H.I.T. Self Defense

We are at that time of year, again. Summer is over and the kids are on their way back to school. Here are a few safety tips to utilize while on or off campus. Remember, the college campus is a perfect environment for predators, so let’s go over some of the basics (for some of you out there - this is a refresher course):

A. Be aware of your environment: be especially careful in enclosed spaces (i.e. parking garages, etc.). Also, be extra careful at night. The more alert you appear the less attractive you are … Continue Reading

Here are a few tips (and a clip from the DVD) with regards to safety for the upcoming 4th of July holiday.

A. If you plan to go out for a night on the town and fireworks, make sure you utilize the buddy system: each of your friends should watch out for one another. Even better if have one designated sober ‘party-goer’ who can watch out for any signs of trouble (she is the one who tells you that ‘this guy’ might not be the right one - or who comes in when you give her ‘that … Continue Reading

I thought I would pass along a few success stories this week. Here are some ‘Heroes’ who decided to fight back and survive. Remember, 87% of women who fought back during a sexual assault reported it made the situation better.

A. Woman fights off attacker with keys in Kelso parking lot
Saturday, June 13, 2009 1:31 PM PDT
By Barbara LaBoe

A woman was grabbed and fondled in the Target parking lot Thursday night before she fought the unknown assailant off with her keys, according to Kelso police reports.

The woman told police she was by her car just after 10 p.m. when … Continue Reading

Here is a quick clip from the DVD. I cover some of the basics on how to strike back with both the palm and the fist. This might come in handy if you are ever confronted by an individual and have to defend yourself. Remember, 87% of women involved in a sexual assault that fought back report that their situation got better: if you do not resist the attack will occur.

I hope this helps.

Stay Safe.

Visit the Site/Get the DVD: www.hitselfdefense.com

Summer is right around the corner. I thought this would be a good time to cover some basic safety tips. The daylight hours are getting longer and we tend to find ourselves out later and later enjoying summer activities: exercising, camping, parties, etc. Here are a couple of reminders:

A. Keep your guard up. Have fun, but remember, be aware of your surroundings. If you’re exercising outdoors, keep the headphones (music) off. Also, don’t over fatigue yourself - something that’s easy to do as the days get hotter.

B. Watch the drinking out in the sun. … Continue Reading

Millions of people use the internet every day; it’s a great way to connect to friends, family and people all over the world. It can also be the perfect environment for predators to target potential victims. Just like a predator in a parking garage or on a jogging path, the online predator is looking for a vulnerable target. But online, the attacker is truly transparent and anonymous - and may be posing as a “friend”. Although the media portrays online predators as older men posing as younger adults, the majority of online related sexual assaults are actually perpetrated … Continue Reading

Not all predators are strangers: 75% of all sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim. For high school and college age women those numbers are closer to 90%. Since we are in Spring Break time, I really want to focus on some common variables that are an impetus to Date Rape (or Acquaintance Rape). The #1 Date Rape drug on the scene? Alcohol. When individuals don’t drink responsibly they open themselves up to sexual assault. I think we’ve all seen enough Spring Break programs to understand that responsible drinking is not … Continue Reading

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to talk to a lot of people who were the victims of violent crimes. One of the most common themes I’ve come across: “you know, I just felt like something was wrong… I just felt like something bad was about to happen.” Those are your instincts talking to you. We have a very unique set of senses that give us clear warning signs before an attack is about to occur. More often than not, we dismiss these warning signs as simple paranoia. Listen to your instincts, if something … Continue Reading

Here are a few things you can practice with a friend or family member. This post really deals with attempted abductions from behind. If a perpetrator tries to grab you from behind, first and foremost, you want to set your weight - make yourself as heavy as possible for them to pick up. Secondly, you want to target seek. Remember: closest weapon, closest target. If the perpetrator grabs you around the waist (underneath the arms) use your elbows and strike backwards to the face (swing your left elbow then swing your right elbow and then … Continue Reading

I actually meant to post this clip from the DVD a few weeks back when I posted: HIT Tips: 27% Increase in Rape. This clip really follows my suggestions on how to reduce your risk of ‘Date Rape’ (Acquaintance Rape). I saw a program a few weeks back about a young woman who was raped after being drugged on Spring Break. She found out about the rape after police showed up on her doorstep a few years later with a video and showed her the assault that apparently the perpetrator recorded. According to the program, the … Continue Reading