Verbal self defense, the use of your voice in a threatening situation, is an extremely important tool in protecting yourself. How? Uncommon to popular belief, criminals do not pounce on an individual when the mood strikes them. They attack when they see an opportunity available to them. If it’s easy, they will take it. They will prey on those who are weak, unaware, and an uncomplicated target. Criminals will act on premeditation, or stalk their victims ahead of time before attacking. If you show that you are familiar with your surroundings, walk with confidence, and give off the impression of strength, a criminal will not want to work to fight you.
Keep you eyes on everyone. Just because they might not ‘look’ like an attacker, doesn’t mean that some guy in a business suit can’t be one. If someone is approaching you, look them in the eye, hold out your hands in front of you and yell “Stay Back!” or “Stop!” Most sexual assailants interviewed say that they leave a woman alone if she showed that she wasn’t someone to be messed with or wasn’t afraid to fight back.
It’s called putting up a verbal boundary or verbal self defense. Many who have used this as part of their self defense training say they were amazed when they stepped toward a threatening stranger and yelled “Back Off!” in a strong, assertive, projecting voice. And the would-be assailant did just that.
Using pepper sprays can work in the same manner. Just by aiming at a potential attacker and yelling, “I have pepper spray!” can be a deterrent. That’s if it is in your hand at the time.
Pepper sprays are only effective if properly used. Telling your would-be assailant that you have pepper spray… and it’s at the bottom of your purse is not effectively using it, or any weapon or self-defense product, for that matter. Whether its mace, a stun gun, or even your keys, have it readily available, in your hand. More self defense products can be found online at on this great website
Knowing how to use these devices also plays a huge role in protection. You must know how the device works and be familiar with it. How? Practice. Practice. Practice.
When using mace, go outside and shoot a tree. See how the pepper spray really works. See the distance it takes to reach a target. If you’re going to use your keys, pre-plan ahead of time just exactly where on an attacker you would jab them. The eyes and throat are terrific targets. Tell yourself, “I will use this if I feel my life is in danger – No Question.” and without hesitation.
There are places that actually have computer simulated mace practice rooms. They are extremely life-like. These are the same simulation rooms that police and security officials use for their own training. Check with you local law enforcement to see if they are available in your area.
This type of training helps to program the mind during adrenal-stress. Or another form is called Body Alarm Reaction (B.A.R). You must train the mind with a stressful situation or adrenaline response to know just how you will react during an actual confrontation or attack. How you react in a B.A.R. moment will let you know if you’ll hesitate in a life or death situation.
Knowing how verbal self defense works can be a terrific safety tool for preventing you from falling prey to an approach of a stranger. Verbal self defense is also another way to build your confidence in yourself. It allows women to see the power of their voice, the protection they can have from their voice, and to not feel threatened by anyone.
Women are one of the most common targets for crimes such as robbery, assaults, and kidnapping. Most probably this is due to the stereotype that women are weak and cannot protect themselves from harm. Not all women can protect themselves by using physical force, but preparation and vigilance lessens the chances of harm.
Most women are also targeted because women are often sympathetic and helpful. There have been many cases that women have been robbed or assaulted because they stopped to help someone supposedly in need of assistance because of a flat tire or a dead engine or some other excuse. While it is noble to be helpful, there is also a need to be careful. Always bring non-lethal self defense weapons to protect you.
Another precaution is to not sit around in cars waiting, making lists, taking calls, reading, filling-out forms or anything that will give the attackers enough time to get in the passenger seat which robbery or rape in mind. Always remember to lock your doors.
In malls or public parking places, look at the cars nearest to your car. If there is a male sitting inside the car parked next to yours, it is better to go back and wait until he leaves or get somebody to accompany you to your car. Never mind if this makes you look paranoid, it is always better to be on the safe side.
When exiting buildings and mall, always use the elevators rather than the stairs. The stairwell is a perfect place to assault somebody especially if it is at night because no one will be there.
During hold-ups, if the robber asks you to hand over your bag or other belongings, hurl it away so that when they go after your valuables, you can run in the opposite directions. The obvious actions is not necessarily the best ones to keep you from further harm. Another example would be wrecking or crashing the car if an attacker has a gun to your head and is giving commands. If the attacker is seating in the back seat, he or she will incur more damage than you and hopefully, will be left unconscious. Just make sure you are always wearing your seat belt and that your airbag works properly.
If an attacker has a gun pointed at you but he is not holding you in any way, you must and can run. The odds that a person will be able to hit a moving target is low - something like 4 out of a hundred and if you are hit, most probably it will be in the major organs.
When an attacker has you under his control, you can use your body in self defense. The strongest point of the body is the elbow and you can use this to hurt the attacker temporarily so that you can escape. Also, the eyes are very vulnerable - poke or jab the eyes and run.
There is no guarantee that if you use these tips you will be safe from harm. But it is better to be prepared rather than caught unawares. Vigilance and confidence is a self defense weapon. Attackers seldom target those who are fully aware of their surroundings.
Both Michelle Annese & Joy Fender are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Michelle Annese has sinced written about articles on various topics from Stock, Family Concerns and Beauty Tips. Michelle Annese is a 3rd degree black belt with 16+ years experience teaching self defense and safety for women and children. She is an inductee to the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame and is the creator of Diva Defense Training, and The SafeGuard System f. Michelle Annese's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
Joy Fender has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Security, Information Technology and Home Security. If you are interested in defending yourself if attacked and want more information on self defense weapons check out