How to defend yourself on the street

[JohnnyA]

I am a transsexual, I moved to a ghetto. I have to walk a lot and I get yelled at on the street. If anyone accosts me what is my best bet for defending myself?

I have no hand to hand skills yet or anything.

A gun isn't an option.

Stun gun? Rape whistle? Take some classes? Someone was telling me about a bra that has a flash bang device in it.

Thanks

 

[sereneone4u]

I would say at the very least a self-defense course.

 

[strapon_tales]

A self-defence class would be the best move, but one thing I learned from sword-fighting is that pretty much every battle can be won or lost depending on how well you use your environment. If you can find somewhere to escape to, or find something to hit your attackers with, or find some way of distracting them, that's just as good as being a seasoned fighter.

 

[Christopher2012]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEv6i-lhIWc

 

[gregor2001us]

If you feel the yelling could escalate into physical violance, then you should consider your options, and you probably have a number of them. Can you travel with friends? More than one person generally makes you less of a target.

Having a whistle, planning to yell "FIRE", carrying pepper spray are all easy and immediately available. Don't forget about a cell phone at the ready to call 911 and take photos. If you are being yelled at at night, a good flashlight can be a great tool for disorienting and allowing escape. Also, consider your routes of travel and how you dress. Avoiding certain spots, or adjusting the timing of your travels may help. Being able to run and move easily can help you disengage.

Learning communication skills and verbal ways to deal with different situaions could be an option. Sometimes simply rehearsing and thinking through different scenarios can help.

If you feel you need to go beyond those options, guns, knives and "hand to hand" take time to learn but are options to con sider, more longer term options. The most effective training I am aware of is Systema, but it is effective because you take the time to do it. It is very hands on and focuses on what is effective for you and how to deal with stress and combat in ways that work for you. They have training scattered around and there are DVDs as well.

http://www.russianmartialart.com/

A lot of surviving a confrontation is mental. Situational awareness and staying calm under stress. Learning things that can tip you off so you can do things to disenguge or try to prevent the situation form escalating. Being sensitive to what is going on. Being committed to surviving.

You need to consider what you are comfortable with, consider shorter solutions and longer terms solutions, including moving to another area.

Regards

 

[GrimsPet]

When I was in college I seemed to always end up in situations where I would be walking home at night alone. I learned really fast several things that probably saved me numerous times:

1) Walk fast like you are in a hurry to get somewhere. Miscreants are more likely to attack if you are walking slow.

2) If someone tries to talk to you, don't respond just keep walking.

3) Hold your keys in your dominant hand like brass knuckles and walk around with them like that. Anyone you hit with those is going to feel it for a very LONG time.

4) High heels are excellent weapons. You can seriously actually kill someone with a well placed blow.

5) Never underestimate the power of fingernails. They scratch, they gouge - keep your hands in motion on the target - don't slow down - and they won't get nabbed by the target.

6) Should someone manage to get you down, kick, BITE, scratch, flail, punch - anything you can do to keep them from completely getting the upper hand. I remember years ago now reading an article where a woman tore out the throat of her assailant because he had her pinned down and she lashed up and grabbed onto his throat with her teeth and let them sink in and didn't let go till he stopped moving - yes she killed him.

7) Remember to keep your assailant from getting within arm's reach of you if at all possible. The farther you keep them away with your own defense tactics, the better your chance of escape.

8) MACE/Pepper Spray. I actually had some in college a professor friend of mine let me borrow when I was having harassment issues in the dorm. I carried it with me everywhere - including to the shower. Having Pepper Spray or Mace on you is illegal in some states/counties. Heck it was where I went to school but I still had it. I had a right to defend myself and you do as well. While I typically don't condone illegal usage of items, in this case when it comes to escaping with your life from a possible bad situation I don't care how illegal something might be. Use it.

Someone else above mentioned self-defense classes. It's a a good option and if you have the funds to do so I suggest enrolling in one if you can. Also it wouldn't hurt to let the local authorities know that you have had some problems. This way if something does happen there is a record that there have been problems in the past. You have a fundamental right to be able to walk someplace without being hurt and a fundamental right to the freedom of expressing who you are without retaliation. Above everything you have the fundamental right to protect yourself.

 

[bobinks2]

8) MACE/Pepper Spray. I actually had some in college a professor friend of mine let me borrow when I was having harassment issues in the dorm. I carried it with me everywhere - including to the shower. Having Pepper Spray or Mace on you is illegal in some states/counties. Heck it was where I went to school but I still had it. I had a right to defend myself and you do as well. While I typically don't condone illegal usage of items, in this case when it comes to escaping with your life from a possible bad situation I don't care how illegal something might be. Use it.

Make that pepper spray, not mace. Mace won't stop an attacker, pepper spray will.

Also, it's illegal for them to attack you, which in my mind kind of negates any illegality of carrying pepper spray in your area.

 

[Cameo_Fleur]

Walk away from buildings, walk near the curb. Walk fast and pusposefully as if you're going somewhere important in a hurry.

Look straight ahead at all times and don't acknowledge anything any person says/shouts/calls out to you.

