Welcome Back! We have been overwhelmed by the support for our new Women's Self Defense book by board members Grandmaster Crandall and Master Lynn Jessee. Women's Self Defense in a Changing World is now available on Amazon.com in Print and E-Book Print Replica editions. With more than 750 downloaded, we thought we would continue to focus on this important topic today. Here is an excerpt regarding Prevention and Awareness...
Many people who seek to learn self-defense think primarily of the physical skills of blocking, striking, or throwing an opponent. Yet, prevention and avoidance are perhaps the most critical self-defense skills of all. If you become adequately skilled in these areas, you may never have to use the physical aspects of self-defense. And, if you ARE attacked, these skills will put you in a better position to defend yourself physically.
Prevention and avoidance start with awareness. The importance of awareness cannot be overstated. This is especially true for women, who may be chosen in disproportionate numbers as potential targets by assailants. Informing yourself is the first step in awareness. How do perpetrators choose potential targets? What environments, circumstances, habits, or behaviors place you at a greater risk? How can you learn to better assess possible threats to your safety in different situations? What tactics can you employ to deter a physical assault before it starts?
Gaining insight into factors which may impact your safety can give you strategies to make the best choices about your personal security, therefore lowering your risk of becoming the target of a crime or physical assault. It’s not about becoming paranoid, it’s about becoming aware.
Who is the Attacker?
It is worth noting that throughout this book “the attacker” is usually referred to in the singular and sometimes by the pronoun “he.” It is important to realize that an assailant may be a male or female of any age, or even a group of teenagers hanging out on a street corner. Do not ignore safety precautions due to preconceived notions of what you believe a typical attacker should look like.
How Does an Attacker Choose a Victim?
When an assailant is looking for their next target, they observe you. Evaluating your posture, demeanor, habits, and behaviors allows them to calculate their chances of success (robbery, assault, or rape). They would rather be certain of an easy target than to risk an unsuccessful attempt that could potentially draw the attention of bystanders who could act as witnesses.
For a perpetrator, the ideal target is someone who is available and vulnerable. An available target is someone who is alone, in an isolated area away from potential witnesses, or perhaps in an area that obstructs the view of others (a location the assailant has probably chosen in advance to observe potential targets). A vulnerable target is someone who appears weaker, easily intimidated, unaware or distracted, or appears as if they would not be able to react because they are compromised in some way (intoxicated, disabled, or even just encumbered by carrying several bags or packages). Predators do not tend to prey on those who may be stronger than they are.
One of the reasons women are targeted in disproportionate numbers is because of the perception that they are weaker and less likely to fight back. Of course this is not always true, but it is one reason why a perpetrator may choose a female over a male target.
It should be said that even if you don’t fit the profile of a typical victim, and are a physically strong and athletic female, you could still be targeted simply by bad luck. Sooner or later, everyone who throws dice rolls snake eyes. Based on this, you must always be ready.
That's all for now. Until next time...Be Safe!
P.S. If you would like get your own copy of Women's Self Defense in a Changing World, CLICK HERE
P.P.S If you live in Central New York and are interested in attending our upcoming Women's Self Defense Seminar on April 24, CLICK HERE for details and to register.
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