Feminist Self-Defense

[Organic Revolution]

This society bases itself on a sexual hierarchy that socializes women in fear, consent, obedience, adaptation-resignation and total surrender to others. The assumption of this submission has devastating effects on our self esteem, and makes us blame ourselves for the discomfort and the frustration that we feel in our lives. Whether we assume these roles or we fight against them, we feel guilty, and that's were the trick is. This feeling provokes certain attitudes of passivity and victimization that blocks our rage, so necessary for change. The obedience to some forced roles lead to failure.

To fight against this obedience that kills our autonomy, alienates and forbids us to defend ourselves at the same time it favors the established social order, we propose the feminist self-defense which consists of the following:

- To be aware of how fear and submission has built up in our lives will let us build our confidence, physical and emotional self-esteem, and the security us women have, both collectively and personally, to face a system that ignores and submits our lives to patriarchal and capitalist interests. By "physical self-esteem" we mean the recovery and application of the tools our bodies supply us through work out (constant or specific), that will let us to respond to an attack when this one suggests a threat to our physical integrity. This self-esteem generates the confidence and security in ourselves that will allow us to be calm, situate ourselves and decide with clarity how to react to a situation in the best possible way, because it's not always necessary to have physical confrontation. Besides, this will provide us with the emotional comfort to break the established physical barriers.

- To adopt an attitude that prevents, protects and allows an answer to violence. To acknowledge fear and accept it, liberates anger and prepares us for action. Therefore we claim for rebelliousness as the mechanism of protection and action necessary to step up against anything that threatens us.

- Mutual support. We cannot trust or rely that the institutions (judges, police officers, soldiers, politicians... ) will resolve patriarchal violence because they are the ones that practice it, need it and legitimize it. The moral and legal authority blames the victim (rape, harassment, abuse... ), criminalizes liberties (abortion... ) and forbids freedom in our own lives. From personal and collective conscience as women in this society, we want to overcome individualism and develop mutual support as a way to relate to one another. Because we look for ways that offer a more efficient resistance, as well as a creative organization of or intense realities.

- Feminist, distinguishing it from the feminine self-defense that limits itself to self-defense without affronting or questioning the cause of such violence.

Against patriarchal terrorism... Feminist self-defense!!!

[This was extracted from Spanish publication MUJERES PREOKUPANDO, Valencia, 2004]

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º Ideas you can use when you're walking alone in the streets or find yourself in any situation that makes you feel insecure or threatened:

You can always carry any self-defense object such as PEPPER SPRAY. When this Spray is applied over the eyes, it causes momentary blindness. It's sold in a variety of laces, and it usually comes in a spray bottle so small it easily fits your pocket and it has a security button that controls whether the gas can be sprayed or not. The spray is very effective but it can be very dangerous if it is not used with the necessary precautions for its effective use. Never use the pepper spray indoors or when the wind blows against you, because the gas expands 10 feet around and it can harm you. When you're going to apply it, fully extend your arm so you reach close to the aggressor's eyes and move away from the place. If you have to remain there, use a handkerchief to cover your nose and mouth so you don't inhale the gas. Do not show it, pull it out just when you're sure you'll use the spray it, because the aggressor might use it against you if he notices you're carrying one. If you plan on advising someone about the use of pepper spray never forget to mention this information.

With a STICK or an EMPTY BOTTLE in hand, angry drivers and pedestrians fear for their security and their car's, because they can suppose you're drunk.

Ride a BIKE. Riding a bike gives us a sense of autonomy and because it doesn't pollute the air it provides us with good health. Besides, there's a huge difference between going through a place alone at night walking and in a bike. You can always go by places you feel are insecure faster when you're riding a bike.

KEYS. If you have to hit the aggressor, hold the keys with you closed fist and place one of them between the middle finger and the ring finger so that it sticks out.

SCREAMING. Don't ever be embarrassed to ridicule your aggressor exposing him in public and making people notice that he's bothering you.

SCREAMING, FIRE! If we ask for help common sense is very cruel to women y usually we don't receive any help. Fire generally awakes more curiosity en people and the fear of some of their property burning makes them react and help quicker.

If you find yourself in an abuse situation in a car that's running KEP YOUR WINDOW A LITTLE OPEN. When facing any violent situation you can open the glove box in front of the front seat and take all the legal documents and threaten to throw them out of the car. You can also use these documents as a source of information about your aggressor so you can denounce hem. Another place where these papers are usually kept s in the back of the seat mirror of the front seat and in the pocket on the driver's door.

