Self Defense For Women

RAPE

There are many schools of thought as to what you should do when you find yourself in a rape situation.  Some people feel you shouldn't resist and let it happen to prevent serious harm, but we don't advocate that.  Rape is more than a physical assault; it's a mental assault as well.  The emotional implications of allowing yourself to be violated in such a way are far worse than the physical violation.

You should use whatever method you think will be appropriate. For a rapist who is fairly casual about the situation, it might be possible to talk him out of it but, in most cases, that's not something you can count on. You should definitely have a repertoire of other things that you can do if talking doesn't work or if there isn't time to talk.

Control his hips and his hands. This might sound strange, but the concept works. Control his hips to prevent penetration. If you can get your feet on his hips you can control the distance between the two of you. His hands are the weapons he will use against you. He will hit you, slap you, stab you or shoot you, but he has to use his hands to do the damage.

As we have said before, never let him put you in a car and take you to another location.  There is virtually a zero chance of survival at that point if he succeeds.  Sometimes, however, you may not be able to help it and he will get you into a car.

One girl who had been knocked out by her attacker and put into his car regained consciousness while in the backseat.  When her assailant stopped at a traffic light, she jumped out of the car and ran.  She was able to keep her wits about her and seize the opportunity to get away.

In a moving car, everyone is vulnerable - even your attacker.  There may be opportunities that depend on how thoroughly you are restrained. You may be able to lunge sideways and forwards, and blow the horn by butting it with your forehead. If your hands are free, you can jerk the steering wheel. If your feet are free, you can stomp on the accelerator. Your attacker has to use at least one hand to drive the car. He is limited in his ability to fend you off.

If you can cause an accident, you have disrupted his plan by destroying his method of transportation, and probably have produced several witnesses.

As you no doubt know, however, traffic accidents are dangerous. Choose your chance as carefully as you can.

Never forget the option of directly attacking your attacker. Gouge out his eyes, crush his throat, jam a pencil through his eardrum, and use your belt to garrote him. If you accidentally get a finger in his mouth, don't pull back -- try to shove your entire hand down his throat.

If you are out of the car, and he is getting out of the car to attack, realize that he is using much of his strength and balance just to get out. If you decide that fighting is better than running, don't let him out of the car. Shove him back in. If there's a rock handy, hit him with it. If there's a stick or branch, club him over the head, or jab him in the face. Car doors are hard and heavy. Kick the door closed onto his head, and keep slamming it into him. And, of course, make as much noise as you can.

If you are in the trunk, kick out a taillight and wave your hand or foot through it. Any driver behind the car will see this. Don't be timid; kick the light as hard as you can; they pop out pretty easily.

Another caution: don't over-estimate your fighting ability. If you have a chance to get away, don't, don't, don't stay to fight!

Although many of these defense strategies sound violent, that's because they are.  They're supposed to be.  When it comes to down to your life, you must be willing to do anything you have to in order to stay alive.  That means hurting another person, of course, but it's nothing compared to what he wants to do to you.