- The most basic principle of women's self-defense is the identification of potentially dangerous situations before they occur. This awareness of environment is the best source of prevention. Most male attackers are bullies. They only attack a woman if they feel they have the advantage and they won't get caught. Before entering a dark parking lot or isolated stairwell alone, consider the possibility that an attacker could be hiding there. Ask someone to walk with you or take another route. If you see a suspicious man on the street, cross to the other side. Simply being conscious of your surroundings prevents most attacks.
- Women can reduce the potential of being crime victims by exercising risk reduction. Do not invite danger by hitchhiking or going to dangerous places unprotected. Do not drink so much alcohol that your ability to protect yourself and make good decisions is impaired. Do not walk around with expensive jewelry or handbags in high-crime neighborhoods. Lock the doors of your car and keep your cell phone within reach at all times.
- The martial arts are ideally suited for women's self-defense. They have a long history of training smaller and physically weaker martial artists to neutralize much larger opponents. The key to the martial arts is to attack weak parts of the attacker with strong parts of your body. Bending any person's little finger back will make them cringe in pain no matter how big they are. Stomping on toes, kicking the groin and gouging the eyes are effective distractions that can help you get away. If trapped in a confined space like an elevator, lie on the ground with your feet constantly facing the attacker. Keep kicking and yelling until they realize you are too much trouble to deal with.
- Women's self-defense teaches the use of weapons whenever they are available. Anything can be a weapon, like a key, belt or fork. Stab for the eyes, ears or groin until the attacker lets you go. Mace and pepper spray are popular self-defense weapons carried by women. Do not to allow the spray to give you a false sense of security. It must be in your hand and sprayed into the attacker's eyes to be effective. This requires practice and a conscious effort to be prepared when the attack comes.
- There are warnings that must be heeded for women considering carrying handguns for self-defense. Guns are illegal to carry in public without special carrier's permits issued by a sheriff or police chief. If you carry a gun without a permit you are breaking the law. For a gun to be effective you must be able to draw it, identify the threatening target, make sure that you use lethal force in a legally justified way, aim and shoot. That's a lot to do in a fraction of a second. There is also the possibility of shooting an innocent person accidentally or having the gun taken away and used on you. Think carefully before acquiring a handgun.
