This is the second in our series on the four rules for maximizing your chances of surviving a violent encounter. We have already learned that the first rule is to react immediately. Now we go to the next rule:

Rule # 2

Resist.

Your choice here is between submitting and resisting. Many people believe if they comply with the wishes of their assailant, they won’t be hurt. Your attacker knows this and he will either promise not to hurt you if you do what he asks or he will threaten to hurt you if you don’t do what he asks. Either way, you need to remember that criminals are also liars. People are inclined to do nothing because it is the easiest thing to do and because the tendency under these circumstances is to ‘freeze up’. Now is the time to decide what you fear the most. Are you more afraid of physical injury or are you more afraid of being physically and psychologically controlled by a violent criminal, who may intend to rape and/or kill you anyway?

When you have decided to resist and take action, you have won the battle against fear. You are now making an effort to control your own destiny instead of leaving it up to the whims of a violent criminal. It is well known that successful resistance to rape is primarily a function of the mindset of the victim. A compliant victim will usually be raped. A victim who screams, kicks, punches, scratches and does everything they can think of makes it very difficult for the attacker. One thing that may make a huge difference for you is to do whatever mental exercise you need to do to place your mind into a state of rage. No one is more dangerous than an enraged person. How would you react if the attacker was committing the same crime against one of your children? What would you be willing to do to that attacker if you could get your hands on him? That’s what you need to do.

Concentrate

One of the major obstacles to resisting is a sensation of ‘floating’. Some victims have described it as almost an ‘out of body’ experience where they could see the attack taking place as if it were happening to someone else in their presence. The best way to combat this from happening to you is to concentrate and to try to maintain your focus on resisting and escaping. Establishing this mindset of resistance beforehand and practicing potential scenarios with a partner will also help you to overcome this.

Immediate, Direct & Explosive

Let these three words be your motto for resistance. You want to go to work on your attacker immediately with everything in your power and being. Your body will undergo major changes due to an adrenaline dump when your life is threatened and if you can channel that additional strength into explosive resistance, even a small person can do a lot of damage to their attacker.

Scream & Yell

Criminals hate attention. When someone hears another screaming, it draws their attention. However, that is not the only reason. Screaming also helps to block out everything else and focuses you on the task at hand. It also increases your strength, helps you exert more force and causes you to feel less pain if you are injured by your attacker.

Fighting Back