Crime is an Emotional & Physical Problem

Five Principles of Self-Defense ©

Crime is a multifaceted problem for both the criminal and the victim. This principle defines the emotional and physical problem from the perspective of the perpetrator, while also taking into account the victim’s personality within the imposed environmental circumstances.

Principle I is gaining an understanding why, how, and what criminals do while also taking into account your personality, the environment or circumstances, combined with the behavior of the threatening criminal.

Before we can determine what to do during an attack, we must first examine crime, especially sexual assault from the perspective of the perpetrator. This is a critical aspect and the first step in the crime prevention process. Options for self-defense are found when looking at crime from the motivational standpoint of the criminal. We first look at the problem of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking from the criminal’s perspective, only then we can consider our viable options.

Most self-defense classes for women reverse this order working on punches, kicks, or escapes and then trying to apply them to situations without first analyzing the situational conditions. Performing a basic strike or kick may be effective in one instance but painfully wrong and possibly fatal in another instance. Criminal motivation can be somewhat more comprehensible if we view their motivational standpoint.

A rapist may control his victims through threats and intimidation but might equate “hurt” with physical trauma and could never bring himself to beat a woman to gain control. However another rapist may excessively batter his victim believing he cannot punish her enough for the pain she causes him.

The Role Model Mastery process of Model Mugging teaches women how to move with confidence, “If you don’t look like a victim, chances are better you will not become one.” A majority of potentially violent threats can be verbally de-escalated and avoided before they ever become physically violent. But some threats cannot be de-escalated or escape is not possible, and you must determine your best options for survival. Physically fighting is preferably as the last line of defense. Knowing how to fight back allows most graduates the freedom of movement and recognition of rape prevention options to avoid criminals and escape without physically using their fighting skills.

Many women start the physical self-defense class timidly with similar body language of the “good victim” sexual predators will hunt for. However, these same women finish the personal defense class transformed into tough looking targets. They look strong, walk tall, and have the fighting experience and fighting skills to back it up. Comparably when Model Mugging graduates arrive to take the advance womens self-defense course, they bounce confidently into the classroom looking forward to developing their physical skills further.

Students gain experience by apply what they have learned in this principle to their scenarios and in daily crime prevention.

I. Crime Is an Emotional and Physical Problem
Ii. Options
Iii. Preparation
Iv. Mind-Body-Spirit Are One
V. Awareness