Unfortunately, assault is a rising problem, and a problem that
could be prevented if women knew some simple ways to reduce their risk. One way
that a woman can reduce their risk for assault is to know how to defend
themselves and take measures to ensure that they will be able to defend
themselves such as taking a self-defense class or carrying pepper spray on
their keys. I took martial arts for 3 years, and every few months, the place
that I went to put on a self-defense class specifically for women. Besides just
teaching them how to get away from an attacker, and get out of various
constricting positions, they received a 5 or 6-inch baton that they could
attach to their key chains. This could be used if they were ever assaulted, and
is used for hitting pressure points, or other weaker areas on the body to help
them get away. I think that this program was very beneficial, and should be
made more widely available in communities. I go to concerts and events, so
carrying pepper spray is a good way to prevent a bad situation. I know that
most of the girls in my sorority, if not all of them, carry pepper spray on
their keys even when they are walking around campus just to be safe. In most
cases, the attacker is male, and so they are stronger. That is why it is
important to have a method of protecting yourself other than relying on
strength or wit, since most people will forget things in the moment.
Some additional ways that a woman can reduce her risk for being
assaulted is by knowing some tips that can keep them from being targeted by an
assailant. Some important things to remember include being aware of your
surroundings, have your phone in an easily assessable place, don’t carry a lot
(it weighs you down, and in some cases makes you seem more vulnerable), walk
with confidence, don’t walk with earphones in, and don’t panic. Some tips to
remember: your elbow is the strongest point on your body, so use it if you can;
if you get grabbed, pinch the skin on the back of their knee or inside their
elbow, there are nerves there; don’t be sympathetic if your instincts are
telling you otherwise, this is a tactic that some men use; don’t be afraid to
yell or try and fight the person off. A tip that some people give is to make it
know if you have pepper spray on you as a method of deterring the person trying
to attack you.
All of this information, I have gotten from various self-defense
things over time, but this post on tumblr (a popular blogging site that I use)
really opened my eyes, and can give further information/insight into how to
protect yourself: http://itssofluffy-im-gonna-die.tumblr.com/post/12389331146/through-a-rapists-eyes-pls-take-time-to-read
