Sexual harassment prevention using self-defense tools
“Self-Defence is nature’s eldest law.” -John Dryden. Prevention of sexual harassment is a major struggle faced by women nowadays. Sexual Harassment is recognized as bullying or coercion of a sexual nature and inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. It includes a range of actions from mild transgressions to sexual abuse, eve-teasing, stalking, physical assault.
The vulnerable victims include not just women but also children and sometimes even men. A common conception prevails in society that promotes victim-blaming.
As a society, we have a long way to go before sexual harassment is completely eradicated from society. Until then it is very important for the victims to be able to defend themselves. It is high time now that we understand, that self-defense is the only means to stop the assaults. In a debate over how to reduce sexual assaults, the introduction of self defence seems to be the only way out.
“Crimes against women were never about sex but about power. Men who grew up with ‘controlled’ women in their households now see women seeking greater freedom, as their contemporaries. They have trouble not having someone subservient to them, so they exploit the one weakness everyone thought was not important – women’s lack of self-protection skills,” says Ashwin Mohan, a martial arts trainer in Bangalore. Researches and studies have proven that women who learned to defend themselves were able to recognize, and avoid risky situations and were more likely to stop the coercive behavior before it escalated.
When you get overpowered by the attacker
At times, It is also possible that the culprit uses weapons to intimidate and control. So it is a good idea to carry along self defence equipment. A wide multitude of devices and gadgets have been introduced that ensure the high-end safety of the user. While there are apps that can update the acquaintances about the most recent location of the users. Gadgets and apps like GPS-enabled smartwatches are also available at an affordable cost. Self defense weapons contain features like strong irritation in the form of gas, non-lethal electric shock, personal alarms, etc. A very thoughtful innovation includes defence equipment embedded in daily use items, like a key ring or a pen. It is very essential to take note of the level of confidence that it brings along with safety.
While there are still people, especially women who feel that they are the weaker sex and they cannot fight using the equipment, they need to understand that, it is just about defending themselves and that is very important. Several self–defense centers are opened up all over the country to encourage the learning of techniques to be able to protect oneself in times of danger. Using safety equipment along with the techniques can empower women and also their families.
Take a stance and fightback- Prevent Sexual Harassment
It is now time to take the beginning step. It’s now or never. It is time to bring a stop to the vicious cycle of assault, social shame, and elimination. The time has come to show that physical power cannot be used to subdue or control. The time has come to fight back.
Stay Safe!
