BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.4.3//EN TZID:Europe/Brussels X-WR-TIMEZONE:Europe/Brussels BEGIN:VEVENT UID:22@feros.be DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260820T170000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260820T203000 DTSTAMP:20260722T075055Z URL:https://www.feros.be/events/queer-feminist-self-defence-for-sex-worker s-by-utsopi-and-feros-2/ SUMMARY:Queer feminist self-defence for sex workers by Utsopi and Feros DESCRIPTION:You can register by sending an email to Utsopi: sophie@utsopi.b e\nWorkshop in ‘English adapted for non-native speakers’ - possibility to speak Dutch or French yourself. \n\nWhat is queer feminist self-defen ce?\nFeros self-defence workshops teach you techniques to protect yourself . This includes mental\, verbal\, emotional and physical techniques. We al so work on the connection between body and mind to better manage stress an d difficult situations\, such as violence.\nOur workshops vary depending o n the facilitators\, as their facilitation style\, preferences and backgro unds influence the structure and content of the workshops. All of our trai ners follow the tradition of feminist self-defence (such as Wen Do).\nIn t his workshop\, we will support you to:\n\n connect individual experiences of violence to systemic power relations\n build self-confidence and a se nse of security\n develop physical and emotional awareness\n cultivate s tress management and resilience strategies\n learn psychological\, verbal and physical self-defence techniques\n\nFor who is this workshop?\nThis w orkshop is aimed at sex workers\, regardless of their gender\, background\ , status or experience. It is designed as a space that takes into account the specific realities of sex work and the violence\, discrimination and s tigmatisation that can be associated with it.\nWe do not believe in ‘saf e’ spaces and instead favour the notion of responsibility. We are aware that situations of violence can also occur within queer feminist spaces. O ur intention is to create a space where we can collectively express solida rity\, respect\, understanding and kindness\, and also have the space to e xpress what is wrong\, in order to address and resolve issues in a constru ctive manner.\n\nPractical information\nThe first workshop will take place on Tuesday 14 April from 18h30 to 21h30 (doors open 18h) in the offices o f Utsopi\, next to Brussels north station. The second session will take pl ace on Thursday\, 20 August from 17h30 to 20h30 (Doors open at 17h) in de Kleine Sikkel in Ghent (Nederpolder 2). The third session will take place in Antwerp in November/December. It is possible to attend 1\, 2 or all 3 s essions\, each session will be a bit different. \n\nThe workshop will be given in English\, but it will also be possible to express yourself in Dut ch or French. We hope that by giving the workshop in English rather than D utch it can be open to sex workers with a migration background who do not speak Dutch or French. The workshop is free.\n\nBoth trainers speak Englis h as their second language. It will be possible to speak Dutch/French in s mall group exercises and short translation to Dutch/French can be offered. Unfortunately we are not able to guarantee translation to other languages than Dutch or French\, but do reach out if language is a barrier and we c an try to find a solution together. \n\nTraining style and trainers\nOur workshops are based in experiential learning. This means that we learn by doing. We use an approach that does not create hierarchies. We are feminis ts and take into account all differences between people. Our goal is to cr eate group cultures that focus on care and inclusivity.\n\nThis session wi ll be facilitated by murmure (she) and sofie (she). They bring a varied ex perience in self-defence methods\, including martial arts\, bodywork and c ollective care practices. Both facilitators are white and hold a Belgian p assport. They have different experiences regarding gender\, sexuality\, ne uro-diversity\, (mental) health\, education\, income\, family wealth and l iving situation. The two facilitators have different sex work experience r anging from none to a little temporarily. \n\nFeros and Utsopi?\nFeros is a collective of facilitators. We organise activities around collective ca re\, inclusivity and queer feminist self-defence.\nUTSOPI is a Belgian org anisation that defends the rights of sex workers\, run by and for those co ncerned. It fights against stigmatisation and violence\, and carries out p olitical and social advocacy work. UTSOPI also creates spaces for support\ , information and self-organisation for sex workers.\n\nIn 2025 Feros and Utsopi organised a first self-defence workshop for sex workers together\, in French. During this first workshop\, we worked together to understand w hat you need in terms of self-defence in your work context. We will work t ogether to decide on the format\, content and objectives of these workshop s. Because this workshop and the collaboration went well we decided to org anise 2 series of 3 workshops in 2026\, one series in English for non-nati ve speakers and one series in French. \n\nAccessibility\nThe venue and it s sanitary facilities are wheelchair accessible. A quiet area is available for those who wish to be alone. Noise-cancelling headphones are available . Wide chairs without armrests are provided for larger people.\n\nWe alter nate seated and standing exercises\, but you are welcome to stay seated\, stand up\, or leave the room at any time. This workshop is open to everyon e\, regardless of physical condition\, however some exercises are not full y accessible to people with reduced mobility. Please contact us in advance at training@feros.be if you need adaptations to the program. \n\nTranspo rt accessibility: From the train station Gent-Sint-Pieters\, take T1 or T3 to ‘Gent Vogelmarkt’. No car parking available. ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.feros.be/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ Capture-decran-2025-10-21-a-18.18.161.png CATEGORIES:Self-Defense END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Brussels X-LIC-LOCATION:Europe/Brussels BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260329T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR