Introduction

Jwala Mahila Samiti presents this module for

raising awareness as to why self defense is
important in a women’s life. This guide is laid
out underlooking the current scenario of the
society & is designed as a guide to self defense
for beginners. Self defense helps an individual
to build confidence, it has a positive impact on
one’s life. It will help you to defend yourself
whenever you feel threatened, teaches you self
respect, develops self discipline and also helps
to develop a warrior spirit.

It's All About You! Your First Line Of Defense

a) Correct posture (keep your feet about
shoulder-width apart)
b) Breathing (try to take long breaths to avoid
anxiety)
c) Eyes (look directly into the eyes of other with
aggression)
d) Grounding/Balanced (stand up straight and tall)
e) Be aware of your personal space (feel
comfortable and secured)
f) Be aware of your environment (know your
surroundings)
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 Basic Moves Everyone Should Know

1. To begin, memorize the vulnerable places.

No matter how large or how heavy your attacker

is, you can hit anyone if you know where the
most vulnerable spots are. The most important
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 are the eyes, nose, throat, chest, knees and
groin.

2. The simplest and most effective

movements:

One of the best moves that causes a huge growl

or falls to your knees is to grab your wrist. Take
your little finger and your ring finger with one
hand and your middle and index finger with the
other and bend your wrist forward.
If you cannot grab your opponent's hand, use
your fist or finger to strike between the
collarbones or the Adam's apple. In this way,
you can disorient your opponent to the point
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where it will take a long time before he regains
his senses.

The most obvious area for an attack is the bar.

If you hit this area, the attacker will literally be
paralyzed and you will have enough time to
escape.
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3. If you were grabbed from the front:

If he grabs you from the front and you can't raise

your hands, do the following: move your hands
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 forward and close your fist in front of your
pelvis. This creates enough space between you
and the attacker.

Then hit the attacker's nose with the forehead.

This removes the attacker from you. Now hit
him in the groin with his knee.

If there is still space between you and the

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 attacker, you can protect yourself with the palm
of your hand. Extend your left arm and strike
the attacker on the chin and nose with your
right arm.
4. How to free your hands:

You can easily escape from a fortress if you

remember the "golden rule": turn your arm to
the side of the attacker's thumb.
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When he is holding his arm, turn the wrist to the
thumb. If your arm is under the attacker, pull
your arm as hard as possible.
5. If they caught you from behind:
Attackers often come from behind because it is
the easiest way to hold the victim's arms so that
they cannot move them.

To free yourself, sit down quickly and try to hit the

attacker on the neck. If you cannot, you can ask
the attacker to put one of his legs forward.
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Now quickly lean back, take her leg and stand up
and pull her with you. Now the attacker loses
balance and you can drop even the biggest
enemy.
6. If they approach you and grab you from the
side:
One elbow strike is one of the most dangerous
strikes in all martial arts. This is exactly the shot
you need when you approach from the side.

Hit the temple, jaw or nose of the attacker with a

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 curved movement. The attacker then takes a
few steps back. Now hit him in the stomach or
chest. The blows on the elbows are so strong
that they disorient any opponent.
7. If you were pressed against the wall:

When both arms of the attacker are raised,

stretch the palm of your hand and strike them
under the armpit.
If one of your arms is lowered, you may hit your
opponent with your chest, neck, or jaw.
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 But one of the most effective and powerful blows
is a blow to the head. Squat slightly lower than
your opponent. Then quickly jump up and hit
him in the jaw with your forehead. This move
will instantly disorient the attacker.
Basic Things to Keep in Mind
Street Sense:
a) Wherever you are on the street, in an office
building or shopping mall, driving, waiting for
a bus or cab, stay alert and tuned in to your
surroundings.
b) Trust your instincts. If something or
someone makes you uncomfortable, avoid
the person or leave.
c) Know the neighborhoods where you live
and work. Check out the locations of police
and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals,
and restaurants, or stores that are open late.

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On Foot (Day or Night):
• Stick to well-lighted, well-traveled streets.
Avoid shortcuts.
• Don't flash money or other tempting targets like
jewelry or clothing.
• Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling
by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or
front pants pocket, not a back pocket. Carry only
what is necessary and try not to keep currency
and credit cards all in one place.

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 • If someone harasses you, don't think much
SHOUT, “Leave me alone! Someone call
the police! Get away! “Have in hand a self-
defense weapon such as Mace, pepper spray,
stun gun.

Vehicle Safety:
• Keep your car in good running condition. Make
sure there's enough Petrol, Diesel, Oil to get
where you're going and back
• Always roll up the windows and lock car doors,
even if you're coming right back. Check inside
and out before getting in.
• Avoid parking in isolated areas. Be especially
alert in lots and underground parking garages.
On the bus:
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 • Use a bus stop you know is usually busy and is
well lit someone at the other end know which bus
you plan to catch. They could always meet you
at your stop.
• Sit close to the driver. If someone starts up a
conversation, be confident, but don't give away
personal information like where you live or work.

