How to protect yourself from a rapist

Once upon a time I read an article on how to behave when meeting a rapist. A little later, she practically saved my life. It contained advice: if an attack occurs at the entrance, in no case bring the offender home. Until you enter the apartment, there is a chance to break free, to make noise, to attract attention. In your apartment, paradoxically, you are defenseless.

That time, to the rapist's question, "Is there anyone at home?" I lied and said, "Father and brother." Later I managed to break free and scream, and the man who threatened me ran away. By the way, at that moment I was 11 years old and everything happened at lunchtime at the entrance of my home. I was not wearing provocative clothes or bright makeup. The truth is, it can happen to anyone. And now, being already a mother, I would like to do everything so that this does not happen either with my friends or with our growing up girls.

Next, I will appeal to you, adults, but I beg you to tell these simple rules to my daughter, niece or goddaughter.

How to avoid trouble

The best defense against a crime is to prevent it from happening. According to statistics, most rapists did not choose the most attractive girls as their victims. They chose the circumstances in which they could accomplish their plans. Therefore, remember just a few simple rules.

1. Do not go in the dark on unfamiliar deserted places

If for some reason this cannot be avoided, agree with your loved ones about control points: you must call your relatives from previously agreed places. Avoid late walks in every possible way. The best choice in such cases is public transport or taxis.

Remember: the mandatory control point is the entrance! Constantly remind yourself and your daughter to look around before entering it.

If you're shy about doing it openly, you can pretend you're tying your shoelace, adjusting your shoe strap, or stopping to call. During this time, you can assess the situation.

If you see a stranger approaching, never enter the entrance with him. Re-act the scene with the phone or shoes, hesitate, let it go. Call home and ask someone to come down and meet you. In the dark, stay on the lighted patch under the lantern. If there is a store nearby, go to it. If you are near the carriageway, go out onto the road.

When a stranger is acting aggressive or strange, don't be afraid to get attention without asking what he meant. Shout or - which is more effective these days - bang on the hood of one of the parked cars to set off the alarm.

2. Never talk to strangers

Even if everything happens during the day and not at night. Even if a person behaves politely, and even more so if flirting. An opportunity-seeking abuser will take this as an invitation. The best strategy is to be silent or respond with an eloquent gesture. Look at him coldly and unfriendly. Do not run away under any circumstances: this can only provoke you. Try to pass by without changing your pace and get to a crowded place as quickly as possible.

Another simple trick: have your husband or parents speed dial button on your mobile. In the event of a bad situation, she will help you quickly contact them without taking your phone out of your pocket or bag. This way, loved ones will be able to hear your conversation with a stranger.

3. Always carry self-defense items in your purse

It can be a classic gas canister or a stun gun. The first, however, is a very ambiguous means of protection, since when spraying it, you have to take into account the direction of the wind, otherwise the liquid can get into your face.

There are fewer problems with a shocker, but you need to practice using it in advance. After all, the offender will not nobly stand on the sidelines while you are looking for the right button.

In this regard, it is much easier to carry an automatic umbrella or a large heavy handle. The umbrella can be used as a stick when defending. Another option is to open it in the face of the attacker, preferably in the eyes or nose. A heavy handle, clenched in the palm of your hand, can replace your brass knuckles and strengthen your blow. Brass knuckles, by the way, are prohibited by our legislation, so we do not mention them here. It is also convenient to use a pen to poke the offender.

What to do if a stranger speaks to you or attacks you

The main thing is not to show him your fear. No wonder they say that the best defense is offense. If he just made an indecent proposal - scream or remember all the swear words you've ever heard. Threatening, stamping your feet, getting angry. Lie that you have STDs (all adults, and no need to explain what it is?).

In such situations, one must rely not on strength, but on the effect of surprise. One friend of mine put the offenders to flight simply by grabbing a stone from the ground and growling. Drunk teenagers - namely, they stuck to their aunt - called her abnormal and made her legs.

If everything is bad and it comes to a fight, act meanly, evil and unexpectedly. Hit like it's the last time. In fact, it can be so if you are weak-minded.

You are unlikely to be proficient in martial arts, but you have to memorize your opponent's weaknesses.

Most often, in such situations, it is advised to hit in the groin. My former hand-to-hand combat trainer doubted this technique. It only works if you hit with all your might. If the blow turns out to be weak, you will only anger the enemy. There is a more effective variation of this technique: hit the groin with all your strength and at the same time with both hands pull his ears or their lobes down just as hard. In fact, you should strive to pull them off!

In general, ears, eyes, nose and Adam's apple are the most vulnerable spots. The ears must be hit simultaneously with both palms folded in a boat. In the eyes - with thumbs or "goat" from the index and middle. In the nose - with the back of the hand from the bottom up or with improvised means (with the edge of a plastic card, phone, notebook) into the base of the nose.

Many people know that there is a knockout point on a person's chin. However, if you do not have a ballet stretch to reach it with your foot, then it is better to refrain from hitting. As a last resort, hit her with the back of your hand. Punching, however, can cost you a broken wrist.

If the enemy grabs you from behind, hit the arch of your foot with all your might. If there is no heel - with all the strength of the heel to the front of the lower leg.

Bite! Nobody canceled Mike Tyson's reception yet!

It's bad if the attacker has a knife. The main thing you have to do is get out of the line of impact and put an obstacle between yourself and the knife. To do this, relax the enemy with a conversation, visible agreement, and then abruptly move aside from the line of impact and either hit the wrist with a handbag or a briefcase, or at least just put them between you and a knife and shout. In my case, it was this technique that worked.

The main thing that all your efforts should lead to is to attract attention to yourself (if you are, for example, at the entrance) or temporarily disorient the offender and run to a crowded place.

Instead of an afterword

Probably, reading the article, you thought more than once: "All this is unreal, I could not!" In fact, all the techniques work. The main thing is that you must be ready to fight back and not be submissive. It is foolish to hope for the condescension of an abnormal who conceives rape. You must bet on his fear or on the fact that you will attract attention to yourself and he will not dare to do what he has planned.

Women's weakness is a trait that we will cherish for our beloved man. In emergency situations, a woman or girl must show all her strength, cunning and aggression.

And two more facts that I hope will convince you. Known all over the world thanks to Bruce Lee, the wushu style - yunchun - was once created by a woman. More precisely, a Chinese nun. And another Chinese woman opened a school of fist fighting, on the basis of which karate was then born.

Be strong, brave, cunning and teach this to your children!