Remain as calm as possible. This will not be easy if you're attacked, but it's your first step towards an escape. Remember, your own initiative and imagination is your best defense.
Two types of resistance can be used against an attacker: (1) Passive (2) Active.
PASSIVE RESISTANCE involves using your imagination to delay the attack while continually looking for a chance to escape or attempting to talk the attacker out of assaulting you.
You Can:
- Try to remain calm and show as little fear as possible.
- Talk to the attacker if time permits. In some cases this will help calm both him and you down. Refrain from talking to the attacker if it aggravates him.
- Treat the attacker as a person and try to gain his confidence. This may cause him to let his guard down and allow you to escape.
- Continually look for an opportunity to escape.
- Choose tactics that will leave you able to try other things if a particular approach doesn't work.
- If your first attempt to dissuade the attacker fails, try something else - different approaches work on different people.
ACTIVE RESISTANCE involves using physical force to repel the attacker.
You Can:
- Scream - if someone is near enough to hear you and provide help.
- If you're grabbed from behind, throw your head back hard against the attacker's face or throat.
- Crush down on top of his instep of this foot with your heel.
- Press your thumbs very hard into his eyes.
- Run towards people and lighted areas.
REMEMBER: No method is foolproof. No single method is the best one in every situation. All situations are different. Every attacker is different. Passive resistance may not change the attacker's mind or offer a chance to escape. Active resistance may excite or cause him to use more force that he would have otherwise used.
Your Best Weapon is Your Own Brain
Use Your Common Sense, Imagination, and Good Judgment!
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