I am a woman and a freshman in college; which is the most vulnerable demographic for sexual assault. I am bound to the generation of instant gratification, rape culture, and countless frat party horror stories. Nearly everyone knows someone whose life has been impacted by sexual assault, yet few people take matters into their own hands. This is in no way victim blaming. It is never the victim's fault, whether they choose to learn self-defense or not. However, I think that self-defense is good for more than crisis. Here's why you should choose to take a course:
1. The Sticky Situation
When we imagine sexual assault, our minds are flooded with roofies, binge-drinking, and (unfortunately) rape. This isn't always the case. Sexual harassment is a terribly uncomfortable situation to find yourself in. Imagine this scenario: you're sitting on the bus, maybe looking out the window or reading a book on the way to work. Some random man sits next to you and puts his arm around you. What do you do? Self-defense courses teach you how to safely diffuse situations that could very easily turn from harassment to assault.
2. The Dark Walk
Disclaimer: don't do this. Walking home alone can be dangerous for anyone, especially on campus at night. It certainly shouldn't be the case, but it's the current reality we live with. That being said, if it does happen, there are options. Your campus may have a Safe Rides or Safe Walks program where you can call for a ride or someone to walk you back to safety. If you are assaulted, self-defense programs teach you the best way to flee, or strike back if necessary.
3. The Lurking Weirdo
This happens from time-to-time: you find yourself walking down a street. You notice a sketchy looking passerby lingering around you. What you need in this instance is confidence. One is less likely to be targeted if they give off a confident air. Show that you're prepared to go all kinds of crazy on them and they're more likely to leave you alone. Most self-defense courses teach confidence exercises, and knowing that you're capable of protecting yourself gives you a boost.
4. To Teach Your Friends
It's the call no one wants to get. Your friend was at a party and someone raped them. Your friend didn't do anything wrong. There is nothing you can do but help them get the resources they need to cope with trauma and heal. However, for the future, you can teach your friends self-defense to keep them safe. It helps you practice, as well!
Overall, it's a skill that can be the difference between life and death. Try to find a R.A.D. course at your school, or look it up in the internet in a pinch. Remember to never test it on real people, and know what's considered assault!
