HOMELESS women are set to be taught self defence tactics to protect themselves against crime and exploitation.

The Porch Day Centre is organising a free class this Sunday from 3pm until 5pm at Richard Benson Hall in Cowley Road in partnership with the city council and Oxford Kickboxing club.

Guests will learn about how to reduce the risk of being attacked, escape strategies, and techniques for defending themselves against assaults.

Black belt instructor Sifu Tayyaba Hameed will lead the session.

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It comes after research by homeless charity Crisis found that rough sleepers are 17 times more likely to suffer violence than the general public.

One in four women experiencing homelessness has been sexually assaulted while sleeping on the streets, according to the organisation.

Kizzie Flynn-Jones, senior project worker at The Porch day centre, said: “We are excited to provide this free self-defence seminar to women who are experiencing homelessness or are vulnerably housed.

"We as a service understand the vulnerabilities that women face on a day to day basis and wanted to offer a class where women could learn self-defence techniques from a female black belt instructor and build confidence all within an empowering environment.”

Women can register for the class by emailing kizzie@theporch.org.uk