If you plan to hitchhiking, never go out with a pocket knife under your sleeve, which the police could easily assume to be part of camping equipment.

MAKE UP AN STD. when the aggressor begins to talk to you about sex and becomes persistent and insinuating about it, you can tell him that since you got ill you do not have sexual intercourse with anyone, and probably, because of prejudices, ignorance and social exclusion towards people who have STD's, the aggressor will no longer talk to you about that subject, and will be afraid to touch you.

º To different kinds or aggressions, different reactions.

If you know the attacker:
-Say NO!
-Don't stay still or silent while you're being abused. If you can't do anything because you're afraid of being hit o simply because something inside paralyzes you, at least be aware of what's happening to you.
-Don't shut. Even if it's crying, make the aggressor know what's on your mind, that what he's doing to you is wrong.
-Find someone to talk to that you trust. You are not guilty or have any responsibility. You did not provoke what's going on, the abuser should be the one who feels guilt and shame.

Nobody deserves to be abused of.

-There is no motive that justifies the aggressor actions.
-Silence or trying to forget that you were abused, are not a solution. On the contrary, not bringing the pain, guilt, shame and anger out of your body and mind will only get you sick.
-Don't think this will be the last time, don't give your aggressor another opportunity. Violence is a form of communication that once it begins to be used, will not stop. So give it up as a way to communicate yourself.

If you do not know the aggressor and your in public:
-Screaming fire (in most cases asking for help is not useful, so instead screaming fire will awake more fear and curiosity in people that are nearby. This was explained further in the beginning of the text).
-You can always ring the bells of houses around you, go inside nearby stores or pretend that you know someone that's walking by at that moment by saying hello or simply beginning a conversation.
-if your not left with any other option but to punch who's attacking you, try to aim for areas n the body that hurt a lot, or won't let him/her move and may even provoke fainting. These places are:
- The testicles (kicking them with your foot, knee or simply punching them)
- The eyes (stabbing something in them... )
- The Adam's apple (punching it, hitting it with your elbow, or pushing it inside with your fingers.)
- The ears (hitting with both your fists at the same time, biting them... )
- The Nose (punching it upwards, biting it, stabbing it with some object or simply shoving something up... )

If you feel that you're being harmed, any reaction is valid. From running, screaming, and punching to even intoxicating the person that's molesting you. Choose the way that's more effective and suitable for you. Be conscious that violence can carry itself to extremes that your life or the other person's life is in danger.

[Taken from the Self-defense for women brochure, available (in Spanish) at El Libertario's text section at the website www.nodo50.org/ellibertario]

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º What's Wen-Do?

It's a self-defense method for women, that developed initially during the 1960's and 1970's by Anne and Ned Paige, a couple for Toronto, Canada, that using their skills on a variety of martial arts, and outraged by the case of a neighbor that was raped and then killed, decided to organize a program that would consist of many easy techniques that women could in an effective way and without using too much strength or physical ability. It's important to state that even though Wen-Do based its concept on a group of martial arts, it is not consider a martial art itself.

Wen-Do provides a group of physical skills that will allow women to defend themselves from any possible aggression, focusing on scenarios in which women are usually the victims, such as rape and domestic violence. The training period implies a process in which women will understand the causes of sexist violence in contemporary society, share experiences, strengthen their self-esteem and find the strength that lies within them.

It's basically a method that has become a reference for feminists in Canada and Europe, as well as an expanding one around the world. In Latin America, there are groups in Argentina and Brazil, and also in Spain, that encourage women to practice Wen-Do, as well as promoting conversations and debates about its role in matters concerning violence against women. For more information about this topic (in English), go to the website www.wendo.ca/pages/home.htm

www.nodo50.org/ellibertario - http://portland.indymedia.org/img/maillink.gif [email protected]

Discuss.

[TC]

Being paranoid that you're going to be attacked and need to take ritualistic self defense preparations isn't progressive, it internalizes the patriarchal narrative of women as vulnerable people likely to be victimized and suffer at the hands of men and nature and responds to it on its own terms rather than questioning the basic premises behind it.

I feel safe when I walk home alone at night, not because I'm confident that I could defend myself against an average male attacker, in fact I'm almost sure I couldn't, but because I realize the probability of being attacked in such a manner is so statistically negligible as to be no cause for concern. It is percisely the over-estimation of risks that cause women to modify and restrict their behavior in such a way that has socially repressive effects.

