Crime
In the United States in 2008, a reported rape occurred about every 6 minutes. Law enforcement estimates that only about half the rapes that occurred were actually reported.
An aggravated assault occurs about every 1 minute. One in 5 women can expect to be an assault victim.
Crime does not respect city limits or those of universities, public or private.
Domestic Violence/Date Rape/Intimidation
Over 60% of rapes involve someone known to the victim.
Safe havens such as home, the office, the local bar, your sorority or your dorm room may not be all that safe.
Police
Police have a better chance of apprehending the criminal AFTER the crime has been committed than actually preventing the crime. They simply cannot be in place to prevent every incident.
Vulnerability
Violent criminals generally target victims who are smaller than they are. Everyone is susceptible to crime but you can reduce the odds of being targeted and increase the odds of surviving or prevailing if attacked.
Martial Arts
Martial Arts are very popular and can be a highly effective means of self defense. But some drawbacks can be:
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Martial arts can be highly complex and take years to master
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In an attack, a woman is often taken to the ground. Many martial arts do not teach ground fighting techniques
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Martial arts are not tailored specifically to women nor do they focus on conflict avoidance or specific aspects of rape.
Weapons
Women often think that if they just have the right weapon they will be safe from an assailant. If used properly and under favorable conditions, weapons for self-protection could successfully stop an attack; and there are plenty of success stories to demonstrate their benefit.
A weapon can help you ward off an assailant:
- If you have the proper training and practice using it
- If it is within your reach at the time of attack
- If the weapon works properly
- If you don’t freeze up at the moment of attacked
Any piece of equipment is only as good as the user:
- What if you are in bed sound asleep when you are attacked?
- What if you dropped it?
- What if it didn’t work?
- What if it was taken away from you?
- What if he uses it on you?
Personal safety requires much more effort than buying some device and then sticking it at the bottom of your purse. A major problem with any weapon or protection device is that it cannot substitute for personal empowerment and internal self-confidence.
When you are in a life-threatening situation, you are scared. You must deal with the feelings of fear before you can defend yourself most effectively. You will not be very effective if you struggle to use a device under stress, trying to overcome your fear and fighting the assailant all at the same time. Unless you practice and train under real life conditions, you will have difficulty and the assailant will have the advantage.
The techniques taught in the Model Mugging Self-Defense Course teach your mind and body to work as one under realistic stress. After taking the course you will know that protective devices might enhance your defense but are not essential to it.
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