It's estimated that around 230,000 women are sexually assaulted each year in the US. That's more than 600 women being sexually assaulted each day.
And, that's just sexual assault. If you add in murder, domestic violence, and physical assault, those numbers would skyrocket.
The fact that women have to worry about being assaulted on a daily basis is a huge problem in and of itself. And obviously, the ideal solution would be for those committing the attacks to learn that what they're doing is not okay and to stop.
But, that, unfortunately, isn't the world we live in, which is why it's important for women to always be aware of their surroundings and to do what they can to avoid being attacked.
But, what exactly can a woman do to avoid being attacked?
Check out this self defense for women guide to learn about the best options.
1. Take Preventative Steps
First things first, before you go out there and buy every self-defense weapon on the market, it's very important that you're aware of the preventative steps you can take to avoid being attacked.
This goes beyond obvious things like walking alone at night or locking your doors when you get home.
To avoid an unexpected attack, try to make the following regular habits:
- Don't listen to music when walking home alone: This can be very distracting, and you want to make sure your eyes and ears are always alert
- Tell people where you are going and when you should be back: We don't mean you need to alert someone every time you go to the grocery store, but if you're going on a long hike, a date with a new guy, or engaging in some other out-of-the-ordinary activity, let people know. This way, it'll be much easier to track you down in the event that something bad happens
- If you leave work late, ask a trusted coworker to walk you to your car
- Don't leave your drinks unattended when out at bars/restaurants
And above all, always remember to trust your gut.
If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, don't feel guilty about disengaging with them. Many women let themselves stay in situations because they don't want to come across as impolite.
But the truth is, your own safety should always be your number one priority. If someone or something is making you feel uncomfortable, you have every right to remove yourself from the situation without making any excuses.
2. Yell for Help
It may sound obvious, but yelling for help is perhaps one of the best ways to stop an attack from happening.
Not only does this alert those around you that you are in danger, but it can also sometimes throw off the attacker and cause them to run away.
Now, there is a lot of debate out there when it comes to what word you should yell in the event of an attack. Some say you should yell "help", others say you should always yell "fire".
But the truth is, you never really know what word people are going to respond to. And in the situation, you're likely not going to think to yourself "this magazine told me to yell this word, so I better do that!"
The best thing to remember is that yelling something is better than yelling nothing.
3. Take a Self-Defense Course
A lot of women are under the impression that if a man attacks them, there isn't really anything they can do, as the majority of men are physically stronger than women.
But, the truth is that defending yourself really doesn't have anything to do with your size or your "fighting" abilities. There are actually a number of self-defense moves out there that can help you get out of a dangerous situation, even if the person attacking you is twice your size.
This is why we recommend taking a self-defense class. During these classes, you can learn the right moves that will help you defend yourself during an attack.
And remember, defending yourself doesn't mean beating your attacker senseless. It means getting away from your attacker and getting to safety. When you look at it like that, it makes fighting off a 230-lb man seem a lot more realistic.
And don't worry, you don't need to spend years and years learning self-defense moves to know what to do during an attack. In fact, there are many day-long self-defense workshops out there that will teach you some basics things you can do in the event of an attack.
And, if you really like the workshop, you may even want to consider martial arts classes to really hone your skills.
4. Run
As we just said, defending yourself doesn't mean beating up your attacker. It means removing yourself from the dangerous situation you are in and getting to safety.
Therefore, it's very important to keep in mind that running away from your attacker (or potential attacker) is always an option.
Even if you don't think you can outrun the person, it's always worth a shot. Sometimes, running is enough to deter the attacker, as they know that chasing after you will cause a commotion.
And, as we said earlier, go with your gut. Someone doesn't need to pull out a knife to justify you running away. If you're walking to your car and you feel like someone is following you but you're not sure, you still have every reason to run the rest of the way to your car.
5. Self Defense Weapons
Lastly, let's talk about self-defense weapons.
Self-defense weapons should be treated as an "if all else fails" solution. In other words, you should focus first on doing what you can to avoid an attack, yelling, and running away.
If these efforts fail, then you may need to resort to a self-defense weapon. Some self-defense weapons worth considering are:
Guns
Perhaps the most lethal self-defense weapon worth considering is a gun. Of course, if you choose to purchase a gun for self-defense, you'll want to take a course on gun safety and shooting beforehand.
Otherwise, you could accidentally end up hurting yourself or other innocent bystanders.
Also, if you choose to purchase a gun, you'll want to make sure you buy one that is meant for self-defense. You can learn about the different kinds of guns out there and do some browsing at Seekins Precision.
Lastly, remember to look up your state's/country's laws on carrying weapons. Even if you don't plan to use the weapon (besides in the event of an attack) there are still regulations you need to follow when owning a firearm.
Pepper Spray
If you are looking for a self-defense weapon that is easy to use and convenient to take with you wherever you go, then pepper spray is your answer.
If you're not familiar, pepper spray comes in a little tube/spray can that has a nozzle. When an attacker approaches you, all you need to do is open the can and press down on the nozzle as you point it towards the attacker's face. If done right, the pepper spray will temporarily blind the attacker and give you an opportunity to run.
Most pepper spray devices give you a range of 10 to 12 feet, and some even go as far as 18 feet, so don't worry about having perfect aim.
But, remember that pepper spray will only debilitate your attacker for a short period of time, so you'll have to move quickly after using it.
Tactical Knife
What's the difference between a tactical knife and a standard kitchen knife?
For starters, tactical knives don't really look like knives. Only at the last second will the attacker realize that the hairbrush or pen you are pulling out is actually a knife.
While getting away from an attacker with a tactical knife may sound a little unrealistic, tactical knives are actually more effective than bullets, as stabbing at close range means you have more control over the placement.
Flashlight
The benefits of flashlights as self-defense weapons are actually threefold:
1. Flashlights can help you spot an attacker before they even get to you
2. Turning on a flashlight can temporarily blind your attacker, giving you an opportunity to run away
3. You can hit an attacker over the head with a flashlight, which at the very least can throw them off balance and give you a chance to escape
Of course, make sure you buy a flashlight that's actually meant for self-defense situations. Chances are, the flashlight you have shoved in the back of your junk drawer won't be sufficient.
Alarm
Of course, not all self-defense weapons involve the use of physical force.
For those looking for a simple yet effective self-defense weapon that doesn't require any physical prowess, an alarm is the perfect device.
And we're not just talking about the fancy alarms that you can have installed in your home. There are many personal alarms available that you can attach to your keychain that can be as loud as 130 decibels.
That'll be loud enough to get everyone's attention in the surrounding area!
With personal alarms, all you have to do is press a button for the sound to go off.
Self Defense for Women: Do You Feel Prepared to Defend Yourself?
We hope that after reading this article, you feel more confident and prepared to defend yourself in the event of an attack.
As we said earlier, always trust your gut when it comes to defending yourself. If a situation feels unsafe, you have every right to get out of there, and you don't owe anyone an apology or an excuse.
If you have any questions about this self defense for women guide, let us know in the comments below.
And, be sure to check out this guide about the best self-defense tips for women.
Ms. Career Girl was started in 2008 to help ambitious young professional women figure out who they are, what they want and how to get it.
