By Fergus Dullaghan
Almost six years ago, I ran my first self-defence course for women in Geneva. I wanted to do something to help local women after my wife was mugged. The damage she suffered wasn’t limited to stolen items, stitches and a trip to hospital in an ambulance – it was the aftermath. Months (maybe years) of jumping at shadows, disrupted sleep and anxiety.
I was also upset and angry. So as a life-long martial artist, I wanted to do my bit to stop it happening to other women in the city. The course was really successful and, although I was slowed down by the pandemic, the feedback I was given, planted the seed for me to open my own English language martial arts club in Geneva in 2023 (www.swiftacademy.ch).
Mostly, I focus on teaching my young daughters and their friends the sport of judo. But this year, I’m revisiting the theme of women’s self-defence in a series of three courses across the year. In the first course (with the kind support of La Découverte school), we will be looking at mugging again.
Why am I revisiting that theme? Well, firstly, although Geneva is a very safe city by international standards, robbery and mugging are actually on the rise here (and in Switzerland more broadly).
Secondly, it is a technically far simpler area to address than many others, so it is a good place to start for people with limited experience. Finally, (and not to underplay the trauma mugging can inflict), it is a psychologically safer topic for us to deal with first than some. Feeling at ease and safe with the group and particularly the instructor is really important, before tackling more complex topics, (which we will be doing later in the year).
Course places will be limited owing to the size of the hall, so please register to assure yourself of a place.
What will we cover?
• What to watch out for: How muggers plan and set up their attacks
• How to avoid being singled out as a target
• Fighting back: Simple techniques that can keep you safe
• Fighting back vs handing over – a discussion.
About the instructor
Fergus Dullaghan is a martial artist with 40 years of experience. A former elite-level judo competitor, he represented Wales for six years and won a Commonwealth silver medal.
He is a qualified MovNat Combatives self defence instructor, holds black belts in three martial arts (judo, karate and wing chun kung fu) and is graded/experienced in several other martial arts, including aikido/ Brazilian jiu jitsu/kickboxing and Muay Thai. He is the Swiss national lead instructor for the Wing Chun International Association
His writing has been published in several leading US and UK martial arts and fitness magazines, including:
• Blackbelt
• Martial Arts Illustrated
• Combat
• Fighters
• Fighting Fit
• Jiu Jitsu Style
• Train Hard Fight Easy
SELF-DEFENSE COURSE FOR WOMEN
16 February 2026
18h30-20h30
Ecole de la Découverte
Avenue Sécheron 11
1202 Genève
Cost CHF 80/person
