I think there are two different ways to protect yourself: an immediate one and a systemic one.
Immediate protection has already been mentioned by many people here. Staying in groups, not going into dangerous neighborhoods, perhaps learning some kind of martial art as self-defense etc..
However, there is also a systemic protection which is more long-term but just as important (maybe even more important). Sexual assault is far more prevalent in cultures where women have a low social standard and things like rape are considered harmless horseplay by a couple of boisterous young men. This is why women have to stand up and fight these notions on an intellectual and systemic level. Talk about it, write about it, bring it to the surface. Don't stick your head in the sand and tell yourself "if it doesn't hit me, I don't care". Because even if you don't become a victim, many others do. Also, if you do become a victim, DO go to the police and report the crime. Even if you feel like they might not take you serious, you must do it. That's the only way anything will ever change. And it's an efficient way to bring down the vast number of unreported cases. This can be seen very well in Sweden. Many people think Sweden has a high rate of rape. However, the truth is that America has a far higher rate of rape. One of the reasons why the Swedish rape-rate SEEMS to so high is because Swedish women ALWAYS go to the police if they are harassed, assaulted or raped. Swedish people (including the police officers) are highly sensitized about this issue and it is not taken lightly. Contrary to other countries where it is casually swept under the carpet into oblivion, Swedish society openly and publicly talks about this problem. The Swedish government has made great efforts during the past 20 years to encourage women to go to the police if they are victimized. This means the dark figure of crimes is far lower than in most other countries where the number seems low because many women don't even report assaults.
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you can protect yourself to an extent
- learning self defense
- being very aware of surroundings
- staying in groups in situations where you may not be familar
- limiting alcohol and drug intake in situations where sexual assaults tend to be more prevalent
Most of these comments don't address majority of rape situations. Being raped out on a street is a RARE thing, most rapists are people you already know, could be a friend, family or boyfriend even, or someone you met briefly. And shooting a gun at someone can sometimes be more traumatising especially if you end up killing them.
Your best bet is to keep a pepper spray on you in a pocket etc, or learn self defence/martial arts.
When you're in a situation where someone is being a bit too touchy and don't listen to you saying no, then that is the first indication that you need to be cautious and get away as quickly as possible/ find a trusted friend and stay with them.
If you're out drinking then just make sure you don't accept a drink from a stranger or someone you barely know, and make sure you watch the drink being made at the bar. If you're drinking with a guy, be sure to see that he's not just waiting for you to become drunk (by drinking far less than you or not at all).
-self defence classes help but every is different under the affects of adrenaline. Despite knowing how to fight i think i would panic under fear and pressure.
-try to be with at least one person wherever you go, and if you are alone, make sure someone you trust knows where you are.
-make use of the things that females generally already carry; like deodorants to spray in their eyes and car keys to inflict pain.
-avoid areas that are seemingly "dodgy". Granted you can't help being attacked wherever you are. But precautions always help.
-if someone is behaving strangely around you, ask for help BEFORE they have the chance to do anything. This is safer
Take a few self defense classes. Have confidence in yourself (don't submit). And don't carry a weapon unless you're certain that it can't be used against you.
In a pinch, my advice is to slam your flat hand into the center of your attacker's throat. Or use three fingers to squeeze his trachea. Use your knees and your elbows when applicable, as they are your strongest points. But most importantly, don't stop fighting. The attacker is most likely depending on the belief that you'll give up.
I firmly believe every woman should take a self defense class. It's also about being vigilant about our surroundings and being mindful of things like never leaving your drink unattended at the bar.
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Many things. Martial arts, guns, traders, pepper spray, Kobutans and knuckles taser.
Depends on the attacker. It does not matter if its a man or a woman, if they are armed or if they know martial arts if the attacker is prepared then he is at a severe advantage.
As such the best tactic in any situation where you are attacked is to escape. That is the first thing that should be said during any self defense class and its the first thing that should be fucking printed on the side of guns not to mention it should be turned into an oath for attaining gun licenses.
Far too many people get into far too much trouble because they did not peace out.
So what happens if you can't escape? Unlikely but someone is in your way and you can't go another direction or around them. At this point you need as much advantage as you can which means tools/weapons. Since most people are not willing to kill you should avoid knives or pistols and instead get yourself something like an impact tool. Whatever it is, use it to get through him or otherwise escape.
Same goes for martial arts, use them only when you can't escape and then escape. I would say that martial arts, even those that are specially designed for self protection has low payout and you need to study for a very long time to get the most out of them. Not a bad idea since they do provide good training and something fun to do instead of other forms of training.Dont listen to all that piss down below. Prevention is the key. Keep to crowds and well lit places. Beasts won't do anything in front of anybody else. Watch who you let take you places as well. If your guts give you a warning trust them. Most of our warning bells are subconscious. That disquieting feeling you get when something's wrong should never be ignored. Your subconscious has just picked up on something that your conscious can't put it's finger on. It's usually triggered by somebodies attitude or words so never ignore. When in doubt walk away no matter how you feel. If a guys following you or harassing you tell another man or a group of men. 99.9% of us have got that protective instinct towards women and kids. It's twisted by pop culture into that white knight crap and social justice warrior piss and its got nothing to do with the guy wanting to sleep with you. A lot of guys are just protective of weaker people and hate liberty takers and bullies. That applies to old people and kids who they also protect so don't be afraid to ask for help if you feel threatened
Don't be a target. Just like burglary. If your door is locked even if it's a shitty lock the burglar would rather steal your unlocked neighbors shit.
