Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Schipper, Deborah E." <>]

As a self-defense instructor with over 25 years of experience, I need to
address the following comment:
And although self-defense classes are good, any one who teaches them
will tell that there is no 100% guarantee that it will save you and you
do open yourself up to the possibility of more harm. 

You ABSOLUTELY do not open yourself up to the possibility of more harm
if you physically, verbally and mentally defend yourself with good
techniques and tactics.  Women who use physical self-defense techniques
applied to strategic targets increase their chance of avoiding rape, and
do NOT increase the possibility of injury.  

Of course, if anyone uses techniques that are not designed to disable
the attacker, if people flail and pound on the attacker's chest, then
that could increase the chance of a negative outcome.  

But, please do not imply that good self-defense will increase your
chance of serious injury.  What it will do is increase your chance of
surviving without being raped.  With that said, compliance with an
attacker can be a self-defense technique.  It is just not the only
technique. 

Nothing is 100% sure, but statistically, a good physical response such
as running away and yelling, can vastly improve your chances of
surviving and avoiding rape.  

Deborah Schipper
Sexual Violence Education and Support
The Student Wellness Center 
The Ohio State University
B130 Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC)
337 W. 17th Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-4527
fax (614) 292-1052
e-mail  

www.swc.osu.edu