From Sara K. Johnson ~ director of the Portland Police Bureau's WomenStrengthProgram. Sara has taught self-defense skills for the past 11 years.
Believe her and listen when she says:
~ More than 80 percent of the time, women and girls are assaulted by someone they know. If you find that hard to believe, consider this: Your vulnerability
increases to the extent that you are isolated, surprised, intimidated or
silent. Because they have access you would never give to total strangers, acquaintances have a special advantage.
~ Take precautions. Make plans. Lock the doors as soon as you slip into your car. Keep
the cell phone at your ear when you walk across a lonely campus.
Surrender the keys or pocketbook, but stand your ground if someone tries
to push you into his car or van. Johnson reviews a safety plan with her 5-year-old each time they head out on an adventure. “We have a meeting spot,” she says. “He’s old enough to remember that.
If I’m not there, and he’s truly lost, he looks for a mom with children.
That’s the safest person to ask for help.” And bear this in mind: The buddy system actually becomes more
essential as you slowly work your way from kindergarten to the
senior-class kegger and frat party.
~ “Trust your gut. Your intuition,” Johnson says. That first flutter of the heart or pulse that warns you something is spinning out of control. “A lot of times, we over think that piece,” Johnson says. “We’re the only animals that process our fear and intuition.” Fight that impulse. “Intuition is a gift,” Johnson says. “We call it our first line of self-defense. No matter what situation you’re in, you have escape options. Your intuition will guide you on the safest option.”
~ Once you commit to a course of action, don’t hold back. Whatever you do, Johnson says, “do it 100 percent.” That may be raising your voice. Re-enforcing your boundaries. Telling the hoop star that if his hand grazes your blouse again, he’ll be wearing your Ninkasi. Or if the threat overwhelms your safety plan or exit strategy, it may be scarier than that: Swinging an elbow. Screaming as if your life depends on it. Closing your eyes as you open the door of a moving car.
