend themselves from harm, this is legally represented by the Crimes Act, Common Law and Duty of Care. In other words the English philosophy (which the Commonwealth territories innately inherit politically), is that no individual is ever truly defending themselves, but under certain confines may prosecute an offender.
Legally, when you block a mugger's punch on the side of the street you are "arresting a Summary Offence under the provisions of the Crimes Act, using proportionate force."

That is the qualification for self defence in those countries. If you do happen to open a public self defence club and you tell people to act in a legally compromising or irresponsible manner, you may find yourself liable under the Duty of Care rule, where any foreseeable consequence of your actions towards or regarding others are accountable under Westminster law.

The US has an entirely different philosophy. Justifiable force means that individuals can gain recognisable qualifications of instructing in the various forms of justifiable physical responses to assault and injury. You are not arresting criminals as such when you defend yourself, so don't come under the "one rule for all" system, but are empowered with the inherent right to protect your Constitutional rights to begin with, or given some degree of governing empowerment itself. You are also less liable to what individuals may do with your knowledge or statements.
So the system facilitates a recognition of qualified self defence education and is far more attuned to regulatory bodies regarding these specifically.

So my advice is, if in the UK or any Commonwealth nation a strong legal awareness, background or plenty of research should be taken in light of the fact you do not require any regulatory registration for your club.
Interesting to note, most no-nonesense self defence clubs around here are run by ex-cops. Perhaps the others don't last too long in the political environment.
Oops, hope I'm not being seditious, that could get me 7 yrs in prison with Australia's latest anti-terrorist laws, and without a Bill of inalienable common rights, I wouldn't even be lawfully allowed to defend myself.

One should be aware of where precisely they are. And evolve it where required.

[Stuart Rider]

I am a senior instructor with the SDF.
Was formerly the London Representative but have recently moved to
Scotland and am now one the Represtatives for Scotland.

Also know Liz and Debi very well. Both are excellent instructors as is
Carol-Anne who also runs Premier Self Defence.
However neither of these run instructor certification courses but the SDF do.
We run a number of different courses but must take the Basic Instructor course before taking any of the others on offer.
These courses only allow you to teach self defence and not award or grade anybody in self defence.
Anybody taking these courses must have some other form of relevant experience, either practising martial artist, police officer etc.

Currently there is no official Governing Body for self defence training despite what you may find on the web.

If you want further info then just ask.
Out of interest who you meeting up with.

Stuart

[ThinkingMan]

Vanir, thank you so much for this well constructed and comprehensive response.

It would seem Self Defence joins the ranks of 'Sports Psychologist' and 'Counsellor' here in the U.K. Everyone knows they're important, but not important enough to regulate!

Thanks Stuart for giving me some more info on the SDF, I did have an appointment with a Mr Bridle here in London, but ill health prevented me from meeting him. Now in the new year I fully intend to meet him and the SDF. Maybe one day we can even meet?

Regards,

TM.