Val Dohrer is proud to be the co-founder of Empowerment In Self-Defense, a Los Angeles-based Self-Defense organization that aims to provide verbal boundary-setting and physical skills to all people. With a background as the Associate Director of the Young Actors’ Theatre Camp based in Santa Cruz, CA, Val has mentored hundreds of students ages 8-18 to navigate the professional expectations for a career in the performing arts. Empowerment Self-Defense teaches that everyone, regardless of physical ability, socioeconomic status, race, gender identity, sexuality, and every other group in existence, has the right to safety. We do not all enter the world with the same access to safety and vital resources, but we can learn to use what we are given to keep ourselves and those we love safe. She focuses on providing resources to those who would otherwise not have access. Empowerment In Self-Defense offers free, low-cost, and donation-based classes in the Los Angeles Area and online.