Care pepper spray. If you have to use it spray it in a big "Z" formation in front of the man's face, that way it gets his eyes, nose and mouth. It will stop him.

Carry your keys in you hand, right hand if you're right-handed, with a key protruding from between each finger. If you must smack a guy, hit him with the keys and scrape them down his face. Guarenteed ouchie that will stop him.

Sign up for a martial arts class. I took up Kung Fu over 20 years ago and it gave me tremendous confidence. You learn to defuse a situation and you learn how to deal with a situation that gets out of hand. Just knowing you can kick the other guy's ass is a big help. I've only had to use one blow in this time....the guy went to the ER. There are several different martial arts to choose from, Kung Fu, Karate, check them out and see which one works best for you.

This sounds odd, but scream "FIRE" as loudly as possible. For some psychological reason people will respond to that but not to a scream of "HELP".

Hang in there, and Good Luck!

 

[BertrandRussell]

If situations like this, it is really not a contest between weapons, or muscles, or experience. It is a contest between wills. You want to appear resolute, unbreakable, maybe even a bit insane. The only thing that scares a predator more than a person who won't back down is a person who is too crazy to even consider backing down.
If predators know that you will fight back, even if they know that they can win, they will back off.

There are a couple of simple rules to follow:

1) NEVER THREATEN. If you verbally threaten someone and do not follow it up, you look weak. This encourages the predators. Do not threaten by making a fist or other display of a weapon. Keep any weapon - whether it be your fist or a knife or whatever - as concealed as possible until you use it. Don't threaten to do, just do.

2) IF YOU SPEAK TO THEM, BE PREPARED TO USE FORCE. If you do bother to speak to them, demand that they leave you alone. If they don't, you MUST attack them. It is better to ignore them, but if you speak to them, you must be prepared to use force to back it up.

3) DO NOT QUIT EARLY. If you do get attacked, and you successfully defend yourself, finish the fight. Do not just do enough to make your attacker back off. This will be interpreted as a sign of weakness. If the predators know that there is no penalty for trying, they will try multiple times.
When you win the fight, win it thouroughly, Kick him when he is down. Stomp on him. If he runs, chase him - for miles if you can. If you still have your original equipment, once he is lying there bleeding, whip it out and piss on him.
Make sure that there is a penalty for messing with you.

 

[klippert]

move out of the friggin Ghetto. Even though crime can follow you home, living in a low crime area is you safest bet.

A white CD living in the Ghetto.....that is a walking target.

 

[Traveler78]

Also, it's illegal for them to attack you, which in my mind kind of negates any illegality of carrying pepper spray in your area.

If it is illegal you can be charged with carrying it if the cops see it on the street or if you use it on someone (self defense or not). Check the laws and carry something legal.

 

[Traveler78]

When you win the fight, win it thouroughly, Kick him when he is down. Stomp on him. If he runs, chase him - for miles if you can. If you still have your original equipment, once he is lying there bleeding, whip it out and piss on him.
Make sure that there is a penalty for messing with you.

If you seriously hurt someone or kill someone this way you can be charged and may do prison time, even if it started in self defense. If you follow it up by pissing on him, I doubt that would help your case.

You should keep alert while walking around and walk with friends whenever you can.

If pepper spray is legal, it's probably your best option (besides moving out of the ghetto) combined with a couple of self defense classes that teach you how to carry it, what to do to follow up after spraying, and what is considered legal self defense vs. what will land you in jail. Keep in mind being a transexual in jail probably isn't a better option then being one in the ghetto, so learning what is a legal course of action is actually an important thing to do.

 

[sethp]

I teach self defense. You need some training. Self Defense--Kempo or Krav Maga and you need constant training to keep up on your techniques...at least once a week. It's generally fun and a good way to stay in shape as well. Next you need some street smarts....pepper spray can be effective but can also blow back into your eyes. Can you handle that? Guns? Can you reach it in time and could you pull the trigger? I recommend the following...google Kubaton key chain. not sharp, not illegal and you can use it on eyes, head, throat ribs etc. Next step is move somewhere safer...and if you can't start making some friends there....shop owners, neighbors etc. start networking it can save your life.

 

[badman1985]

i used to get jumped when i lived in new york, your best bet is to get in shape and learn a few things (don't carry any weapon you aren't willing to use), but i see nothing wrong with running away. sometimes you just know that the person messing with you may be willing to kill you. plus if you are in good shape you can make the run after you for a block or two then fight they will be tired and shocked that you did a 180 to knock them the fuck out

 

[Ex Princess]

All of my defense knowledge comes from violent video games. Not sure how helpful it is, but try kicking them in the nuts and steal their car?

Just kidding, but really, aim for the family jewels.

 

[PhilGarlic]

look

look and act confident, learn to run fast!

