Boulder has a serial problem
There has been another attack on a woman in Boulder. This makes 6 attacks since Halloween, more than 1 per week.
Self Defense begins long before contact is made. Seems like common sense but let’s just cover some basics here as a reminder;
- After dark, ANY TIME after dark, walk with a friend for any distance that takes you out of sight and earshot of help.
- If you don’t have a friend to walk with, call the non-emergency number for the local Police and wait for a patrol car. BTW, do you have that number stored in your cell phone? Why not? I have the non-emergency number for every department and jurisdiction where I and my family spend time stored in my phone.
- Don’t rely on tools to defend yourself such as pepper spray or whistles. While these tools are valuable, you have to have them at the ready in order to use them effectively, and you may still not be able to deploy them with effectiveness. Just so we’re clear, “at the ready” means in your hand, safety’s disengaged, and ready to use. It doesn’t mean on your keychain and your keychain in your hand.
- Walk alert and with a purpose. Attackers don’t want fights, they want victims.
- Tell someone when and where you’re going. If you suspect you’re being followed, make sure they know you see them and get on the phone right away. Even if you’re not talking to someone, pretend that you are and that you’re relaying information about your location and the person that you suspect is following you.
- Always remember this; a familiar place doesn’t make it a safe place. Too often we get comfortable when we recognize our surroundings. Don’t feel bad, it’s human nature. The problem is that attackers take advantage of our comforts. You can be attacked just the same on your block as on your first visit to a new city. Statistically far more the former than the latter.
Also, trust in your ability and your right to fight. Like I said they are not looking for fights, but for victims. Choose not to be a victim and take control of the situation. Get mad and show it.
As for this latest attack, I’m elated that she was able to fight back and that he ran off. The way it has been reported is very familiar to those of you that train with us, but doesn’t make too much sense. It’s being reported that he knocked her to the ground, got on-top of her and started strangling her. She then kneed him in the groin and he ran off. There isn’t a chance of that happening the way they described, so something must have happened in-between to set up that position for her to knee the groin.
If you ever find yourself in that situation, remember to attempt to clear the choke right away, using large explosive movements at the attackers hands or thumbs. At the same time, buck your hips up EXPLOSIVELY and send him up and then over to the side. It’s important to hold onto his arms so that you go WITH him and end up on your knees in his ‘guard’. Immediately follow up with elbow and hammerfists strikes. Do as much damage as possible and get the heck out of there. Remember, the more physical damage you do the easier it will be for cops to find him later!
