How can I defend myself

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Practice these self defense movements with a friend, so that you will be prepared to fight off an attacker. Hit him as hard as you can. Do not be afraid to hurt him—he is not afraid to hurt you.

If you are attacked from behind

• Hit him hard in the stomach with your elbow.
• Step down hard on his foot with your heel.
• Reach back with your hand, grab his testicles (balls), and squeeze them hard.
• With your heel, kick him hard in his lower leg or knee.

If you are attacked from the front

• Dig your fingers hard into his eyes.
• Make 2 fists and hit him on each side of his head, or on his ears.
• Make your hands into fists and hit him as hard as you can on his nose.
• Lift your knee, and push it as hard and fast as you can into his testicles (balls).

More self defense ideas:

• If you are in a public place and someone tries to hurt or abuse you, shout as loudly as you can.
• Do something he might find disgusting, such as drooling spit (saliva), or trying to vomit, or acting as though you are ‘crazy’.
• If the abusive person is someone in your family, try to talk about it with another family member you trust.

Sources

• Burns, A. A., Niemann, S., Lovich, R., Maxwell, J., & Shapiro, K. (2014). Where women have no doctor: A health guide for women. Hesperian Foundation.
• Audiopedia ID: en020311