From: varney@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (Al Varney)
Subject: Re: Time to put in my 2cents worth
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 04:54:46 GMT

In article <1992Nov5.210437.26699@CSD-NewsHost.Stanford.EDU> andy@SAIL.Stanford.EDU (Andy Freeman) writes:
>In article <1992Nov4.054320.9132@gagme.chi.il.us> phantom@gagme.chi.il.us (Leif Ericksen) writes:
>>	I have a friend that is an Illinois State Police officer, he teaches
>>womens self defense an preaches that the women FIGHT AND FIGHT HARD, kick, 
>>bite, scratch, YELL!!!!, and NEVER NEVER EVER use mace.
>

   For a somewhat similar viewpoint, I selectively quote a one-page article
from "The Journal", a twice-weekly Wheaton, IL publication. (8/7/92,
by Catherine Coerr - staff writer).  The article is a description of
a presentation on "Street Smart" safety strategies, by Chicago Police Dept.
Detective J. J. Bittenbinder and a group called Self Empowerment Group.
Mr. Bittenbinder has been making such presentations for about a decade,
and is booked through 1994.

   ------------- Quoted text below --------------------

   After 21 years on the force (15 in homicide), Bittenbinder has plenty
of advice to give.  But "... nothing works 100 percent of the time." ...
"The most important thing you are ever going to be is NOT SELECTED (as a
victim)."

   The old rules work -- safety in numbers; use well-lit passageways;
check stalls in public bathrooms before using(?).

   Some methods of defense can be ineffective.  "Guns do not work.
We don't use 'em [in the Street Smart program].  Why?  Because
intelligent people hesitate.  If guns did work, the police would come
by in the morning and pick up a bunch of dead bad guys.  Instead, we're
picking up children."

   He also explained why knives don't work ("you'll cut yourself"),
the proper way to use keys as a weapon (use one key, jab in the eye),
trust instincts ("when the hair on the back of your neck stands up ...
that's 200 million years of evolution.  TRUST IT!").

   Concern at harming an attacker?  "Would you rather be tried by 12 or
carried by six?"

  ================ Basic information from Street Smart =================

 A woman's best line of defense is to try to protect herself from becoming
a victim.  But should a man try to attack, you must be ready to act and
watch for opportunities to fight or escape.  Every assault is different
and every woman is different.  In any attack, it is your choice to fight
or submit.  You might also decide that in certain attacks you will not
fight and in others, you will.

 STRATEGIES--
 Multiple resistance strategies have been demonstrated to be most effective
in preventing assault, including sexual assault.  The National Center for the
Prevention and Control of rape reports that women who fight, yell and attempt
to lee are more successful in avoiding rape than those who talked, cried,
tried to appeal to the assailant, or tried to make themselves appear less
desirable.

 PREPARE--
 -Practice saying "NO!"  Say it loudly and firmly several times each day.
If possible, use a mirror and watch your ace while you say it.  Make sure
your face says "NO" also.  -- don't smile and do look directly at the person
you imagine saying "NO" to.

 -Practice setting verbal boundaries, limits we set verbally with others
that clearly communicate what we will and will not allow from them.  Examples
are "MOVE BACK", "Don't TOUCH ME", and "I don't want to TALK to you".  When
you practice setting boundaries in our daily lives, we are more likely to
set firm boundaries in an actual assault.

 -Assess situations you encounter which scare or worry you.  Maybe a building
you pass, a street you cross on the way home, or being alone waiting for the
bus or "L" scare you.  Rehearse options of what to do if an assailant
approached you in one o these settings.

 -Assess people you encounter on a regular basis who scare or worry you.
Think out strategies to avoid being isolated with them.  Practice setting
verbal boundaries with them.  Practice body language which conveys to them
that you care about yourself and won't let them intimidate or manipulate you.

 - Pay attention to your instincts.  Intuition is a survival tool all people
have that help use to sense danger.  Instincts are almost never wrong.  Act on
instincts to identify unsafe situations.

 -Take care of yourself.  Pay attentions to your needs.  Eat when you're
hungry, get enough sleep, relax when you need to.  These actions all improve
self-connectedness, which boosts our ability to be in touch with the messages
our bodies and minds give us.

 -Get accurate information on sexual assault, which you can find at many
women's organizations.  Accurate information is important for successful
prevention of assault.

 -Take a self-defense class, especially one in which women have strong
leadership roles.  Many women report that after taking such courses, they feel
stronger, braver, more active, more in control, more effective in a variety
of arenas, and less afraid.  A good course will allow you to set verbal
boundaries, practice physical techniques and discuss feelings you have about
fighting and defending yourself.

 DEFEND--
 - In case of attack, remember to:
  - resist loudly, firmly and early;
  - communicate assertiveness to assailant;
  - run away and head for populated area;
  - yell or shout, continuing as long as needed;
  - threaten assailant with outside intervention.

 - If attacked before you can do the above:
  - breathe deeply to keep your mind clear;
  - wait for an opening to fight or escape;
  - think through an escape strategy.

 - If you decide to fight:
  - use your voice while fighting off assailant;
  - be prepared to hit and get hit;
  - be committed to the fight;
  - if the attacker knocks you down, try to escape;
  - if you can't get up and run, shift to your side and kick the assailant;
  - focus your strikes on vulnerable areas -- head, groin, knees, eyes, neck;
  - use your lower body while lying on the ground.  Kick vulnerable areas
    using your heel for most impact.

 Above information from "The Journal" and Self Empowerment Group, Chicago.

Al Varney -- just reporting the information.  I neither recommend nor
             advise against this information.

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