Company Profile
Association of ESD Professionals
Company Overview
The Association of ESD Professionals is a newly formed association, organized to represent and support ESD instructors, advocates, organizations, and others working in violence prevention and subscribing to the values and principles of ESD. ESD stands for Empowerment Self-Defense, an holistic, evidenced-based violence-prevention system that teaches students how to combat the whole spectrum of violence from verbal and emotional harassment to physical force. ESD teaches a variety of tools that are used to interrupt violence without judgement or victim-blaming. ESD also helps its students build confidence, something that serves them well in all aspects of their lives.
It is the mission of the Association to elevate and fortify the ESD profession and ESD professionals and to expand the reach of ESD. Broadly speaking, the Association will have seven (7) functions: 1) Code of Conduct and Conduct Committee; 2) Certification Program; 3) Accreditation & Continuing Education Program; 4) Advocacy & Lobbying; 5) Networking & Events; 6) Career Support; and 7) Magazine, Podcast & Research. The Association strives to support its members and establish ESD as an essential tool for preventing violence while advancing racial & social justice.
The Association of ESD Professionals is a 501(c)(6) Virginia nonprofit corporation and professional membership association. The Association is not funded through donations the way 501(c)(3) organizations are, rather it must generate revenue through membership dues, program fees, corporate sponsorships, publications, and more.