Self-Defense – Is it for You?
Although www.WPSN.net advocates using preventive techniques so as not to find yourself in a dangerous situation, it is true that dangerous situations can happen. Self defense can help someone feel more secure in her own ability to defend herself. It is for this reason the following information is supplied. However, each situation is different and there is no sure method of defense that will always work, nor is there a method that can guarantee that you will not be victimized.
Philosophical Outlook
A good self-defense program should reflect these philosophical points in its outlook. Women do NOT ask for, cause, invite, or deserve to be assaulted. Women and men sometimes exercise poor judgment about safe behavior, but that does NOT make them responsible for their attacks and for an attacker’s use of violence to overpower, control, and abuse them. Whatever a woman’s decision in a given self-defense situation, whatever action she does or does not take, she is NOT at fault. A women’s decision to survive the best way she can must be respected.
Self-defense classes should not be used as judgment against a victim/survivor. Good self-defense programs do not “tell” an individual what she”should” or “should not” do. A program should offer options, techniques, and a way for analyzing situations. A program may point out what usually works best in most situations, but each situation is unique and the final decision rests with the person actually confronted by violence.
Empowerment is the goal of a good self-defense program. The individual’s right to make decisions about her participation must be respected. Pressure should not be brought to bear in any way to get a woman to participate in an activity in which she is hesitant or unwilling.
Common Questions About Self-Defense
What is self-defense?
Self-defense is a set of awareness, assertiveness, verbal confrontation skills with safety strategies and physical techniques that enable someone to successfully escape, resist, and survive violent attacks. A good self-defense course provides psychological awareness, verbal skills, and assault prevention skills, not just physical training.
Does self-defense work?
Self-defense training can increase your options and help you prepare responses to slow down, de-escalate, or interrupt an attack. Like any tool, the more you know about it, the more informed you are to make a decision and to use it.
Is self-defense a guarantee?
There are NO guarantees when it comes to self protection. However, self-defense training can increase your choices/options and your preparedness.
Is there a standard self-defense course?
There are many formats for training. They may be as short as two hours or as long as 8 weeks or a semester. Whatever the length of the program, it should be based on maximizing options, simple techniques, and respect for women’s experience.
Must I train for years to learn to defend myself?
A basic course can help you develop skills and concepts. Women often practice good self-defense strategies without knowing it.If I use physical self-defense, would I get hurt worse? What does “hurt worse” mean? Rape survivors speak eloquently about emotional pain long after physical pain heals. The point of using self-defense is to de-escalate a situation and get away as soon as possible. Knowing self-defense increases your options.
How can I tell a “good” course from a “bad” one?
A good course covers critical thinking about assault prevention techniques, self-defense strategies, assertiveness, powerful communication skills, and easy-to-remember techniques. The instructor respects and responds to your fears and concerns. Instruction is based on the belief that women can act competently, decisively, and take action for their own protection. Essentially, a good course is based on intelligence and not muscle. It offers tools to enable a woman to connect with her own strength and power.
