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Self-defense self-defense: The best tips against attacks

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Self-defense for women

Imagine, you walk a street in the evening. Suddenly you realize that someone is following you. What to do? And what if the situation escalates? An expert in self-defense and civil courage gives tips!

Attacks on women happen sometimes, but not always, by strangers and completely unexpectedly on the street. Now it is important to know how to behave.

Many women are scared of being harassed by violent men on the street, in buses and trains, in the bar or anywhere else.

But how should one act if one gets into this situation? Or maybe there are ways to avoid being seen as a possible victim at all?

Oliver Dreber from wehrdichblog.com answered our questions. He regularly gives workshops in Frankfurt / Main on women's self-defense, violence prevention and civil courage.

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- WUNDERWEIB.de: Mr. Dreber, what can I do to not even be seen as a "potential victim"?

Oliver Dreber: "Everything starts with the posture, the inner posture and the posture, and it is not without reason that one also speaks of the victim's posture (curved back, creeping gait, view towards the ground) such behavior or simply weaker (seniors, disabled, children).

Offenders do not like opponents! Therefore, express yourself with your attitude both inside and out, 'NO! - Not with me!' Be self-confident. A stable stance, a clear view, a calm but definite voice and an upright straight posture signal that someone is standing here who is not victimized. "


- I walk a street at night and notice someone is following me (but I'm not sure yet). How do I behave best?

"Before your thought carousel begins to circle and you are imperceptibly approaching a very counterproductive panic, gain security, stop briefly and turn around, little is so fatal as to misjudge a situation, if you feel safer, grab your bag right away and get your cell phone out No one will follow you, take a deep breath and calmly go to your destination.

If someone appears in your field of vision, keep calm. Change the street side and keep your cell phone in your hand. Watch how the passerby behaves.

If it continues to run unresponsive, breathe deeply and go to your destination in peace. If he also changes the side of the street, stay calm and take a self-confident attitude.

If you have the impression that the passer-by is approaching you, speak directly, clearly and loudly. If this does not help, dial 110 and if possible ring the bell at the nearest front door. Keep an eye on the potential aggressor.

Do not engage in conversation or discussion. Make it clear that you do not want a contact ('Stop! Stop, I'm calling the police!'). "


- The man does not give up, now he touches me. What can I do?

"Do not get caught in any case! This can only happen if you allow the aggressor to enter your personal realm, in other words, get too close to yourself, and you should be able to prevent this by providing clear and unambiguous protection.

If you have been caught yet, please do not waste energy with screaming, wild wrangling or ineffective pursuit. Now it has to be fast.

Take a counter-shock measure by calling the attacker for example. For example, you can forcefully hit your tibia or genital area or attack sensitive targets on your face, such as the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. The attacker is distracted by the pain.

Release the handle completely and immediately remove yourself from the danger situation. Dial 110 again, ring on other doors or talk to other passers-by.

Statistics show that women who fight back immediately and purposefully have a 90% lower risk of injury. "


- Another example: I'm not even concerned myself, but I see another woman being harassed. Should I intervene? If yes how?

"Here we are in the field of civil courage ." Civil courage is always needed where the weaker are mocked, mocked, harassed or attacked and unable to defend themselves or defend themselves. "These attacks usually take place in public, anonymous space.

Here every society needs courageous citizens to bring to light such abuses of anonymity. Weaker fellow citizens are protected in all societies. This is civil courage.

Yes, you should intervene! Get your phone out of the bag in advance. Talk to the harassed person and ask if they need help. Stay at a distance.

Make other passers-by aware of the situation. Talk to them directly ("Hey, you with the red jacket!") And get them into the situation. Represent a majority, especially visually and spatially. Where people help each other, the violence is there alone.

If de-escalation is not possible, call 110 or nearby security personnel immediately. How you behave as a courageous citizen to help the weaker and to protect yourself in many German cities in projects in the field of civil courage. "


- I see two men arguing. The situation threatens to escalate, they act violent. What can I do?

"Yes, here too you should help, but without interfering directly with the situation, keep your distance, address the inferior person, and proceed as above, if the situation escalates more quickly, which is more likely to occur among men, you choose Call 110 immediately or call the security staff. "

Photo: Hara Do UG - Workshop offers "Defend yourself!" & "Brave Citizens FFM."

Oliver Dreber is trainer and owner of the Hara Do - Institute for Combat and Communication UG in Frankfurt / Main. He gave us tips on how to avoid attacks.

He regularly gives workshops on self-defense and violence prevention for women in Frankfurt am Main. In his courses, women learn to recognize potential dangers in good time, avoid conflicts and also directly ward off attacks in an emergency.

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