“Somewhere in America, a women is raped every 2 minutes” reported by Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs. After a little bit of research, that number is based on statistics in 2007. You’ll find figures anywhere from 1 in 4 to 1 in 6 women will be assaulted, to some degree, in their lifetime. All of this was long before the Defund the Police movement came along. Since March there has been a significant uptick in crime.
With statistics like this you’d think that every woman in America would make it a point to take at least one self defense course. You’d be amazed. I have been teaching women’s self defense courses for over 10 years now. Women only seem to be interested in protecting themselves when there is a specific threat at the moment, like a serial rapist. Phoenix had the Baseline Rapist who turned into the Baseline murderer. That got women out and training…. until they caught him. We went from 30 women in a class to 2.
In 2013, I had a make up client who had been brutally assaulted in her home. After speaking to her, I was moved to create Moxie Up and to try to teach as many women as I could. I had set a goal of 1,000 women. I was on multiple tv shows and radio shows. I was asked to speak at companies and churches. I was sure I’d have taught that many in less than a year. Seven years later, I’m still working on it. I’m in the 800 range as we speak. To say I was disappointed that I didn’t get to more people faster would be an understatement, but regardless I have helped train more than 800 women in the last seven years. I’m glad I had the opportunity to help them.
I think women like to think that it won’t happen to them. I hear “I’m not going out to the bars, so I’m not going to be a target”, or “I’m not 20 anymore, I’m too old” and “I’m not on the dating scene …”. All of these comments do have some validity, but the reality is that rapists are not normal. They are not looking for someone they want to have a relationship with. Rape is based on violence and a demented or tormented mind. You can’t possibly begin to understand how their mind will work.
You can make plans and take action to improve your chances. Creator of Girls on Guard and Women’s Self Defense Community, Brad Parker, spent time working with survivors of rape and also talking to the perpetrators to discover what has worked. That is how Girls on Guard came about. His program has been nationally recognized and we have taught it for years.
How can you improve your chances?
- Get some training
- Be aware
- Have a plan
- Stay with people
- Go to people
- Know how to use your strongest weapons
Most training will help in some way. You need to know that it works. If it’s too complicated you won’t remember it. It needs to be simple.
PLEASE go get training somewhere and do it with your mother, daughter, sister, aunt, best friend or any woman in your life you care about. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, you can be a victim. Even if you think you’re not, do it for someone else who cares about you.