The law with regard to self defence is somewhat more obscure for reasons that I hope to reveal.
A reaction may equal an action.
This means, if someone attempts to strike you and you then defend yourself by striking once, then that may be acceptable. But if you continue to strike again and again, it is no longer self defence, but now becomes an actual assault. You are the attacker.
I know that you can quote many instances where someone has defended and then attacked to a greater degree, and it has been held as self defence. However, there are probably more incidents, not publicised, that have not been found to be self defence.
However, if you can justify that you did everything possible to avoid being assaulted and that if you had not taken the action, an 6
assault would have happened there and then. Then you can say that you had to defend by pre-empting the attack.
To successfully defend against an assault then the defensive action must be able to negate the assault.
It is not the intention of this book to deal with defences against multiple attackers, or defences against weapons, nor to use personal female items as weapons. The ability to attain a degree of success at that level depends solely on the application of specialised skills in techniques which require a standard of expertise that only a trained person could achieve.
To gain knowledge, only practice at clubs that specialise in forms of combat that can give the required skill. There are many which are acceptable: - Aikido, which specialises in the application of locking and applying pressure to joints; Judo, which is purely a sport, but is effective in development of body and character; Jujitsu, from which all other martial arts are derived; Karate, for punching and kicking; Kung-fu, another derivative from Jujitsu, Taekwondo which specialises in kicking, are a few that come to mind. All are done quite successfully by women. There is also boxing to consider, although not very ladylike.
If, when you have read this book and would like to continue, then seek out a club as would suit your preference, and join. You can only improve. Experts are not born with their skills, they all had to learn.
Local martial arts clubs are always looking for new members and are in most areas. If they are not of the type that you require, then they at least may know of another club that would suit. Instruction will be given at all levels and is always under continual guidance of the chief Instructor of the club. There is no need to fear about being ‘thrown’ or ‘picked on’, remember, they want you back, it is not in their interests to harm you. You would not return and they would lose revenue.
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Many of these clubs advertise in local newspapers or have their adverts in shop windows so are easy to contact. But remember, they will expect you to train so that you could attain a good standard, so unless you are prepared for such a commitment do not waste your and their time.
A word of warning though. For purely self defence training, always make sure that the instructor is qualified in self defence. Instructors who teach martial arts will be registered with their own govern-ing body.
The contents of this book provide information that may save a person against a serious assault.
“I told my daughter what to do if she was attacked. I spoke to her on the telephone and explained. She rang me some weeks later to thank me. She had been attacked and defended using what I had said. It worked. She’s safe” .....Jones (Leicester)
“My schoolboy son was followed by someone who attempted to take his telephone. I had shown him what to do, in fact I had practiced with him. He said “It was so easy. They were so surprised, they ran away.” ... McCoy (Birkenhead) 8