If there is ever a moment that you need to physically defend yourself, I say dont hesitate. Fight back. It could save your life. Many physical attacks have been averted because the victim fought back. Statistics indicate that the woman who fights has a greater chance of survival and getting away then a woman who does not resist. If a man is out to attack you, he is out to do you harm anyway. Fighting him will surprise him and because he wants to get away with the least amount of resistance in many cases he will let go of you to escape himself. An attacker doesnt like a lot of noise, so make a lot of it. Yell as long and hard as you can. Say things that will attract attention. HELP HES ATTACKING ME! - I DONT KNOW HIM!! HES TRYING TO KIDNAP ME! SOMEBODY HELP ME - CALL THE POLICE HES HURTING ME! HELP ME THIS MAN IS FOLLOWING ME!

If you are in a public place and you are aware that someone is following you or trailing you. Look fully at his face. Make sure that he knows you see him. Say in a very loud voice I SEE YOU. LEAVE ME ALONE NOW. POLICE!! POLICE!! He will think twice about jumping you. Also if you are alone and you feel someone is following you dont get yourself cornered. Get into an open place, a public place, near people or a person. If you can ask someone to walk you to your car or train take the company and assistance. Again it could mean the difference between being vulnerable alone or avoiding attack with the company of someone else.

These are some of the suggestions to avoid attack. They may sound obvious but they are for your reference. Avoid going to dark places by yourself if you can. Go with someone when you can. If there is a lit place or a light, stand under it. Move away from someone who is trying to corner you or crowd you, but dont move to a place that could be more dangerous for you. For instance dont move closer to the tracks of a train, if you dont know what this person is capable of doing. Be aware of who is around you and how many are there. Be aware of people and how they are dressed. Be aware of erratic behavior such as drunkenness, hostility, or confrontational behavior.

Be aware of alliances, even if a man is not near someone doesnt mean that they are not a part of a team. There will be signs of connection if you observe long enough. You will see interaction that they are trying to disguise; you will see signals to each other or looks. But if something starts to go down, they will make their alliance known. They will come after you together. Also dont assume that just because you see a woman with a man that they cannot be a threat to you. Many times women can be the lure, and when you drop your guard, and then for many reasons, mostly to please the man that they are with, will let the man attack you or they will attack you together. There are lots of Bonnie and Clyde types out there. Just be aware of alliances.

Other suggestions: Dont open your purse in public; prepare your money or keys before you leave a place. Carry a key firmly between your two fingers and your thumb with the pointed end exposed. If you are being cornered dont blindly run. Before you go in any direction know if there is an exit or a dead end. When you walk, be aware of the environment. Doorways that someone can hide in, aisle ways, hidden entrances, and natural landmasses that could deter you or is a potential hiding place for someone. Also be aware of places that have people that can help you. Are there corner stores that stay open late, restaurants, Fire stations, Police Stations. Be aware of call boxes and really observe if they are working or not. If you need to make a cell phone call, be aware of landmarks to give some good directions.

If you carry a purse, it is better for you if your purse has compartments, and you always keep your things in the purse in the same place. Then when you need your wallet, your cell phone, keys or lipstick you can retrieve it with a momentary glance down or without looking down at all. An organized person is less of a mark or target than a disorganized person. A person who is focused and aware is also less likely to be a victim or a target than a woman who is spacey and distracted. Walk with purpose and direction, not like you dont know where you are going. Have routes plotted out to your home, and school or store etc. But also have alternative safe routes, be prepared to change direction in a moment if need be. The point is if you know a few ways to get somewhere you can take decisive action and not run blindly.copyright 2006 Yoga Kat