Important Tips for Self-Defense

Written by Katie Silivos Friday, March 05 2010

Every two minutes, a sexual assault occurs somewhere in America, according to a Department of Justice survey. You never want to think it could happen to you, but what are you doing to protect yourself? The first line of defense is learning defense.

“Safety professionals often say, ‘What you think you know will kill you',” says Angie M. Tarighi, CEO of the Women’s Self-Defense Institute in New Jersey. “Victims of violent crimes are often blinded by the familiarity and normalcy of their surroundings, leaving them to think crimes ‘came out of nowhere,’ when in fact there were plenty of warning signs.”

At the Women’s Self-Defense Institute, Tarighi teaches defense that is based not on one strength, but rather one that utilizes the much more feasible asset women possess – their minds.

By taking the initiative to learn awareness skills, criminal mind-set, boundary setting, and key physical moves as a last option, women can limit the chances of being on an attacker’s radar and protect themselves if they do happen to land in a bad situation.

According to Nathan Nowak, president of Trinity Body Mind Spirit in Atlanta, every woman needs to come up with her own protection plan.

“Go through every ‘what if’ situation and know what you would do,” says Nowak, who also emphasizes the importance of teaching women to fight in a smart and effective manner. “It’s scary and uncomfortable to mentally put yourself in situations you don’t want to be in, so we avoid it until it is too late.”

Much like the Women’s Self-Defense Institute, Trinity first and foremost teaches prevention. Then, its five-week, self-defense course quickly escalates to teach women the weapons they naturally possess, basic target areas of an attacker, fighting off multiple attackers, and much more, until you finally must defend yourself against an instructor’s attack.

“You have to learn the techniques, build your strength, and practice, just like anything else,” says Nowak. “So if the time ever comes, your adrenaline takes over, your brain goes on autopilot, and you access that file labeled ‘self defense.’ is five-weeks long enough? No. But you have to start somewhere.”

And therein lies a common thread among self-defense instructors: Start now.

“Eighty percent of women who come through our classes,” says Tarighi, “are women who have already been victims of violent attacks. We need to escape the denial and invest in teaching women how to defend themselves from the beginning.”

Quick Tips to Defend Yourself

Enroll in a Self-Defense Class
Tarighi encourages women to look for RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) instructors in your area, who all focus on realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. Like the Women’s Self-Defense Institute, RAD programs are comprehensive, women-only courses that begin with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, and then progress to the basics of hands-on defense training. There are more than 3,000 RAD instructors around the country, and once you complete the course, you have a free lifetime invitation return to the program to refresh your skills.

Remain Aware
Always remain focused on your surroundings and trust your instincts. If a situation feels dangerous or uncomfortable, get out. Women are incredibly savvy, but often overrule their instincts by being unreasonably trustworthy. Attackers tend to choose victims who look weak, submissive, and unmindful of their surroundings.

Portray Confidence
Presentation/acting is half the battle when it comes to fending off potential attackers. The last thing an attacker wants is a female willing to fight, make noise, or cause trouble. The best way to portray self-confidence is to walk tall, holding your shoulders back and head high. Greet people by looking them in the eye for at least three to five seconds, and avoid crossing your arms or pocketing your hands, which makes it more difficult to free them if you are attacked.

Prepare to Get Ugly
When someone who seems like a possible aggressor approaches you, don't be afraid to act or say something unfriendly. This strategy can discourage him from making his move. “Women need to use body language, or words if necessary, to send a message that says I’m a women that is in control of myself, and you aren’t going to play this game with me,” Tarighi says

Know the Key Striking Points
There are several vulnerable areas on the human body that can be exploited should you be attacked. “Instead of flailing ineffectively, conserve your energy by using a few quick and effective tactics,” Nowack says. Here are some suggestions:

Eyes: Gouge your fingers into attacker’s eyes. Press your thumbs near the tear ducts and scoop outward.

Ears: Cup your hands and slap the ears to cause a possible concussion. Twist, pull, or rip the ears to disorient an attacker.

Throat: Punch or strike the throat, or grab, squeeze, and/or rip out the attacker’s esophagus.

Groin: Kick into the groin, or grab and crush the testicles of a male attacker.

Use your Head: If you are grabbed from behind, slam the back of your head into his face. Continue to hit his face with your head until dropped (be prepared, and try to land on your feet). You can also stomp on his foot or kick him in the knee.

Women’s Self-Defense Institute
Trinity Fitness

Katie Silivos is a freelance writer and public relations practitioner living in Atlanta, Ga. She has worked with Business to Business magazine, DeltaSky, IntheMix magazine, JEZEBEL, Kitchen Trends, Wine Country This Week, Las Vegas Tribune, and the Daily Advocate. She has written speeches for individuals, such as Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Dr. James Tally of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.