Garlic's True Stories pt.3 - Safety Training: combat & confidence
I'm not claiming this is the only way, or the best way, for women to protect themselves. It's how I was taught, that's all. It has saved my life more than once. I will not be presenting it in any sort of order.
Learn to Fight
I learned how to deliver a straight uppercut (and, later, knocked my father out with one 
). High heels make a useful weapon. You can stamp, hard, on someone's foot with one; kick with one if you can kick-box; take one off and use it as a spear.
You should be prepared to injure an attacker swiftly and severely. Whether you can kick-box or not, learn to kick a man in the groin with your feet and with your knees. Learn to twist his testicles with your hand, very hard, from in front and behind. You should be able to do this behind your back.
If you can't get at the groin, you can wind an opponent with a hard punch to the solar plexus. You have to do this very hard - put your whole body in a trajectory through his middle, towards his back. This is the secret of all good punches - target yourself beyond the part you wish to hit. You can punch with your elbow or head as well as your fist.
Learn to do an arm-lock: wrench one arm behind his back, so tight his hand is up near his neck, and simultaneously yank his head back with your other arm under his chin. You must do this very fast and hard, when he's off guard. Unless you're fearsomely strong, you won't injure him but he won't be able to go anywhere without you pushing him. I've done this quite a lot, while running pubs!
Be prepared to kick, with full force, anywhere you can reach. Legs are much stronger than arms. If you're lying down, you might be able to get a good kick under his chin (I've done this too.)
Bite, but make sure you bite on a very tender place - genitals, lips and tongue are vulnerable; so are ears but some people can successfully ignore ear injuries. Biting and scratching external flesh is more of an irritant than a deterrent.
Last resort: poke an eye out. This will blind your opponent and cause them agony, so obviously you should only do it if you're on the verge of being killed. You do it by scooping your thumb in the eye socket, fast and firm. (I nearly did this to X#1, who was strangling me - I just pushed a bit and he got the message.)
It is true there are pressure-point techniques that can stun or even kill an opponent, but that part of my course was cancelled so I haven't practised and can't describe it. You can find the info on the Web.
Women often have no experience of fighting to win. It's a great idea to take a course in at least one form of combat for this. I'm ever so pleased that lots of little girls now do kick-boxing or judo.
Although I've used some of these techniques, the main point is the confidence you get from knowing you have the skills.
Walk With Confidence
Looking at women walking around, you'd never guess we all know the importance of this. Stride! Keep a good rhythm going, swing your arms easily, look ahead not down. Chin up, like they said in school :)
If anybody says you walk around like you own the place, that's very good!
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Look at people. Don't stare them in the eyes, but register their person and let them see you have. I was asked to retain a description of everyone I came close to on a busy pavement - couldn't do that now, but it's good training.
Do not be on your ipod or phone while in any situation that may be even slightly risky. You need to use your ears for information about what's going on around you.
If there is somebody around who's making you feel nervous, turn and face them. If there are only the two of you around, you can politely ask them to cross the street as you feel nervous. Or just stand still and wait for them to pass.
Be confidently courteous to anyone who might be a threat. Don't assume aggression. This gives you the advantage, should you need it, of surprise.
... tbc ...