BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN TZID:Europe/Brussels X-WR-TIMEZONE:Europe/Brussels BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20@feros.be DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260414T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260414T213000 DTSTAMP:20260304T150939Z URL:https://www.feros.be/events/queer-feminist-self-defence-for-sex-worker s-by-utsopi-and-feros/ 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 yourself\nWhat is queer feminist self-defence\nFeros self- defence workshops teach you techniques to protect yourself. This includes mental\, verbal\, emotional and physical techniques. We also work on the c onnection between body and mind to better manage stress and difficult situ ations\, such as violence.\n\nOur workshops vary depending on the facilita tors\, as their facilitation style\, preferences and backgrounds influence the structure and content of the workshops. All of our trainers follow th e tradition of feminist self-defence (such as Wen Do).\n\nIn this workshop \, we will support you to:\n\n connect individual experiences of violence to systemic power relations\n build self-confidence and a sense of secur ity\n develop physical and emotional awareness\n cultivate stress manage ment and resilience strategies\n learn psychological\, verbal and physica l self-defence techniques\n\nFor who is this workshop?\n\nThis workshop is aimed at sex workers\, regardless of their gender\, background\, status o r experience. It is designed as a space that takes into account the specif ic realities of sex work and the violence\, discrimination and stigmatisat ion that can be associated with it.\n\nWe do not believe in ‘safe’ spa ces and instead favour the notion of responsibility. We are aware that sit uations of violence can also occur within queer feminist spaces. Our inten tion is to create a space where we can collectively express solidarity\, r espect\, understanding and kindness\, and also have the space to express w hat is wrong\, in order to address and resolve issues in a constructive ma nner.\nPractical information\n\nThe first workshop will take place on Tues day 14 April from 18h30 to 21h30 (doors open 18h) in the offices of Utsopi \, next to Brussels north station. The second and third session will be co nfirmed later. It is possible to attend 1\, 2 or all 3 sessions\, each wil l cover different techniques.\n\nThe workshop will be given in English\, b ut it will also be possible to express yourself in Dutch. We hope that by giving the workshop in English rather than Dutch it can be open to sex wor kers with a migration background who do not speak Dutch or French.\n\nBoth trainers speak English as their second language. It will be possible to s peak Dutch in small group exercises and short translation to Dutch can be offered. Unfortunately we are not able to guarantee translation to other l anguages than Dutch or French\, but do reach out if language is a barrier and we can try to find a solution together.\nTraining style and trainers\n Our workshops are based in experiential learning. This means that we learn by doing. We use an approach that does not create hierarchies. We are fem inists and take into account all differences between people.Our goal is to create group cultures that focus on care and inclusivity.\n\nThis first s ession will be facilitated by murmure (she) and robin (he/they). Both are trained in Wen Do techniques and have experience in various self-defence m ethods\, including martial arts. Both facilitators are white and hold a Be lgian passport. One trainer has experience in sex work.\nFeros and Utsopi? \n\nFeros is a collective of facilitators. We organise activities around c ollective care\, inclusivity and queer feminist self-defence.\n\nUTSOPI is a Belgian organisation that defends the rights of sex workers\, run by an d for those concerned. It fights against stigmatisation and violence\, and carries out political and social advocacy work. UTSOPI also creates space s for support\, information and self-organisation for sex workers.\n\nIn 2 025 Feros and Utsopi organised a first self-defence workshop for sex worke rs together\, in French. During this first workshop\, we worked together t o understand what you need in terms of self-defence in your work context. We will work together to decide on the format\, content and objectives of these workshops. Because this workshop and the collaboration went well we decided to organise 2 series of  3 workshops in 2026\, one series in Engl ish for non-native speakers and one series in French.\nAccessibility\n\nTh e venue is not wheelchair accessible: the street leading to the premises i s impassable and the toilets are awaiting repair by the local council.\n\n A quiet area is available for those who wish to be alone.Noise-cancelling headphones are available. Wide chairs without armrests are provided for la rger people.\n\nWe alternate between seated and standing exercises\, but y ou are free to remain seated\, stand up or leave the room at any time. Thi s workshop is open to everyone\, regardless of physical fitness. However\, we would like to point out that the venue and content of the workshop are unfortunately not fully accessible to people with reduced mobility.\n\nIf you have any specific needs\, please contact us at: training@feros.be or leave us a voice message via DM (Messenger or Instagram).\n\nTransport acc essibility: Brussels north station or metro Rogier. No car parking availa ble. ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.feros.be/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ pushing_0.jpg 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