[bcbm]

Being paranoid that you're going to be attacked and need to take ritualistic self defense preparations isn't progressive, it internalizes the patriarchal narrative of women as vulnerable people likely to be victimized and suffer at the hands of men and nature and responds to it on its own terms rather than questioning the basic premises behind it.

One can't questions the premises behind it without knowing how to defend one's self? I don't accept the dominant ideology and recognize that crime is rare, but having known multiple people who have been attacked, etc (male and female), I still thinking knowing how to defend one's self is a useful thing.

[black magick hustla]

when i was talking krav maga at college there was a group of women self-defense classes and because sometimes we had to wait a few mins for class to start, my classmates would seat in front of the women's gym and laugh at them :(

Anyway, i think this article is kinda dumb. Women should learn to defend themselves (and i think everybody else too) but as TC said, the whole "ritualistic" essence of the article is bonk and plays on the self-victimation card. i dont think being attacked at night has anything to do with patriarchy. generally the weaker you look the more vulnerable you are in the streets - regardless if you are man or woman. sure, men generally dont get groped and raped on the streets but regardless, i don't think this kind of issues has anything to do with patriarchy in as much as horny drunk dudes looking to grope a tit will always exist, regardless of the social order.

i do think do that patriarchal relationships are affected by the way people respond to this things though. The usual "heh she was wearing skimpy stuff she looked for being raped" etc etc. however, in this type of attacks, i suspect its more the fact that generally males are physically stronger and bigger, and that when you are drunk and/or drugged sometimes you are really horny and don't really give a shit about the others' feelings. i dont think there is a power-psychological issue here.

[eyedrop]

One can't questions the premises behind it without knowing how to defend one's self? I don't accept the dominant ideology and recognize that crime is rare, but having known multiple people who have been attacked, etc (male and female), I still thinking knowing how to defend one's self is a useful thing. In the cases of attacks on young males it is seldom that an attacker goes unarmed, or alone, so self defence would help. Young males are often percieved as strong, and offenders always (or atleast here) go in groups. They are cowards and wouldn't risk being beaten up by their victim themselfes. It isn't in their interest to make it somewhat fair. If they had the intention of a fair fight they would have picked a fight at a bar with someone willing.

[Lector Malibu]

I'm all for everybody knowing how to defend themselfs by any means possible.

[RaiseYourVoice]

when i was talking krav maga at college there was a group of women self-defence classes and because sometimes we had to wait a few mins for class to start, my classmates would seat in front of the women's gym and laugh at themWell women's self-defence isn't women's self defence. I don't know this particular one, but many of these "special for women" defences are crap. Actually in my Krav Maga group there are women who laugh at women's self defence courses. Okay i watched some youtube videos on it, looks pretty useless to me, but i am no specialist.

As for being paranoid. I tend to agree partly. This article reads like a women has to prepare her whole life just for those situations. But I think self-defence in general is pretty important. As someone that looks leftist on first sight, I have gotten in dangerous situations (usually fash) too often to feel secure when going to antifa demonstrations etc. Hell even in the underground i usually get provoked by nazis at least once a month. Training Krav Maga has let me handle those situations much easier though, (checking my surroundings, positioning myself, knowing that if he would start a fight i could kick his ass). In my old home there was a lot of violence around and I really couldn't help myself, let alone help others, which was pretty depressing.
Also I don't really see how learning self-defence keeps you from attacking the roots of this violent system.

That said, in my KM group women and men, strong and weak, old and young etc.etc. train together, which in my opinion is pretty important. I wouldn't want some kind of "victim only" course.

[An archist]

A bit off-topic: according to one of our social science books, statistically the chances of women being attacked by strangers is a lot lower then them being attacked by people they know, for men it is the opposite.

[Sasha]

as a (female) friend of mine wrote in response to the same articel posted on the dutch indymedia:

"Classes do not involve any physical contact unless a student is ready and wants to."

Which means the training does not prepare for actual contact. There are many fairy tales around, both in martial arts and in certain (middle class, pacifist) feminist circles.

If you want to be able to stand up for yourself you will have to be able to fight. There's no such thing as defending yourself against violence and intimidation without having to fight yourself. You will need to learn how to handle being hit, kicked etc. and keep your cool as well as being able to (counter) attack effectively.

This cannot be learned without physical contact. Which doesn't mean you need to put yourself in danger. Of course contact training can and should be done safely and sensibly. But pacifism posing as self defence training doesn't work.