There are some criminals that feel women are easy prey because they are not as strong as men and could be easily overcome in a mugging, rape or other criminal act. Others may feel that some women would naturally be an easier target because they are quiet and tend to keep to themselves. However, women can prove their mettle by being smarter that the criminal and that means anticipating potential threats and dangers in advance. It is always better to be prepared for the worst and it not happen than being caught unawares.
Anticipation in regards to self-defense for women means that you use whatever is handy in protecting yourself against an attacker. It means buying time while assessing the environment around for a way out or a potential weapon. Anticipation also means you should always carry with you a few items for self-defense that cannot be seen but is within easy reach in case of an attack on you. Of course, what this means is that you must be aware of the items as well as know how to use them comfortably so that the act is effortless should the need arise.
Prevention plays a big part in anticipating a dangerous situation by avoiding it all together when possible. While it may not be possible to eliminate all forms of threats or potential dangers, simply by being very aware our surroundings, one can often prevent certain situations from turning into a dangerous one. Most preventative tips are common sense but sometimes, when in a hurry, you may forget. Here are some no-nonsense preventative tips to help avoid criminal acts against you:
· Trust your instincts. No-one knows the situation better than yourself and so it becomes vitally important to listen to your instincts. It’s that inner gut feeling that makes you hesitate before acting. It’s that itch between your shoulder blades or that creepy sense along your scalp. If you feel the least bit uncomfortable about a situation, get out of it. It is that pure and simple. Do not put yourself in a situation where you feel uncomfortable or one in which you feel might escalate to being beyond your control.
· Awareness is vitally important in terms of self-defence for women and somewhat of a tool that you can add to your personal arsenal. When you are aware of your surroundings and scope out potential trouble, you can avoid many dangerous situations. If it means asking for a security guard to walk you to your car, so be it. Use as much help that is available to you so that you are most aware of the situation you find yourself in. Being aware allows you to adapt to changing situations and makes you a more resource individual.
· When you plan to be out and about in public, do not wear anything flashy like expensive jewellery as that is just a beacon for thieves. Be smart about where you wear items that draw attention to yourself. It is not about letting a potential criminal control how you dress and what you wear but should try to minimise the risks you expose yourself to by taking any necessary precaution.
· Look confident and walk with your head held high. This presents you as a difficult target to muggers, thieves and other criminals. They want easy prey, not someone who will fight them and make their job harder.
· Keep eye contact and keep an aggressive stance to your body if confronted. This tells the would-be criminal that you do not suffer fools and they would likely do so if they attempted anything with you. It is all about attitude.
· Do not put yourself in a situation where you would use a taxi or bus in an isolated situation and do not hitchhike. Public transportation can be safe but only use it when it is busy or crowded to prevent a criminal act against you.
If you cannot prevent an attack against you, the next line of self-defence for women or anyone for that matter is using what is in your environment or on your person to protect yourself. Almost anything can be used as a potential weapon whether it is your teeth, fingers, keys, a bottle of perfume or a rock off the street. If thrown to the ground, you could pick up sand to toss in the attacker’s eyes or use a tree branch to hit them. Palm a piece of glass to slice your attacker with or strike him with a stick. You do what you have to do to gain enough time to escape. This may also mean kicking, screaming, biting, scratching, hitting and more. If the attacker’s pants are baggy, try and pull them down as this will slow their actions and pursuit or use your own belt to try and hit them in the face with the hard buckle. The point is that women are much more resourceful than they are perhaps given credit for or even give themselves.
Carrying mace on your keychain or a taser/tazer in your purse are smart self-defense techniques for women that could save you in a tense situation. Even a loud whistle you can blow can be a deterrent as it would bring attention on your situation as well as the attacker, which they do not want. There are plenty of weapons in a woman’s purse and all you have to do is identify them and practice pulling them out quickly to defend yourself should the situation arise. While it is never a comfortable feeling thinking about being a victim of a criminal act, taking a proactive approach to your safety will help to give you the confidence that you are doing what is in your power to keep yourself safe.
I Wish everyone a safe and fantastic week.
Brian Familar
Extract from “Self Defense For Women” – Self Defense for Women is overflowing with up-to-date resources every woman needs in order to learn how to protect herself. Want to take a class? Which one? We'll walk you through the different kinds of classes and give you an up to the minute look at the latest self-defense products!
Notes: ** Depending on which part of the world you live in, you may find that there are variations with the spelling of certain words. Defense / Defence Taser / Tazer