If you're walking through a secluded garage at night with with high heels on, your hands full and face buried in your phone you're a target. Look up, and around listen to your environment, walk purposefully. Not saying not to wear your nice heels etc but if you're gonna be alone in a sketch ass play stow the heels and change into your sneaks. Look into some self defense stuff (kuba kiks, small fixed blade, fire arm ect) just be ready to raise all hell if need be and make your looks convey that you're able to raise that hell.
Also don't trust people, my ex was raped because she met a guy who seemed nice and well put together in a public place and trusted him enough to go somewhere private with him. Don't do that shit. If you aren't sure about someone don't go places alone with them and again if you do, be prepared to give em hell.
I can't tell you how many times from tinder I met a girl and with in a short time frame we are alone. They have no clue I have a gun in my waist band and they leave their phone 20 feet away. I'm not a criminal so they're safe but I always think how stupid can you get. Don't be those dumb bitches.
You live in a world with wolves, arm yourself accordingly.I agree with madhatters4. Look from a guys perspective I don't worry about walking out alone at night downtown, or drinking too much at a bar, so I get your concern, but probably can't give you the best advice.
I'd say find a girl that goes out a bit and knows how to handle herself and ask her.
There are of course the obvious things, don't accept a drink from a stranger, watch the bartender poor your drink and take it immediately, never let it out of your sight. Probably stick with girlfriends, and listen when they tell you not to go home with a guy. Don't walk around alone at night.
It really sucks that girls still have to take those precautions in this day and age, but thats just the way it right nowTake a self defence course. But make sure its specialised for female sexual assault. You dont want to waste time and money to train to fight like Jackie Chun. These courses are REALLY GREAT because they explain the real thing. How to spot those guys from a distance, how to roll over to avoid penetration, how and when to attack the face, even how to dress in order to make the guy fight hard just to gain access.
Don't present vulnerability, and don't be where you can be assaulted.
The vast majority of 'sexual assault' is brought on by the actions of the victim - they tell their story all the time. Like, "I went to a frat party and got drunk and this guy groped me." Or, "I was unconscious and he raped me." Geez, really?
The chance of a rapist knocking you down and raping you in broad daylight is practically nil. You have a better chance of getting hit by a bus.
And all your FI friends keep telling you all men are rapists, and it's simply just not true. More fabricated bullshit.
Or how 'bout the claim that 1 in 5 women are raped on a college campus? Let's see, a state universty with 15K students, that's half women, or about 7000, at 20% that would be 1400 rapes every year at every campus? Uh no, the stats are not even in the same realm. More fabricated bullshit.Buy a gun, take firearm classes so you know how to use it responsibly and hope you never have to.
Buy a taser, pepper spray.
Spend years learning martial arts to the extent that you could defend yourself.
Stay in groups and don't wander around on your own at night or in a unfamiliar area.
In my opinion the gun is the most effective choice because even i you know martial arts a man can still overpower you and there are people who can resist being tasered and pepper sprayed.
A gun is a guarantee that they'll stay at a distance.Learn self defense. Don't go into dangerous areas or situations. Don't get so drunk that you're unable to protect yourself.
Get a black belt (if you can't get hardcore training then practice at home everyday)
carry things like legal protective weopons (fire arms license would be great)
always be aware of your sorrundings and learn how to use your sorrundings
Don't trust people too much cause sometimes we can't even trust our parents
Be in a group if you are out at night or if your going to a quiet place
keep a calm mind when you are attacked
keep your reflexes sharp
And pray to god that you never even have encounters with rapistsBy being confident. By examining pickpockets and more extreme types of thieves the exclusuvely picked targets which had a lack of confidence in their body language, i think its safe to say it is similar for all such crimes where an attacker looks for a target such as is also the case with rape and sexual assault.
There's a product called Rapex that is sorta like a sleeve you inset like a tampon. It has razor sharp spikes lining the inside, and anyone who forces their way in will have to go to a doctor to get it removed. It's unbelievably painful! Check it out!
I carry a knife everywhere I go and keep it near. Stab stab stab, you should have never tried to rapey rapey you person with penis.
Self-defense classes might be a good idea; otherwise "safety in numbers" shouldn't be underestimated.
In the old days, women used to wear giant hairpins and stab anyone who sexually assaulted them in the genitals. I'm down with that.
Also just be aware that if something like this does happen to you, it's not your fault for not protecting yourself properly.stay in groups of people because that way, if a guy or some guys are out looking for girls to rape/sexually assault, they will be less likely to get you since you're in a group of people and there's others to call the cops on them if they try to get you than when you're alone because if they get you when you're alone, nobody else is there to call and get help
Always be careful.
Don't go alone on a quiet empty street.
Carry pepper spray or some protective weapon.
Learn self defenseTake a self defence class. It's the best way to protect yourself.
Tasers, classes, pepper spray, awareness when it's dark out or when you're seemingly alone.
Self-defense classes should do the thing, you can really learn a lot from them.
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