From: andy@SAIL.Stanford.EDU (Andy Freeman)
Subject: Re: Time to put in my 2cents worth
Organization: Computer Science Department,  Stanford University.
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 21:35:32 GMT

>   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.
>

>   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."

Note that Bittenbinder doesn't follow that advice.  Ol J.J.  carries a
gun for self-defense.  (I realize that some police think that they're
carrying guns to execute people, but I'll give J.J. the benefit of the
doubt.)

J.J. does make a common cop-mistake.  The purpose of self-defense is
not to kill the bad guy, so it isn't measured by the number of crooks
killed.  It is to save the self-defender's life.  Most successful
with-gun self-defenses, even by cops, don't involve any shots fired.
Few of the remainder result in the attacker's death.

J.J. is also lying.  In Chicago, most of the self-defense homicides
are by private citizens.  That's true even though private action is
gone over with a fine-toothed comb while police shootings aren't.
(One study, again of Chicago, found that the police reports, let alone
independent evidence, showed that 20% of police shootings that were
deemed "good shoots" were actually murder.)

J.J. lives in a city where "children" (adolescents) are committing
violent crimes.  That's a good way to get shot, no matter how old you
are.

> 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.

With-gun self-defense has been shown to be the most effective resistance
strategy.

> PREPARE--

Absolutely.  Make sure that you don't have to rely on your attacker's
good intentions or compliance with your wishes.

> -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.

Interestingly enough, gun ownership provides the same mental benefits,
as does training and carrying.

-andy
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