21 RESOURCES FOR WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENSE AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE

18.9% of women age 12 and over were a victim of violence in 2004, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The actual number is likely higher, as the number is based on reported crimes. A lot of crime goes unreported.

Let's cut that rate! Whether you are a woman or want to help your loved ones, take action by learning about women's self-defense.

Below are 21 resources for women's self-defense. They include women's self-defense training, victim assistance, stalking, domestic violence, and advocacy to reduce violence against women.

Self-Defense Training

Be prepared when you encounter an attacker. These resources provide women's self-defense and personal protection training programs.

The best training involves scenarios that are close to reality. This includes a awareness strategies, oral de-escalation skills, oral threat from an attacker, and padded assailants to allow you to train full force. Being able to perform under adrenal stress is important, as in a real situation, and adrenaline dump into your system could cause you to freeze.

• AWSDA - The American Women's Self Defense Association
• AWARE - Arming Women Against Rape and Endangerment

IMPACT is a "model mugging" type training that uses a padded attacker. Several of these women's self-defense programs are available throughout the United States; only a few are listed below. Visit one of these websites or my website for affiliates near you or referrals to other similar women's self-defense programs.

• California - Los Angeles
• California - San Francisco/Bay Area
• New York - New York City
• Texas - The Woodlands

Victim Assistance

These resources assist victims of violence and crime through hotlines, referrals, criminal and civil justice processes, victim's rights, and support groups. Begin the healing process by calling a hotline and/or talking with someone who is professionally trained to assist you.

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline
  Hotline available 24/7 at 800-799-7233. Crisis intervention, safety planning, information, and referrals to agencies.
• The National Center for Victims of Crime
  Includes Stalking Resource Center, Dating Violence Resource Center, and Teen Victim Project.
• National Organization for Victim Assistance
  Promotes rights and services for victims of crime and crisis.
• Victim Assistance Online
  Information, research, and networking resource for victim assistance specialists and professionals in related disciplines.
• Witness Justice
  Empowers and assists victims of violence and their loved ones in healing from trauma and in navigating the criminal justice process.

Information and Advocacy

Informational resources aiding those who want to remove themselves from abusive situations, including advocacy groups, are below.

• RAINN - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
  Nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization and has been ranked as one of "America's 100 Best Charities" by Worth magazine.
• AARDVARC - An Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Center
  Dedicated to combating family and relationship violence, sexual violence, and child abuse. Information, directory of resources.
• American Bar Association - Commission on Domestic Violence
  Information on legal representation of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and trafficking.
• Communities Against Violence Network
  International network of anti-violence experts and advocates.
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
  Works on public policy and education.
• National Criminal Justice Reference Service
  Federally funded resource offering justice and substance abuse information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide.
• U.S. Department of Justice - Office on Violence Against Women
  Provides national leadership in developing the nation's capacity to reduce violence against women through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
• Violence Against Women Online Resources
  Provides materials on domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking for criminal justice professionals and sexual assault and domestic violence victim advocates.

Stalking

8% of women and 2% of men will be stalked in their lifetimes.

• The Antistalking Web Site
  Articles and resources for stalking victims and professionals who work with them.
• Stalking Victims Sanctuary
  Online community for victims to support each other, information, and resources.

Conclusion

If you are a victim of violence, get help immediately! Call a victim assistance hotline or visit the above websites. Start the healing process now.

Keep yourself and your female loved ones safe. Empower yourself, wife, mother, sister, niece, friend, and co-worker. Enroll in a women's self-defense training program so that you and they can defend against an attacker if the situation ever arises.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Books Women's self-defense books. Includes recommended books.
• Videos Women's self-defense DVDs and videos serve as excellent supplemental learning tools. Learn at your own pace in the comfort of your home.
• Training Live women's self-defense training from qualified instructors allows more personalized training, technique correction, and practice with partners.
• Information Additional websites that provide women's self-defense information.
• More Articles Read more women's self-defense articles from our library.