Self Defense/Attack Tips

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Thought I would start this thread... where I live, in the past week there have been multiple kidnapping attempts of women, mostly in parking lots - vans parking on their driver side after they leave their car, and when they come back trying to pull them in. Also cases of women with children being followed. There is speculation it is for trafficking. This is in Canada.

This is terrifying. I thought we could share tips for defense and attacking.

The biggest one I have read is that don't be meek. If you feel you are being followed look straight at them and ask them if they are following you. If someone grabs you, as soon as it happens start to attack them and be LOUD. Pinch them under the armpit or in between the elbow really hard as that hurts a lot. Attackers say if a woman starts to attack straight away and scream, they are less likely to follow through.

I will also be carrying my key fob in my hand when walking back to the car. I often park in the quiet area of the parking lots so no one dings the car, lol. It is easy to notice if someone parks next to me... Look out for people sitting in vehicles next to yours and not doing anything. Be ready to set off your panic alarm on your key fob.
 
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This is a very important conversation especially as the UK is going through something similar. I've seen multiple local newspapers reporting child abductions or attempted abductions of children after school and of course, that hugely viral video of that sick SOB with that young girl this past week.

I dont have many tips unfortunately but like you, I do want to be prepared. I do the key in between my fingers thing so people cant actually see I'm carrying something but have the sharp bit in between my fingers so can do some damage if used wisely. The confrontational approach you mentioned is great too but I'm a bit wary about that when completely alone, I would only do this if I can spot a few people in the distance and they can hear me make the accusation in the hopes of intervention.

I would also aim for the throat or the eyes, if someone is holding you against them, use your head to headbutt them. And if possible, I would go for scratching their eyes.

But its so easy for us to say it now, my horror is freezing up if the moment does happen.
 
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In the UK I don’t rely on keys, I always carry perfume/body spray so I can spray it in someone’s eyes and run. It’s really tit I can’t even carry a mix of cayenne pepper and water, as anything intended as a weapon could lead to prosecution, if used on an attacker. Perfume can be considered an “everyday” item, with no intent to be used as a weapon

When I’m out at night alone I never go on my phone or listen to music. I make a lot of noise with my feet scuffling along the ground, keys jangling and usually wear a jacket with a noisy belt. If someone gives me strange vibes, I’ll usually begin attracting more attention to myself, by making more noise with the keys/jangling/belt etc. I also make a mental note, of the physical description, of anyone who gives me an unsettling feeling.

Your gut instinct is your biggest weapon. If your gut tells you someone or something is off, trust it! If you think you look vulnerable, being on your phone or appearing distracted by headphones, then ditch both. It’s tit women have to think this way in 2020
 
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In the UK I don’t rely on keys, I always carry perfume/body spray so I can spray it in someone’s eyes and run. It’s really tit I can’t even carry a mix of cayenne pepper and water, as anything intended as a weapon could lead to prosecution, if used on an attacker. Perfume can be considered an “everyday” item, with no intent to be used as a weapon

When I’m out at night alone I never go on my phone or listen to music. I make a lot of noise with my feet scuffling along the ground, keys jangling and usually wear a jacket with a noisy belt. If someone gives me strange vibes, I’ll usually begin attracting more attention to myself, by making more noise with the keys/jangling/belt etc. I also make a mental note, of the physical description, of anyone who gives me an unsettling feeling.

Your gut instinct is your biggest weapon. If your gut tells you someone or something is off, trust it! If you think you look vulnerable, being on your phone or appearing distracted by headphones, then ditch both. It’s tit women have to think this way in 2020
Yes, as a student I would carry hairspray on me to use in case. Same here in Canada, you're not allowed to carry self defence "weapons." such a load of rit. In the USA they sell self defence keychains which look good.

In the UK I don’t rely on keys, I always carry perfume/body spray so I can spray it in someone’s eyes and run. It’s really tit I can’t even carry a mix of cayenne pepper and water, as anything intended as a weapon could lead to prosecution, if used on an attacker. Perfume can be considered an “everyday” item, with no intent to be used as a weapon

When I’m out at night alone I never go on my phone or listen to music. I make a lot of noise with my feet scuffling along the ground, keys jangling and usually wear a jacket with a noisy belt. If someone gives me strange vibes, I’ll usually begin attracting more attention to myself, by making more noise with the keys/jangling/belt etc. I also make a mental note, of the physical description, of anyone who gives me an unsettling feeling.

Your gut instinct is your biggest weapon. If your gut tells you someone or something is off, trust it! If you think you look vulnerable, being on your phone or appearing distracted by headphones, then ditch both. It’s tit women have to think this way in 2020
It is worse now too as it is "normal" to wear a mask so women are having trouble identifying them.
 
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This sounds awful but when I used to walk home late at night I would always have a Starbucks (I would ask for black tea) or home made tea in a flask depending where I had been/going but it would have just boiling water in so that I could throw it over someone if I needed to. Probably wouldn’t even work that well but I imagine it would hurt and at least give me a chance 🤷🏼‍♀️
 
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Take up self defence lessons and use your brain and common sense to avoid risky environments and situations as best you can.
 
