Train for what happens most - you'll be able to handle most of what happens.
Many rapists, serial killers and kidnappers use a van for the initial phase of their plan. And their goal is…to snatch you away from public, from your home, your family, your life and reality as you know it - to get you alone in their world, their reality. To torture, rape and even kill you. Ted Bundy played on women's sympathy by seeming injured to lure them to his car.
PREVENTION IS KEY
Taking precautions to avoid an attack is far greater than reacting to it once it has been initiated.
* Don't park in isolated areas especially at night when you're alone.
* Never, never, never get in your car with a van parked next to it.
* Check inside your car before entering. The back seat and passenger's floorboard are areas of concern.
* Once in your car – lock your doors and leave. Do not sit in your car and balance your checkbook or text a friend. Leave.
* Be aware of your surroundings. Perpetrators like unsuspecting victims and are less likely to attack someone that is observant.
* 96% of rapists go through great measures to insure their victim is alone before he attacks. Safety in numbers – if at all possible have someone with you. Perpetrators don't want witnesses or interruptions during an assault.
* Follow your gut. I call it the “Gut-thing”. Deep within something tells you not to go or to get out. Do it immediately, there is a reason you feel that way.
* Do not help someone on crutches or with any injury. May seem cruel but reality is many woman have been murdered by trying to help a man carry his briefcase because he was on crutches. Keep a safe distance and call for help.
* Check vehicles parked next to you. If a male is sitting in one do not proceed. Get security or call 911. Better safe than sorry.
* Always take the elevator instead of stairs when you're alone. Stairwells are a perfect crime spot especially at night.
* A robber asks for your purse. Do not hand it to him. Throw it hard in the opposite direction and run.
* Keep something between you and a perpetrator. A tree, chair, anything to obstruct him from reaching you.
* Be smart and use commonsense.
SELF-DEFENSE TACTICS
Using these tactics is justified if you believe you or someone else is in danger of bodily harm or death.
* You're approached and feel threatened, immediately throw your hands in front of you ready to defend yourself and yell “Stop!” or “Get away from me!” Make a scene. You can not hesitate seconds count during an attack. The perpetrator does not want to get caught so they will flee. Women tend to be too nice and don't want to offend anyone. Do it! It will save your life.
* He keeps coming at you with both hands out to grab you – your hands are in front of you ready to fight. Curl your fingers at the knuckle and jab the palm of your hand to his nose as hard as you can. It will either break his nose and his eyes will water or kill him; either way is fine, now you can run away.
* Use the side of your hand with fingers stretched out and hit him in the throat, similar to a karate chop. This will interrupt his breathing and cause pain. First reaction for him will be to grab his throat so you can run away.
* If you can reach his eyes put your thumbs through them. I didn't say poke, I said put your thumbs through them. Try and touch his dysfunctional brain.
* Your elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough use it with a jab to the ribs, face or throat. Anywhere on the body you can inflict pain shove your elbow to it with force.
* Ram your knee into his groin. If you can't use your knee grab a handful, twist and squeeze like your life depends on it.
* If the perpetrator has your arms pinned down you still have your heel. Stomp on the top of his foot with all your weight. Be sure and use your heel and not your toes or instep. Out of 26 bones in the foot you are bound to break one of his.
* Raise your knee and kick behind you. Try for his knee this is a vulnerable area. Think of how a mule kicks…become that mule.
* Slam your head into his nose and mouth.
* If he has you by the throat with both hands, raise your arms. It will loosen his grip. Slam your elbows down into his arms, hopefully hard enough to give him a Charlie horse.
* Fight back! Kick, punch, scratch, bite, spit and scream like a wild animal. Remember balance is everything in a fight. Knock the perpetrator off balance and it buys you a few seconds to get away.
* If you are thrown in the trunk of a car, kick out the tail light and stick your arm out and wave like crazy. If you have your cell you can call 911 and look out the hole for location landmarks.
* An armed man is in your vehicle and tells you to drive. Buckle up and gun the engine. Crash into anything you can find. Do not drive off! Even if you can't wear your seat-belt, crash your car anyway. Bailout and run. Better to crash your car than to have your body found in a dark alley.
* Even if the perpetrator has a gun, don’t think you can’t run. He’s got to be able to hit a moving target and that only happens 4 in 100 shots and not fatal. Run in a zig-zag pattern.
* If you get knocked down do not try and get up. Remember balance is everything and you will probably get knocked right back down leading to possible injury. Instead wait for him to come to you. Be prepared to kick when he gets in close range.
* The perpetrator grabs you by the wrist. Reach over with your other hand and grab his pinkie the weakest bone in the finger. Snap it back with the intent to break it. The ring finger and thumb will work too. You must do this quickly, forcefully and be committed to the act.
It's better to be paranoid than dead. If you commence to self-defense and the potential attacker says he wasn't going to attack you, it was all a mistake. Offer to call the police for him to file a report against you. Because he's a liar and won't want anything to do with the police he will flee. Call them anyway and give them a description, chances are he may be wanted for several other attacks. Do not apologize for your actions! Remain on defense, he will attack you again when you least expect it.
If you feel threatened do not hesitate to take action. Do not stop fighting until you can safely get away. You must practice! For your response to be a natural reaction or a habit you must practice over two hundred times.