Real life self-protection does not come in the form of martial arts expertise or top spy instincts as seen in action movies. In their 2003 book, The Self Defense Manual, security experts David Birdsall and Martin J. Dougherty described that self-protection “encompasses many layers, one of which is the act of self-defense (fighting skills)”.
“Self-protection”, Birdsall and Dougherty added, “also includes alertness, target hardening, confrontation management and a host of other skills used to avoid, deter or prevent attacks – or to deal with them if they do happen.”
Set Boundaries
In the majority of rape cases reported, the victims know their rapist. He could be a casual acquaintance, a neighbor or maybe even a relative. That is why one should have personal boundaries, whether at home, at work, with friends and on the internet.
Putting up boundaries include guarding your personal physical space by making sure others never get too up-close when interacting with you, being careful of who you give out personal information to and who you invite into your house.
It should also be reminded that sharing too much information over networking web sites like Myspace, Facebook and Twitter that could leave a trail for a potential stalker. Therefore, it is only commonsense to withheld details like the company you work for, the name of your children’s school and the places you frequent when interacting online.
Be Wary of Strangers
The Women’s Aid Organization, a Malaysia based organization dedicated to confronting violence against women, recommended in their guidelines for preventing drug-induced rape that one should never leave their drink unattended when dinning outside alone or with someone unfamiliar.
Also, avoid accepting drinks from strangers. Even if an acquaintance offers you a drink, make sure you see it poured or opened to make sure it is not compromised.
You should also be aware of strangers who offer to help out without being asked to, especially when you are at a secluded place. Birdsall and Dougherty noted that a lot of criminals appear as unsuspicious good Samaritans when approaching their targets. So keep an eye out for questionable behaviors and trust your instincts.
Intruder-proof Your Home
In addition to installing dead-bolt locks on the right doors and checking to make sure you have locked all entry ways before going to bed, look around the house and think about what you would do if someone do managed to break in, then mentally map out an escape strategy in case of emergency.
Personal safety expert, Paxton Quigley recommended having a ‘safe room’ in your house. It can be any part of your house – the bedroom, kitchen or a child’s room – which you can quickly get to and lock the door from the inside to call the police or escape through a window or exit so the intruder won’t get to you.
Have an Improvised Weapon
If you can’t create a safe room with a convenient exit, consider placing an improvised weapon where you can conveniently reach should you need to defend yourself before the police arrives.
Look around the house for objects such as cleaning equipments, garden tools or kitchen utensils. Make sure it is tough enough to deliver pain against human flesh and it’s not too cumbersome. With some imagination, practice swinging and jabbing with it for a while to get comfortable wielding it.
Don’t Just Look, Learn to See
Being observant is a learned behavior. One’s awareness should be exercised until looking around becomes automated and the mind stays alert to signs of danger.
When walking alone, avoid doing anything that distracts you from what is going on in your surroundings like talking on your cell phone or rummaging through your handbag. Instead, stay alert and take a quick scan of the area.
Take note of entries and exit points (so you have an escape route), hazards and people passing by or loitering. As you walk, quickly turn your head 90 degrees and look sideways every few minutes so you can catch a glimpse over your shoulder to make sure you are not followed.
Finally, look under and at the back seat of the car before entering to make sure no one is hiding there.
Sources:
The Self Defense Manual by David Birdsall and Martin J. Dougherty
Not an Easy Targetby Paxton Quigley
SAS Survival Handbook by John Wiseman
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