Self-Defense Training

Preparation in your defense is of utmost importance.  These resources provide women's self-defense and personal protection training programs.

Training that is close to the real thing involving real life situations is the best way of learning what to either do or not do.  These involve oral threats, awareness, stress performance and oral de-escalation skills.  The ability to defend yourself under stress is crucial.  

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

Model mugging is a training where padded attackers are used.  Many of these women's self-defense programs are  throughout the United States; only a few are listed below.  Listed are a few programs available.  You can go to these websites for referrals in your area.

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

Victim Assistance

Below are wonderul resources for victims of violence, these hotlines will help you through the process through hotlines, referrals, criminal and civil processes, your rights as a victim and support groups.

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline
  Hotline available 24/7 at 800-799-7233.  Safety plans, crisis intervention, 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
  Networking information and research resources for victim assistance specialists and professionals in related disciplines.
• Witness Justice
  Assists and Empowers victims of violence and family members in healing from trauma and in navigating the criminal justice process.

Information and Advocacy

Resources to help aid those who want to get away from abusive situations.   If you are experiencing any of these mentioned please seek help by calling a hotline and/or talking with someone who is professionally trained in these areas. These agencies can help you get your life back on track. No one should endure this form of behavior.

• 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

If you are know or believe you are being stalked by someone please refer to these listed resources on what you can do to prevent it.  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 or someone you know are a victim of violence, seek help immediately! Call the above referenced agency hotlines.  Always keep you and your loved ones protected.  Empower yourself, wife, mother, sister, niece, friend, and co-worker. If you are physically capable of enrolling in a women's self-defense training program please do so today, if you aren't physically able which many are not, please seek out other methods of self defense as self defense weapons.  Don't go unprotected.