Women are subjected to physical assault every day. Appropriate defenses are available and simple. This is a discussion of how to avoid being in a position to be assaulted and what to do if your initial defenses don’t work.
Violence against women is a problem which has reached pandemic proportions. One out of three women, globally, has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused. The abuser often is someone known to her.
Vaw fits several categories, and the violence can be carried out by individuals as well as governments or rulers.
Some of the forms perpetrated are:
- Rape
- Domestic violence
- Harassment
- Female infanticide,
- Obstetric violence,
- And more.
In America, sexual violence on college campuses is a major problem. A Campus physical assault Study suggests women at universities are at greater risk for experiencing sexual assault.
As a nation, America has a way to go to abolish sexual assaults. Until eradication happens, training women to protect themselves makes a big difference.
Stories like French writer Jackie Parker’s “I’ve Been Attacked, But I’m Fine,” and ESPN Executive Keri Potts’ “How I Escaped a Rapist,” are just two of the many stories making compelling cases for vigorous defense.
Surveys administered since the 1970s has shown battling back is the best approach. Research such as Kleck & Tark, Reekie & Wilson and Ullman & Knight show women who react with forceful resistance diminish the occurrences of sexual assault.
Forceful Resistance
For years women have been told that fighting back only makes things worse. Don’t listen. That’s not sensible advice.
Forceful resistance is the most effective strategy to ward off sexual assaults.
As a society, America has a long journey to eliminate sexual assault. Until then, teaching women to defend themselves makes a big difference.
Stories like French journalist Jackie Parker’s “I’ve Been Attacked, But I’m Fine,” and ESPN Executive Keri Potts’ “How I Escaped a Rapist,” are just two of the many stories making compelling cases for forceful resistance.
Studies since the 1970s have shown a proactive defense is the best strategy. Research such as Kleck & Tark, Reekie & Wilson and Ullman & Knight show women who react with forceful resistance greatly diminish the numbers of sexual assault.
Self-Protection Is Not Only About Fighting
Self-protection is about de-escalation, awareness, avoidance and learning how to be more assertive. It means granting yourself license to do what may hitherto be unthinkable.
Techniques taught are based on quick reactions, swift movements, and leverage. With the right training, women can discern warning signs and are more transparent about their actions and are more willing to act on behalf of their welfare.
Dealing With Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse victims often choose to keep their victimization secret. This is a danger to self and others who may become the next victim. To break the wall of silence:
Know what sexual abuse is physical assault is an offense of a sexual type which ranges from unwanted sexual touching to rape.
Talk to law enforcement.
If you go this route, you aren’t required to press charges, but talking to the police may keep someone else from being assaulted — especially if police know who your perpetrator was.
Keep documents
Get out immediately if you are sexually abused and are living with the abuser. Nicholas Wooldridge, a noted Las Vegas criminal defense attorney recommends relevant documents to take when choosing to leave are:
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- Citizenship papers
- Immigration documents
- Health cards
- Credit cards
- Bank book(s)
- Social security card
- Driver’s license
More information can be found at women’s shelters, hospitals, women’s centers and attorney referral services.
Lowering Risk Of Sexual Assault
To keep risky situations from escalating, there are some common sense guidelines to follow. These include:
- Identifying Risky Situations
- Trusting Your Gut
- Realize Perpetrators Could Be Someone You Know
- Use Verbal Resistance
Identifying Risky Situations
Persons often believe rapes happen when walking home alone or waiting in an unlocked car. In truth, around 80% of rapes are perpetrated by someone the victim already knows. Roughly half of the attacks either occur at home or within one mile of home.
Being isolated increases the risk for rape as it provides the perpetrator with an advantage.
Trusting Your Gut
“Something was off,” say many women when talking about a perpetrator’s behavior before an assault. Often, the perpetrator acts in ways which make the woman uncomfortable. Women don’t always trust the feeling, and rape prevention programs teach it is ok to rely on instinct.
Realize Perpetrators Could Be Someone You Know
Knowing the perpetrator might make it difficult to come to terms with the threat the individual presented. Women are often taught they need to be polite and not hurt others’ feelings. While the feelings are understandable, they can delay required action which may be effectual in stopping the assault.
Use Verbal Resistance
Pleading with the person to stop is a natural reaction to the perpetrator is known to the victim. But it is not effective. Powerful ways to fight back during sexual are assault are using potent verbal and physical resistance.
# Self-Defense Techniques Each Woman Should Know
Straight Punch
A straight punch can be efficacious and simple. Drive from the ball of your foot and push your fist forward simultaneously. Drive from the ground and hit with the knuckles of our index and middle fingers. Aim for your attacker’s eye, nose or throat.
Front Kick To The Groin
A forward kick to the crotch is similar to the straight punch, and both are compelling moves which place you on the attack. To deliver, drive the hips forward, bend your knee and rapidly extend your knee forcibly. To best position for this defensive maneuver, imagine your kick travels through the attacker’s groin and goes through the top of their head.
Knee Kick
If the person is close, you may not have enough room for a straight punch or a front kick. Instead, kick with your knee and drive your knee straight up to the groin. Be sure to use the bony tip of your knee and not the thigh. If possible clutch your assailant where the neck and shoulder meet — and hang on. This gives additional leverage and makes the knee-kick harder and more effective.
Bear Hug Defense
If the assailant tries to ‘bear hug,’ the natural reaction is to attempt to pull their arms away. Instead, stoop as low as possible and squirm. By lowering your center of gravity, you are both more stable and more difficult to lift. Additionally, you have a new range from where you can knee-strike the attacker, throw a punch or do a groin kick — or all of the above.
Hit Like A Girl
The possibility of being a target of physical assault is scary. There is no need to live a paranoid life and forgetting to trust your intuition.
Make the phrase, “I hit like a girl,” your motto.