A Few Strategies for Self-Defense

Experts point to several strategies that may be useful for women to use against an attacker—whether a stranger or someone they know. Many attackers are motivated, at least in part, by the need to over-power, control, and humiliate you. If you are forceful enough, the would-be attacker might decide to leave you alone, or you may buy enough time to
run for safety.

To learn to how to properly use many of the following techniques, women might want to consider taking a course in self-defense. By practicing these tactics ahead of time, women can increase the chance of success in a real attack situation.

Here a few strategies you might use:

• Scream for help, or carry a whistle and blow it. This tactic will probably only be helpful if you are in an urban or crowded area.
• Strike out and aim for vulnerable areas. Jab a key, pen, pencil, or your fingers in the attacker's eyes or face.
• If attacked from behind, stomp hard on the assailant's instep with your heel, then jab your elbow into the attacker's solar plexus, or right beneath his ribcage.
• If the attacker grabs you, make him loosen his hold by grabbing or hitting him in the groin area. There are several methods for doing this. It's most successful when you grab or hit the testicles from underneath.
• Repeat loudly phrases like "let me go," and don't be afraid to use other assertive language.
• When about to be hit, tuck in your elbows and take the force of the blow on your arms, not your chest.
• If about to be slapped, roll away from the blow while tucking your head down and lifting up your shoulders.
• Try not to let an attacker force you into a car. The vast majority of women who are forced into a car are raped, seriously injured, or killed.
• Use your gut instinct if the assailant has a weapon, experts stress. If you can easily run to safety, there are a few tactics you might use. For instance, you might throw leaves, dirt, or rocks in the attacker's face or toss your purse or wallet at the attacker's knife hand as you run away. However, in the face of severe physical violence, a wiser strategy may be not to resist but to try to save your life.
• Avoid personal protection devices, such as stunguns or mace, unless you have received proper training, many police experts say.