Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!watarts!cdanderson From: cdanderson@watarts.UUCP Newsgroups: net.women Subject: Re: Self Defense Message-ID: <2116@watarts.UUCP> Date: Thu, 23-Feb-84 18:36:39 EST Article-I.D.: watarts.2116 Posted: Thu Feb 23 18:36:39 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 25-Feb-84 06:50:53 EST References: <311@houxu.UUCP> hlexa.1314 Lines: 29 a Unfortunately, courses in self-defense can harm a person. If, for example, you have just taken a few-week course (and some are offered in just a few hours) you may come to believe that it is possible to ward off an attacker and tend to walk in places or times that, before, you would not have. As such, perhaps the best things to be taught in such courses (and some do) are that this one course will not make one invincible and that quick, full-force retaliation is required if one takes this course of action. Problems still arise however as keeping people segregated or always on the alert are harmful and that if retaliation is not successful, the amount of force used by the rapist will likely increase. Remember, rape is not an act of sex but one of violence/domination in which sex is involved. Unfortunately, self-defense courses "may" also swing the focus of anti- rape activities towards arming everyone instead of reeducating the actual or potential rapist so that rape is not a considered action. Take the courses, but be aware of their limitations and remember that they are not the answer. As well, be wary of rip-off courses designed primarily to capitalize on the fear of being assaulted. Cameron Anderson watarts!cdanderson Six years of competitive wrestling but never invulnerable!