Approach gender violence as a MEN’S issue involving men of all ages and socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. View men not only as perpetrators or possible offenders, but as empowered bystanders who can confront abusive peers...
I was chatting with a friend today and we got on the subject of what the single most important self defense technique might be. Before I could speak, she took the words right out of my mouth when she said "keeping your cool in a crisis."
Smart lady.
Also easier said than done.
There's lots more you can add than what I've suggested, but I don't want to overwhelm you and keep you from starting with the basic lifesavers which are often enough!
1. Always try to have a plan. If you are going somewhere alone or with kids - even a short distance - prepare for the things that usually go wrong.
You might not think of this as protective offense but head injuries, drowning and choking kill more kids than anything else.
PEPPER SPRAY doesn't always work. It can be a good thing to carry. But you have to have a back up plan.
There are situations where I feel vulnerable, given the fact that I am often single-handedly not only looking out for myself, but my small children. When my firstborn was barely a walker, we got approached in a large, full outdoor parking lot by a panhandler...
I was at a birthday party at one of those play places with my son recently. I understand the pull of the giant blow up toys! I do. Bouncy things and tunnels to crawl through. But some of them are a disaster waiting to happen. Too much chaos, not enough eyes on kids.
10 Things About Criminals:
1. Size matters. Size, strength, height and leverage all have a bearing on which techniques will work. Techniques that work for people of approximately the same size and strength do not always translate. You need a step ladder to reach a shelf, a painters ladder to reach the roof... but you need a rocket ship to reach the moon...
A violent attack can be detected before it occurs by learning to notice various signals. There are steps you can take to disarm an attack at various stages before it occurs. These are not exciting superhero techniques for thwarting crime. They are logical, well-researched, methodical ways of taking yourself and your loved ones off a criminals radar....
...NO instructor should teach [self defense] without addressing the emotional and mental weapon first..."
Don't reason away your instincts. If you get a "bad vibe" from someone don't ignore it. Stay alert and see if you can figure out what your intuition is telling you....
This happened in 2010 but it is still relevant. Nice to hear a story with a good ending like this once in a while....
