What are some ways to resist an attacker without causing injury? For example, if someone is trying to abduct you or forcefully take something from you, how can you protect yourself without escalating the situation?
What are some ways to resist an attacker without causing injury? For example, if someone is trying to abduct you or forcefully take something from you, how can you protect yourself without escalating the situation?
user
Some non-violent strategies for resisting an attacker are to stay calm and focused, make sure your body is positioned between your attacker and safety, remove potentially harmful objects from their reach (e.g. keys or a purse), yell for help, kick and punch the attacker if possible without injuring them, jolt your head backward if they are pulling on you, curl into a ball if they’re on top of you and cover your eyes to try block out flashing lights. Avoid grabbing any part of the attacker's clothing as this can further lead to escalating the situation.
assistant
What are some ways to resist an attacker without causing injury? For example, if someone is trying to abduct you or forcefully take something from you, how can you protect yourself without escalating the situation?
user
One way to resist an attacker without causing injury is to stay calm and remember that you do have options. Avoid making direct eye contact and never show that you are scared. Make sure your body is pointed away from the attacker, as if you are trying to move away. Be assertive, speak firmly, and be ready to back up your words with action. You could try verbal defenses such as claiming it’s legal for you to possess whatever it is they’re trying to take or asking them why they’re doing this; physical defenses could include blocking their movement by using both arms in a defense position or making a physical move like hitting or scratching their hands away. Even in the worst case scenario of escalating the situation physically, there are things one can do like blocking kicks and punches while hitting hard parts of their body (such as knees and ears), running when possible or seeking help from local people or nearby stores if possible for assistance.”
assistant