By Train:
Wait on a well-lit section of the platform, close to
the exit or where there are other people around.
Many stations now have CCTV cameras and
staff that are trained to deal with emergencies
When you get on the train try to sit in a busy
compartment and keep any bags and personal
possessions you have next to you If you feel
uncomfortable switch seats or even consider
getting off the train and catching the next one.
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Taking a Taxi:
Carry the phone number of a taxi or mini cab firm
you know, and whenever you book a taxi ask
them for the driver's name and the type of car
they will be driving
If you have to book your taxi in a public place, do
it quietly where people are unlikely to overhear
your name and address
If you can, share a taxi with a friend and have
your money ready and keys handy at the end of
your journey so that you can enter your home
quickly

If ever you feel uneasy in a taxi ask the driver to

stop in a busy place that you know well, and get
out

Self Defense Tips:

a) Do as much as you can to avoid confrontation-

‘anticipation and avoidance’ are the key words.
If you get caught up in a situation, try to talk to
an aggressor without provoking them.
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b) Practice relaxation, as appearing fearful or
stressed can actually provoke an attack.
Remember that body language is important in
aggressive situations.
c) Steady yourself if danger threatens. Panic can
disable you, so again it's useful to learn how to
keep control in a difficult situation. And if you
must fight back, adopt what police term the
bash and dash' approach, Primary targets are
the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, throat, groin,
knees or shins; choose whichever is easiest to
get to.
d) Once you've achieved your primary aim of
stunning or surprising your attacker, get away
as fast as you can. IF you manage to
overcome them don't attack again.

Jogging And Phone Safety

Jogging Safety:
a) Jog with a partner.
b) Jog in familiar areas, and avoid secluded
places.
c) Do not jog alone after dark
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 d) Wear a reflective vest during hours of
darkness Carry a whistle
e) Always be aware of your surroundings.

Phone Calls:
a) Dealing with obscene or annoying phones
calls.
b) Do not talk to strangers.
c) Do not interview the caller to try to find out who
he or she is.

Party Safety:

a) Don't accept drinks from strangers.

b) Don't leave your drink unattended
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c) Dispose of your drink if you think it tastes odd
(if you just leave it, someone else may drink it).
d) When in bars or clubs always get your drink
directly from the bartender and do not take
your eyes off the bartender or your order; don't
use the waitress or let somebody go to the bar
for you.
e) At parties, only accept drinks in closed
containers: bottles, cans or tetra packs.
f) Be aware of the behavior of your friends.
g) If you are going home with someone different,
let someone know. Introduce them to your
friends.

Tips For Personal Safety (Confronting Danger)

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a) Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong,
something is probably wrong.
b) Carry bags close to your body.
c) Look confident.
d) Tell someone where you are going and when
you expect to be back.
e) If you are being followed, head for a crowded
place.
f) Remember there is no right or wrong
approach to dangerous situations.
g) lf there are other people around, yell loudly
enough to get their attention to what the
assailant is doing.
h) If you are alone and do not know anyone on
the street or nearby, try calling a name out to
make the attacker or assailant to believe you
may be with someone. This may also help if you
are alone at home.
i) If someone has a weapon stay calm and wait
for an opportunity.

Guidelines related to the safety of the girl child

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1 Guardian should remain with them while going
out.
2 Do not leave minor girls alone with strangers/
neighbours.
3 Girl child should have parents' name and
address on school bags / girls should remember
their home phone number.
4 Never tell strangers the address and telephone
number.
5 Girls never tell on the phone that they are
alone at home.

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 Guidelines for women travelling alone

1 Make sure you have your mobile charged

before traveling late at night.
2 Always keep in touch with your friends and
family members through the phone during the
journey.
3 During the journey, do not share your cab with
a stranger under any circumstances.
4 Keep self-defense equipments in your bag,
such as whistle, pepper spray, pocketknife, and
screwdriver and keep them in such a way that
you can reach them easily in an emergency.
5 Take a photo of your vehicle and driver and
send it to your husband / guardian / friends.

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 Safety Guidelines for Housewives

1 Put a magic eye and chain on the door.

2If possible, keep a pet dog,
3 do not take a lift from strangers.
4 Do not accept presents from strangers.
5 Do not go to any friend's house without telling
your parents / husband.
6 Give a flashlight, whistle and wooden sticks to
the keepers / watchmen. Advise him to keep in
touch with the local police officers.

Safety measure for working women

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1 Keep correct information of office areas
2 Keep information about safe places and paid
phone bases Plan accidental evacuation.
3 Consider the actions that can be taken under
different circumstances and plan ahead of time
how you will deal with such situations.
4 Do not work till late night.
5 If you are working late into the night, inform the
security department or a friend and tell them
when you are expected to finish your work.

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Personal Safety Apps for Women
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1. With you
This app gets activated
as soon as the phone
turns on. It is updated
every two minutes with
casual information of the
place. It can even send 'I
am in danger', ’I need
help, Please follow me’
messages in case of emergency.

2. Raksha — Women Safety Alert

Send location alert to emergency contacts even
without switching on the app by pressing
volume button. Can also dial 100 and sends
SMS where there is no
mobile internet.

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3. Chilla : Women safety app with scream detection

"Chilla" is a personal safety &

security app that can be triggered by
just a shrill scream . It totally
removes the hassles of unlocking
the phone or opening the app. It has
been found that in cases where
someone follows a girl / women or
eve-teases her , she generally
doesn't calls out to parents or police and if they attack
her , the app is of no use to her then. In that situation
scream is a natural reaction and tapping that is the best
possible way to bring her help.

4. B Safe - Share the location

This app allows your casual
contacts to follow you on the
basis of GPS, set a timed
alarm in it, which turns off if
you don't check 'till the
scheduled time, this app will
send your phone through a
fake call.
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Essential Self Defense Equipments
Go smart Shopping! Buy these instead of going
for your expensive clothes, watches, and
footwear.

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 WOMEN HELPLINE
NUMBERS

Women Helpline (All India)

1091
- Women In Distress

Women Helpline Domestic

181
Abuse

Police 100

National Commison For 011-26942369,

Women (NCW) 26944754

Student / Child Helpline 1098

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