 

[sereneone4u]

Men expect you to go for their nuts...go for the eyes..poke them HARD...take the palm of your hand, the heel part and hit them upwards in the nose...also, kick the knees hard...knees are weak and easy to break...block with your forearms

 

[Corbal]

Um... take advice from a white girl that grew up in the ghetto....Reality is people fuck with you cause you're TG/CD and you're white. Don't walk around past sunset, try to always be with someone of at all possible and take up for yourself when it matters. Most people talk shit but aren't about shit. They talk a lot of game but have no bite. Don't carry cash, or a purse if you can help it, don't wear fancy shit and mind your own business. Contrary to common belief most people can walk around a ghetto and not get fucked with. Get to know the neighborhood, quick ways to get in and around, just in case you need to split quick. Get to know your neighbors, say what's up when you see them and eventually you'll find that most of them are good people. There's a saying, 'don't start none, and won't be none.' Iggy the catcalls and punks, you don't want friction if you can avoid it.

 

[sereneone4u]

Um... take advice from a white girl that grew up in the ghetto....Reality is people fuck with you cause you're TG/CD and you're white. Don't walk around past sunset, try to always be with someone of at all possible and take up for yourself when it matters. Most people talk shit but aren't about shit. They talk a lot of game but have no bite. Don't carry cash, or a purse if you can help it, don't wear fancy shit and mind your own business. Contrary to common belief most people can walk around a ghetto and not get fucked with. Get to know the neighborhood, quick ways to get in and around, just in case you need to split quick. Get to know your neighbors, say what's up when you see them and eventually you'll find that most of them are good people. There's a saying, 'don't start none, and won't be none.' Iggy the catcalls and punks, you don't want friction if you can avoid it.

Excellent advice. Don't go looking for trouble and be proactive.

 

[sethp]

Men expect you to go for their nuts...go for the eyes..poke them HARD...take the palm of your hand, the heel part and hit them upwards in the nose...also, kick the knees hard...knees are weak and easy to break...block with your forearms

Better advice was never given.. Men do expect you to go for their nuts. that should not be the first target..go eyes..ears ...throat.. and then while they're trying to protect the face ....ya go for the nuts!

 

[sweettreat601]

A can of wasp/flying insect spray can be tucked down inside of a medium sized handbag and has a spray range of 30 feet which may buy you a little more time and distance than pepper spray. It shoots a steady, concentrated stream, plus it's legal to carry and inexpensive to buy. Best of luck to you!

 

[bailadora]

move out of the friggin Ghetto. Even though crime can follow you home, living in a low crime area is you safest bet.

A white CD living in the Ghetto.....that is a walking target.

Call me crazy, but I'm thinking if the OP could afford to live elsewhere, he would.

 

[boredVAwife]

You said a gun was not an option. If it isn't a legal issue then I would suggest to take a handgun training course and raise your confidence about them and perhaps it will then become an option. I have had a ccp (concealed carry permit) for years and though I don't always have it I feel more secure when I do. Also if you have a purse don't ever put a weapon there because you will never retreive it in time. I carry my 9mm under my vest in a shoulder holster and you can conceal pepper spray or mace the same way. Also as far as going for other parts of the body......A man will protect what your eyes are looking at. If you want to kick to the groin DO NOT LOOK THERE. A very quick thrust to the adams apple will stop just about anybody period. Gently push on the windpipe and imagine what a short quick thrust would do. Kicking the knee inward also is very very effective. It is not expected, extremely painful and makes it hard for them to catch you when they are hobbling around.

 

[Wyrdlight]

In the sort term get some pepper spray, conceal some car keys in your fist (to add some sting to your punch) ot somthing similar.

In the long term, take a martial arts class, I do Kung Fu which is great. Simple do whatever martial art appeals.

There are some tips I can give that may help in a confrontation.

1. kick the side of thier knee. This will end a fight instantly, regardless of thier size or strength, done right you will snap thier knee joint or dislocate thier knee cap, and will cripple them, proberly leaving them with a limp for life.

Simple turn your toe out and kick with your forward leg, aiming at the joint, or at the shin to scrape down, the first blow will break somthing, the second cause huge pain.

Then run.

2. Cup a hand and slap them HARD in the ear, will hurt, alot and most likly burst thier ear drum, causing massive pain, and huge disoerientation.

Then run.

3. Kick them in the groin, dont telegraph it, look at thier face, maybe distract em by throwing a fake wallet at them etc then flick your leading leg up, toes curled into their groin. Dont dod it too hard, you only need a bit of force.

Then Run.

4. If you can get hold on an arm pull it staright so the elbo os locked, whilst holding it locked via wrest, turn and throw your weight against their arm via your shoulder, will snap thier arm at the elboow like a twig and/or dislocate thier arm at the shoulder.

IF you break the arm, it will be a very, very, very messy compound fracture, will cripple them utterly.

Then run.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

What you believe about YOU determines how others treat you.

I'm sixty-something, and people who intertact with me naturally sense that theyre better off playing with easier victims. That is, they may likely kick my old ass AND they may likely lose a testicle or eye doing it. I aint no cherry boy when it comes to ass-whuppins.

Chester Himes wrote a wonderful scene in his novel ALL SHOT UP. In the scene a large young man attacks a stumbling old wino, and the wino sticks a blade thru the young man's skull. That simple action stopped the violence quicker than any anger management course ever could. One trial learning.