Self-Defense: Domestic Abuse-How To Protect Yourself

There was a commercial on television that caught my eye the other day. It was by a nonprofit on behalf of domestic violence awareness. It stated that one in four women is a victim of domestic violence. I didn’t believe that, so I looked it up. And, sure enough, that is correct. Estimates indicate that between one and 6 million women are physically abused by their husbands or boyfriends every year in domestic assault. According to statistics, women between the ages of 20 and 24 are at greatest risk of intimate partner violence.

In the U.S., a woman is assaulted or beaten every 9 seconds. Worldwide “at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Most often (it is) by a member of her own family.” The statistics go on and on and are truly shocking.

“Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. The abuse can be psychological, physical, verbal, sexual, emotional or economic.”

So how do women protect themselves? What steps can they take on a proactive basis to defend themselves? Personal safety tools and personal self-defense are the answer.

Domestic violence is a complicated issue. It is not a simple matter for a woman who feels threatened or has been abused to just pick up to leave. It’s not a black-and-white issue at all. But I’ve always felt that if a woman learned some basic self-defense techniques starting at an early age she would be better prepared to defend herself in a domestic violence situation.

Personal self-defense and personal safety can be learned in the comfort of your own home with some martial arts, self-defense training DVDs. These are frequently taught by world-class instructors. You can learn the basics in a couple of hours. You can learn with a friend or with other members of your family.

Learning basic self-defense techniques is a start. On a more immediate basis, it is recommended getting and learning how to use some Self Defense Items like stun guns or pepper sprays. Being assaulted by your boyfriend or your husband is no different than being assaulted by a stranger. Your life may be on the line and you need to do whatever you have to do to protect yourself.

Self-defense products are meant to incapacitate any assailant for up to 45 minutes allowing you time to escape and get help.

Self defense training Books and DVD’s are a good way to learn the basics of self-defense.