Don't Be a Target and Don't Target Others

I've seen a lot of bloggers out there that post tips and tricks for women to prevent being assaulted. While I do believe in taking the practical approach and being prepared some of the tips I've seen are things like "dress conservatively to not tempt men".

When are people/men going to start taking the responsibility on their side and realize that just because a woman is dressed in certain types of clothing, doesn't mean she was "asking for it" or looking for negative attention? It's summer time and many people are shedding as much clothing as they can because it's quite warm outside in this area and most of the country. Are all of those people expected to prude up to avoid becoming a target?

I've been studying martial arts since 2003 and I've met several people over those years that are victims of sexual assault. It boils my blood that in today's modernized/civilized society, where people are finally getting equal rights for marriage, and the country is generally shunning symbols of our horrible racist past that there's still such a skew in rights and equality for women. Men can jog shirtless down the street, but a woman would be arrested for being indecent for the same activity, despite both genders having nipples and breast tissue.

Now I'm not an idiot. I know the mentality isn't going to change overnight and no matter what we do for the general populous there will be criminals out there that will commit sex crimes. So, as I mentioned before we need a practical and prepared approach. So here's my safety tips. No guarantees but these are good general rules to follow that should reduce daily risk of becoming a victim.

1. Be Aware of Your Surroundings.  
1. Don't jog alone at 11pm with headphones on drowning out the world around you. 
2. Get out of your own head. It's easy to get lost in your thoughts when walking somewhere. Be conscious of where you are, and if you're possibly being pursued. 
2. Walk Confidently
1. Confidence is a big deterrent for criminals who are looking for a target. 
2. Make eye contact with people you are walking past in a city area that's busy. It'll cause you to appear more confident, and also will cause lots of people to notice you, and again if your being noticed by everyone, you're less of a target. 
3. Opposite in quiet areas where you're the only person around. Don't make eye contact if on your own in a quiet suburb or in the country. Eye contact will draw attention to you and, if the person is a would be assailant, could make you their target. 
3. Avoid Risk Areas
1. Back alleys, dark lots, industrial areas after hours and back roads. Might take you longer to get places on foot, but it's better than becoming a statistic. 
2. Your own car. Don't sit in a lot after you got your groceries, checking your text messages and emails on your phone. Do it at home or somewhere secured. 
3. Parking garages are great places to get attacked if your leaving after hours or on a floor where everyone has already left for the day. 
4. Use common sense. If you stay out of your head and are paying attention, you can tell if something feels unsafe. Even if you second guess yourself thinking that nothing will happen, your gut is not something that should be ignored. Better safe than sorry. 
4. Learn Self Defense
1. As a martial artist I cannot explain in a simple blog post, all of the benefits I've gotten from practicing martial arts over the years. That said, even if your only goal is to just learn some basic defense techniques, there's no better place than a good martial arts school. There are "crash course" approach self defense programs through community centers and the YMCA and whatnot. I urge you to be careful with these. They often have shoddy instruction by an inexperienced instructor who's looking to make a quick buck. 3 months at a good school is, in most cases, far superior to a 12 week women's self defense course at the Y. 
5. Carry a weapon
1. A weapon can be a great equalizer in an attack. Doesn't have to be a gun if you're anti-gun. There are plenty of non-lethal weapons that you can carry with no licensing or background checks (knives, stun-gun/taser, pepper spray, kubaton) . 
1. If you are anti-gun I urge you to consider that even if you are anti-gun, criminals are not and will not hesitate to use one on you in the right scenario. 
2. Learn to use it. No good having a taser if you're not sure how to turn it on. 
6. Keys between fingers in hand. 
1. A punch to the face/eye area with keys wedged in your fingers is going to cause a lot of damage. Easy enough to hold your keys like that on your way to the car at night. 
2. You should have your keys out anyway when walking to the car at night. Then there's no delay in pulling them out when you need to get in your car and go. 
7. If attacked scream... loudly
1. Drawing attention is a great deterrent. Criminals don't typically want to be watched by passers by, and the people in the neighborhood. 
2. Yelling is good, but yelling something weird, other than help, is even better for drawing attention. Yell; rape, fire, gun to cause people to look your way. If outside people are looking the criminal is probably going to run. 

Remember, nothing replaces a real martial arts education for self defense. It is, however, not for everyone and these are some tips that hopefully can help some of you out there.