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I remember back in college we were told to stay away from the "townies" as they couldn't be trusted. We blindly accepted rides and drinks from our fellow "Falcons", but stayed away and were on guard when around the locals we would meet around town and at the local restaurants and bars. Of course you have to be careful around strangers, we've all learned about stranger danger, but that can be a misleading notion when it comes to self defense. Yes we have to be careful around people we don't know, but the sad truth is that we have to be even more careful around friends of friends, acquaintences and some family members. According to research, victims of sexual assault know their attacker in approximately eight out of 10 cases. The rates are even hight when the victim is a child - a whopping 90 percent of victims know their attacker. Sadly, close to half of all the abusers of children are family members. This isn't to say you can't trust your good friends and close family members. What it is saying is that if you have a bad feeling about a relative, or don't trust a friend of a friend, or a casual acquaintence, then stay on guard when with them. Do not go anywhere with them, do not go in a room alone with them, do not get in a car with them, and watch how they treat and act with others. Never be afraid to trust your instincts, to say "back off", to say "I'm just not comfortable with going with you", to say "I prefer to be in group settings", or to say "Sorry, but I do not want to be alone with you". Once in an uncomfortable situation, always be ready to stand up for yourself, clearly communicate you want that person to leave you alone, and to defend yourself physically to whatever extent necessarily to stop that person from harming you. Submitted by GrandMaster Janice Wood of JP Wood Martial Arts . GM Jan Wood holds a 7th degree black belt in Taekwondo, 4th degree black belt in Koryo Gumdo and 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido. She has a degree in Criminal Justice (law enforcement), and she and her husband own and operate JP Wood Martial Arts in Palatine, Illinois. She can be reached at jpwoodsmaa@msn.com.

Tip # 2: Don’t be alone! Kindergarten teachers are very wise when they tell their young students to stay with their partner two by two. Has anyone ever read the book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum? In the book the author talks about the wisdom he gained years ago when he was young. Amongst many great things he says, “ When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.” He may or may not have realized it, but the author gave some really good self- defense advice in that statement. Think about it . . . how often do you hear that two or three people walking alone were attacked? Not often. One person is easier to attack then two, two easier than three, etc. It is important to remember that there is safety in numbers. Don’t walk, run, or go down the hall alone, especially at dawn or dusk. Simply put, don’t be alone. If you need to go down the hall to throw out the trash or go to a laundry room, ask your roommate or partner to go with you. If you have to walk to your car from a shopping center, ask security to go with you. If you love to run, do it with a partner and pepper spray gel, in a populated area, and not at dusk or dawn. If you are working late, leave work with a fellow employee. If you have to drive at night, especially low populated areas, make sure your phone is charged, gas tank is full, car is in good working order, and don’t stop until you reach your destination. Lastly, enjoy life with the confidence that you are taking the necessary precautions to stay safe! Submitted by GrandMaster Janice Wood of JP Wood Martial Arts . GM Jan Wood holds a 7th degree black belt in Taekwondo, 4th degree black belt in Koryo Gumdo and 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido. She has a degree in Criminal Justice (law enforcement), and she and her husband own and operate JP Wood Martial Arts in Palatine, Illinois. She can be reached at jpwoodsmaa@msn.com.

Tip # 1: Be confident, strong, and take control Criminals, attackers and sexual predators will look for a person they feel they can successfully attack. Even if you don’t feel strong, it is crucial you look and project a feeling of confidence, self-worth and strength when in a threatening situation. This is extremely important – you need to convey you are not easily manipulated or victimized, and you will assert yourself, make a scene, and defend yourself. With shoulders back and hands ready (pepper spray and/or alarm ready too), start looking for your easiest exit point. What should you say? If someone is making you feel uncomfortable and approaching too close to your personal space, simply hold up your hand (like a stop sign) and say “Please move back and give me space. Thank you”. If they are approaching rapidly, say “Back off now”. Even if you are on a deserted island, also say “Mark, Tony get here quick” to project the idea you are not alone. Don’t worry if you might be making a mistake by accusing someone, criminals will hope you will follow social norms and be “afraid” to speak up. If someone is simply walking too close, they will understand and slow down and give you room. Stay safe and confident! Submitted by GrandMaster Janice Wood of JP Wood Martial Arts . GM Jan Wood holds a 7th degree black belt in Taekwondo, 4th degree black belt in Koryo Gumdo and 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido. She has a degree in Criminal Justice (law enforcement), and she and her husband own and operate JP Wood Martial Arts in Palatine, Illinois. She can be reached at jpwoodsmaa@msn.com..