Why female self-defence?
Self-Defence Strategies
In self-defence strategies and for protection, each woman reacts to events based on her own experiences, worldview, upbringing, and/or physical abilities. An important factor is added: the attacker very precisely chooses the situation that will make the victim vulnerable. That is why the solution of self-defence remains uncertain, even though… according to a study (1) from 2002 which examined different defence strategies against aggression (other than rape) such as:
- violent robbery;
- physical assault;
- indecent assault.
The results demonstrate and confirm that against these types of aggression, the physical response is the most effective:
- striking;
- scratching;
- kicking;
- biting;
- self-defence techniques… etc.
In the case of physical aggression, the only effective response for women has been physical self-defence.
Self-Defence, the Solution?
How do some women manage to resist or escape from dangerous situations? Few studies have focused on this topic to provide serious statistical and social answers. The study by Shannon A. Santana (1) provides encouraging elements regarding the solutions that may exist.
Women who have practiced self-defence or attended self-affirmation workshops before are better at defending themselves against an assault than other women. These women trained in self-defence also suffer fewer sexual assaults than others. This suggests that these women have not only learned to defend themselves but also to prevent assaults and violence.
(1) Shannon A. Santana. Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, University of Delaware, Delaware, United States. Journal of Quantitative Criminology (Impact Factor: 2.12). 05/2002; 18(2):135-157. DOI: 10.1023/A:1015254631767 (2) Leanne Brecklin, Sarah E. Ullman “Self-Defense or Assertiveness Training and Women’s Responses to Sexual Attacks” Interpers Violence June 2005 20: 738-762
