The Basic Rules

Violence can happen at any time and anywhere, at home, work, the grocery store, in schools, or on a shopping trip. No one is truly and completely safe all the time.


4 Basic A’s

Attitude-the mindset you have and the image you project
• Project confidence in any situation- even if you don’t have any at that moment
• Keep your head up, walk with determination and a positive attitude
• Always be alert
• Always be ready, do not get distracted
• You can reduce your risks by making simple changes to your lifestyle
• Present a strong overall image

Awareness- seeing what is going on around you
• Intuition- Follow your gut, if something doesn't seem right don't allow yourself to get stuck in a bad situation
“The only real valuable thing is intuition.” Albert Einstein
• Sometimes it’s okay to judge a book by its cover
• Look people in the eyes, they are the window to their soul
• Be wary of people who invade your space and/or make you feel uncomfortable
• Use your memory, if something seems out of place or not where it should be something
• Don’t get too distracted easily
• Use your senses-five senses (feel, touch, hear, see, smell), common sense
“Common Sense is not so common.” Voltaire

Avoidance- simple everyday actions to reduce risk
• Prevention- don’t let yourself get dangerous situations
• Take any precautions possible
• Use good judgment

Action– direct steps to take when confronted
• Verbal self defense- try to calmly reason with your attacker/s
• Decide if it’s fight or flight
• Use your natural weapons- your body
• Never go force against force. Try to get out of the direct line of contact
• Work against the attacker’s thumb to escape grasps
• Use multiple kicks and strikes until the attacker quits
• Yell loudly, it focuses your power and distracts the attacker
• Practice simple self defense tricks-kick, palm heel, wrist release
• Stay on your feet as long as possible


Simple Terms To Keep In Mind
Confidence- Body language, stand straight, shoulders back, chin up
Perseverance-Never quit, set goals, work to reach them
Assertive-Use your voice, stand your ground, express your feelings
“Say what you mean, mean what you say, and don’t be mean when you say it”
Balance-Stable mental or psychological state, emotional stability
Quick exercise: sit up straight, close your eyes, take a deep inner breath. Visualize your anxiety and stress fading away and think calm happy thoughts
Strength-Physical, mental, emotional strength
Courageous- Stick to your words and beliefs
“It’s important that people should know what you stand for. It’s equally important that they know what you won’t stand for.” Mary H. Waldrip
Power-Mind and body