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If you carry a small nail care kit, they come with scissors you could use on an attacker and legally it wouldn't be something intended to be used as a weapon (as opposed to carrying scissors on their own)

I was always taught as a kid to turn and run in the opposite direction if I thought someone was following me in a car so that I'd lose them by the time it took the driver to turn the car around
 
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When I’m out at night alone I never go on my phone or listen to music. I make a lot of noise with my feet scuffling along the ground, keys jangling and usually wear a jacket with a noisy belt. If someone gives me strange vibes, I’ll usually begin attracting more attention to myself, by making more noise with the keys/jangling/belt etc. I also make a mental note, of the physical description, of anyone who gives me an unsettling feeling.
I do this too. I've been called overly paranoid by some people, but it makes me feel safer.

This sounds awful but when I used to walk home late at night I would always have a Starbucks (I would ask for black tea) or home made tea in a flask depending where I had been/going but it would have just boiling water in so that I could throw it over someone if I needed to. Probably wouldn’t even work that well but I imagine it would hurt and at least give me a chance 🤷🏼‍♀️
This is a good idea! Even if it doesn't hurt them, I'm sure it would startle them enough for you to be able to give them a kick in the balls and make a run for it.
 
If you carry a small nail care kit, they come with scissors you could use on an attacker and legally it wouldn't be something intended to be used as a weapon (as opposed to carrying scissors on their own)

I was always taught as a kid to turn and run in the opposite direction if I thought someone was following me in a car so that I'd lose them by the time it took the driver to turn the car around
I'm pretty sure those scissors can still be classed legally as an offensive weapon so I'd be careful about that.
 
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Best tip I read is that if somebody tells you to get in their car, gun to you, knife to you etc.. you SCREAM, SHOUT, PUNCH etc. And do not get in the car. Take your chance of being stabbed or shot outside the car, where there are cctv and the public. Once in the car, you could be tortured for days, killed anyway etc. Just never get in the car no matter the threat.
 
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The simple rule, just kick him in the balls, job done.
 
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I was always taught to use the ‘grab, twist and pull’ method on their ‘meat and two veg’ - it’s very effective apparently! 😊 Ps. Also, if you are being attacked you are far more likely to get other people’s attention if you shout ‘fire’ etc rather than ‘call the police’ or something similar.
 
My FIL has always told me to go for wind pipe, eyes and knees. Hes ex-army and a bit feral 🥴
 
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To be honest, I wouldn’t care about what could potentially happen afterwards (such as prosecution). I’d use everything in my power at that time to stab, hit, punch, scratch and attack anyone who tried to attack me. Also been taught to kick right in the privates, and go for the windpipe and eyes.
 
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I was always taught to use the ‘grab, twist and pull’ method on their ‘meat and two veg’ - it’s very effective apparently! 😊 Ps. Also, if you are being attacked you are far more likely to get other people’s attention if you shout ‘fire’ etc rather than ‘call the police’ or something similar.
Yep, grab and Twist works too, a kick is more effective, I would imagine.
 
To be honest, your best bet is to rely on your instincts not weapons. Be aware of what’s around you, walk in the middle of the road if need be, stop or turn around if you don’t feel comfortable. Don’t feel the need to be nice to people, if someone is making you feel uncomfortable then listen to what your instincts are telling you.
 
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To be honest, your best bet is to rely on your instincts not weapons. Be aware of what’s around you, walk in the middle of the road if need be, stop or turn around if you don’t feel comfortable. Don’t feel the need to be nice to people, if someone is making you feel uncomfortable then listen to what your instincts are telling you.
This is how a woman I know escaped someone chasing her. He was threatening to grape her, and she ran in the middle of the road to get away. She tried to stop 2 cars to help but they drove off (one was a police car 😡), she got to a safe place eventually.
 
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Thought I would start this thread... where I live, in the past week there have been multiple kidnapping attempts of women, mostly in parking lots - vans parking on their driver side after they leave their car, and when they come back trying to pull them in. Also cases of women with children being followed. There is speculation it is for trafficking. This is in Canada.

This is terrifying. I thought we could share tips for defense and attacking.

The biggest one I have read is that don't be meek. If you feel you are being followed look straight at them and ask them if they are following you. If someone grabs you, as soon as it happens start to attack them and be LOUD. Pinch them under the armpit or in between the elbow really hard as that hurts a lot. Attackers say if a woman starts to attack straight away and scream, they are less likely to follow through.

I will also be carrying my key fob in my hand when walking back to the car. I often park in the quiet area of the parking lots so no one dings the car, lol. It is easy to notice if someone parks next to me... Look out for people sitting in vehicles next to yours and not doing anything. Be ready to set off your panic alarm on your key fob.
I carry kitty self defense keychain 😬

 
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