MPs have been told self-defence programmes for girls and women are severely underfunded and providers are being "run ragged".
The Social Service Select Committee is holding an inquiry into the funding of specialist sexual violence social services
The Women's Self Defence Network, Wahine Toa, has been teaching self-defence for 26 years, instructing up to 10,000 girls, and up to 30000 women each year.
Its chair, Alison Broad, told the committee funding must be increased to decent levels.
"Decent funding would allow us all to get out of survival mode and on with the serious work of focussing on good practice, high quality and effective collaborations. It must not be a funding competition."
Ms Broad said she did not think her organisation would benefit from the recent Government announcement of $10.4 million of extra funding for the sexual violence sector.
