Earlier this month, Trish Hoffman, founder of Women Against Crime (WAC) in Albuquerque, had the opportunity to speak at the inaugural Beyond the Crime Convention—a first-of-its-kind event for true crime fans, survivors, advocates, and community educators. Held in Albuquerque, the convention brought together hundreds of people united by a shared interest in public safety, justice, and real-life stories of survival and advocacy.
Trish was front and center, offering live demos, answering questions, and showing attendees how self-defense training can be a powerful tool for personal safety and empowerment.
A Unique Space for Crime Awareness and Prevention
While many booths at the event focused on topics such as missing and endangered Indigenous women or provided resources for families of unsolved crimes, Women Against Crime was the only self-defense-focused presence in the room.
“There wasn’t another booth like mine,” Trish said. “I was the only one there talking about crime prevention, hands-on safety, and teaching people what they could actually do to protect themselves.”
What made the experience even more eye-opening was realizing how many attendees were completely new to the idea of proactive self-defense. Many people who stopped by the WAC booth had never considered taking a class before, simply because they didn’t know where to start. Trish’s presence helped bridge that gap, offering real-world knowledge, approachable conversation, and a clear next step for anyone ready to take their personal safety into their own hands. It became clear that prevention and empowerment aren’t just add-ons to crime discussions, they’re essential.
Trish’s Role and Reach
Throughout the event, Trish led two self-defense presentations in front of large ballroom audiences, giving attendees a taste of what WAC classes are like and encouraging them to sign up. Her demos were well received, and attendees asked everything from how to book private sessions to whether Trish offers training at workplaces or community groups.
“It was a great opportunity to reach a larger audience,” she said. “Instead of teaching 10 or 20 people at once, I was able to speak to hundreds, many of whom had never taken a self-defense class before.”
What stood out most? Hearing from past students who trained with Trish 20 years ago—and still remember the lessons. “That really hit me,” she shared. “It’s proof that what I teach sticks with people. Even after all that time, it made an impact.”
Key Takeaways from the Convention
Crime Prevention Isn’t Always Top of Mind—Until It Is.
Many women assume “it won’t happen to me,” but attending a self-defense session or hearing real stories can be the wake-up call that sparks action.
You Don’t Need to Be in Shape to Take a Self-Defense Class.
“One misconception is that you have to be physically fit to take these classes. That’s simply not true. My courses are built for all skill levels and body types,” Trish emphasized.
Real Crime Resonates Deeply.
The convention included presentations by the director of Night Stalker (the Netflix documentary) and other investigative storytellers, including those covering the West Mesa Murders—an unsolved case close to home. These stories reminded everyone in attendance how real the threat can be, and how crucial it is to be prepared.
Self-Defense Creates a Ripple Effect.
“Even if just 10 people take a class and walk away safer, that’s 10 people who may avoid a dangerous situation—and who can share those lessons with others.”
Contact Women Against Crime Today!
This was the first Beyond the Crime convention, but it won’t be the last. And if there’s another one next year, Trish hopes to be back, possibly with an even bigger presence. “I didn’t realize how many people loved true crime and would be interested in learning how to protect themselves. This gave me new ideas for how to grow WAC and serve even more people in our community.”
Being part of this event wasn’t just about talking self-defense. It was about standing alongside survivors, families, advocates, and investigators, all working toward a safer world. For Trish, it reaffirmed her mission and reminded her why Women Against Crime exists. “Whether I’m teaching 10 people or 100, if even one of them walks away feeling stronger, more aware, and more prepared—that’s a win.”
Ready to Take Control of Your Safety? Whether you’re a crime podcast fanatic, a busy mom, or just someone who wants to feel more confident walking to your car—Women Against Crime is here for you. Book your class today!
