Implementation of empowerment self-defense programming in a university counseling center: An effective sexual violence prevention delivery model.

Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) is a sexual violence prevention approach backed by rigorous empirical research, yet its availability on college campuses is limited. This manuscript evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of an ESD program embedded within a university counseling center. Participants completed an 8-session ESD intervention and group counseling program. Feasibility and acceptability of this program were demonstrated by excellent participant retention and supported by institutional buy-in and counselor involvement. Pre-post assessments demonstrated that participants reported significant reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms, (1, 56) = 22.46,  < .001 and improvements in both interpersonal self-efficacy, (1, 56) = 88.81,  < .001, and self-defense self-efficacy, (1, 56) = 100.20,  < .001. The findings support the use of ESD programming as part of college campus sexual violence efforts and provide a blueprint for administrators and college mental-health centers who wish to offer this effective program to the college students they serve.