What is Self-Defense?

Legal Aspects

Self-defense is basically a legal concept that acknowledges that when a person makes a claim of self-defense, they are admitting the use of violence, and that they are effectively breaking the law, but that they are doing so because it was necessary, in order for them to effectively protect themselves from harm, injury and/or death. This is an important concept/idea to understand because somebody making such a claim is admitting to being guilty of using physical force/violence against another(s) and will have to prove they were justified in doing so, usually before a judge or a jury. This is the criminal aspect of a claim of self-defense and if unsuccessful in doing so could result in a custodial sentence.

There is also the potentially the civil aspect of a claim of self-defense where a person involved in the confrontation, could potentially bring a suit against the person who made the claim of self-defense seeking financial compensation for the injuries and harm that they received during the confrontation. In such cases the burden of proof is not reasonable doubt but the preponderance of the evidence. This is often illustrated by using two stacks of paper, both containing the identical number of sheets. If one sheet is taken from one stack to the other, then this represents the level of proof that is necessary to prove guilt.

Women’s Self-Defense

Women’s self-defense refers to and looks at the specific and distinct threats and dangers that women face as pertains to aggression and violence. For reality-based self-defense to be effective it has to acknowledge that different groups/sub-groups face different realities. Whilst men are targeted for rape and sexual assault, this occurs at a lower and less frequent rate than women. This makes dealing with sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape a more significant part of women’s self-defense training. Women are also more likely to be victimized by partners than men, and although it is beyond the scope of a self-defense program to present and teach solutions to intimate partner violence (IPV), women’s self-defense programs can play a role in teaching women how to identify and predict potentially abusive partners in the early stages of a relationship.

Multiple Assailants

Having to deal with a single assailant/aggressor can be complicated and difficult, however when dealing with two or more it becomes a much more complex and dangerous scenario to deal with. Aggressive groups are extremely volatile, and the actions of one member can triggers those of others who may have initially been looking to avoid a physical confrontation. It is also not always apparent as to who is actually driving the confrontation, as an instigator or “leader” of a group may not reveal their role, allowing more vocal members the opportunity to drive the confrontation – this is especially true with organized groups/gangs who may be wanting to test and see how members act and react in aggressive situations. However, group violence shouldn’t always be equated with gang violence, as most groups are informally linked, without distinct positions within them.

When dealing with a single aggressor, it should be assumed – from a safety perspective – that they have friends and associates in the environment who can come and assist them. Believing, that you are facing the only aggressor in a scenario, puts you at risk of losing the awareness of your surroundings, and any other threats it may contain e.g., you may be successfully defending yourself against one attacker and fail to identify a second who is coming up behind you, looking to smash a bottle over the back of your head etc. In any physical, or potentially physical confrontation, you should not become tunnel-visioned and assume that your only threat and danger is the person you see in front of you. A fight is not simply about dealing with the immediate threat i.e., the person you are facing, but about having control of your environment.

When you make the assumption that an aggressor has others who can come to their assistance, exiting the confrontation and the environment takes on a new urgency. The longer a confrontation continues, whether it is verbal or physical, the more time and opportunities are created for third parties to intervene. This is one of the reasons why disengagement should always be the priority, and if you have to engage physically, it is to create an opportunity to exit the scenario. This strategy also puts you in a better position legally, as you are unlikely to use disproportionate force/violence.