Self-Defense & Safety Awareness Tips

Posted on March 18, 2009
Filed Under Fighting back, Self-Defense Tips

This is an article I posted sometime last year but as always a reminder of Self-Defense & Safety Awareness Tips can’t hurt if it keeps us safe!

Fighting Back
It’s important to have a plan in the event of an attack. Build your confidence by taking a self-defense class – it will empower you with the skills to defend yourself.
• Yell forcefully, “No! Go Away! I don’t want trouble! Back Off! No! No!”
• Go for the nose with the heel of your hand.
• Go for the groin with your elbows and knees.

If you have been raped and want to do something about it, find a rape crisis center or friends who can support you.

Resources
RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network)
Call RAINN 24-hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Trust Your Instincts
• Don’t be fooled by appearance – rapists don’t always look dangerous.
• If you feel like you’re being pressured, coerced, dismissed or ignored, act on that feeling and remove yourself from the situation.
• Don’t be afraid to make waves.
• Realize that men misinterpret women, so send clear verbal and non-verbal messages.

Since I mentioned instincts, a friend of mine highly recommended this book - “The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us From Violence” by Gavin De Becker. He talks almost exclusively about our instincts and how listening to and trusting that little voice inside of us - our "gut feeling" can help us to stay safe from violence - and could just save our life.

Video Courtesy of Prime Time Live & Gavin De Becker discussing fear, intuition, and safety.