CVPSD Adds Knife Disarm Training to Curriculum
- william demuth
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 11
New Course Equips Students with Life-Saving Skills Against Blade Threats
FREEHOLD, NJ – August 9, 2025 – The Center for Violence Prevention and Self-Defense (CVPSD), a non-profit organization dedicated to personal safety education, has announced the addition of a specialized Knife Disarm Training course to its curriculum. This new program is designed to provide civilians and professionals with the critical skills and knowledge needed to respond to a knife threat in a realistic and effective manner.
The decision to offer this training comes in response to an increased demand for advanced self-defense skills that go beyond traditional de-escalation and situational awareness. The course will focus on a scientific, evidence-based approach to understanding edged-weapon dynamics, emphasizing avoidance and de-escalation as the primary defenses. When physical intervention is unavoidable, the training will teach simple, biomechanically sound techniques to disarm an attacker, minimize injury, and create an opportunity to escape.
"Knife-related incidents are a serious concern, and our goal is to empower people with a proactive mindset and effective skills to survive a potentially deadly encounter," said a CVPSD representative. "Our training is not about engaging in a fight, but about creating space and a safe exit. We believe that knowledge is the most powerful tool for prevention."
The curriculum will cover threat recognition, verbal redirection, defensive positioning, and practical disarm techniques taught in a controlled, safe environment. Participants will work with specialized training knives to practice skills and build confidence. This course is intended for individuals seeking to enhance their personal safety and for professionals in fields such as security and law enforcement.
While CVPSD emphasizes awareness and avoidance as the first lines of defense, the organization recognizes that there are rare but critical situations where physical action is unavoidable. Knife attacks are fast, chaotic, and often leave victims with little time to react. The new course aims to give students the mindset, strategy, and mechanics needed to survive.
“There is no such thing as a safe knife defense,” said Shawn Lebrock, Executive Director of CVPSD. “But doing nothing is not a strategy. This course gives people a chance—through training, not fantasy.”
What the Knife Disarm Course Covers
How knife attacks happen in the real world: ambushes, intimidation, slashing, and stabbing scenarios
Understanding movement patterns, distance management, and blade angles
High-percentage disarm strategies that prioritize control and survival
Realistic pressure-testing drills with training blades
First-aid considerations for stab or slash wounds
Legal and ethical boundaries of self-defense involving knives
CVPSD’s Knife Disarm Training is available as an add-on module in its advanced self-defense workshops and can also be offered as a dedicated standalone seminar. It is geared toward civilians, educators, healthcare workers, and anyone working in close-contact environments where edged weapon threats are a possibility.
Knife Disarm Training with Purpose
CVPSD maintains a trauma-informed, safety-first approach to all physical training. Classes are held in a controlled environment using realistic but non-lethal training blades. The course does not glamorize violence—it educates students on how to mitigate it, survive it, and seek help after an incident.
Online Violence Prevention and Defensive Tactics Training Brought To You By Generous Supporters
The Center for Violence Prevention and Self-Defense (CVPSD) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing violence by educating at-risk individuals and communities.
Through a combination of online and in-person training, workshops, and seminars, CVPSD provides practical self-defense skills, violence prevention strategies, risk assessment tools, and guidance on setting personal and relationship boundaries.
Partnering with public and private organizations, schools, nonprofits, community groups, and government agencies—including those under the General Services Administration (GSA)—CVPSD works to empower individuals with the knowledge and skill.