Self-defense

This article deals with the concept of defending oneself from an attack. For the legal usage, see Self-defense (theory)

Self-defense refers to actions taken by a person to prevent another person from causing harm to one's self, one's property or one's home.

Self-defense is also a commonly understood legal term in United States law used to categorize an act of violence as being justified against an unjustified aggressor, and therefore deserving of little or no punishment; it is often used interchangeably with the term "Justifiable homicide" (compare to Homicide). The issue of what constitutes acceptable self-defense has typically been hotly debated throughout U.S. history virtually anytime someone is acquitted of a killing in self-defense. For example, shooting an assailant once might be categorized as self-defense while shooting the same assailant five times may not be so held. Self-defense against the illegal actions of police were held justifiable in 1900 in the U.S. Supreme Court Case John Bad Elk v. U.S., and supported by other court cases like Runyan v. State.

Forms of self-defense

Self-defense strategies form the basis of numerous martial arts, especially East Asian martial arts, which usually provide self-defense classes as part of their curricula.

The 1980's/1990's saw the growth in popularity of systems that are termed 'Reality Based Martial Arts', that are based upon traditional martial artists experience and the techniques, strategeies and tactics that they have employed, or on systems used by Law Enforcement and/or Military Agencies (Such as Commando Krav Maga, the system used by elite Israeli military units.)

Many schools of self-defense also teach theoretical strategies aimed at avoiding or defusing physical confrontations. The curriculum for such courses commonly teach positioning strategies and strengthening the defender's self-confidence in front of an aggressor, which is purported to discourage some physical attacks. Some studies, for instance, including those by David Lisak, have shown perpetrators who sexually assault acquaintances test their victims first. The perpetrator will gradually cross the potential victim's boundaries through techniques such as touching or making inappropriate sexual comments. If the victim responds with discomfort or fear his or her intrusive behavior may escalate to sexual assault. Victims who responded to these early tactics with consistent assertiveness avoided rape. Academic studies such as these are of course quite subjective.

Scenario-based self defense training

Having to physically defend oneself (e.g. blocks, punches, kicks, weapons, etc) should be considered the last line of self-defense, that needs to be used if several other techniques and strategies have failed which can often be much more effective than physical self-defense. Even if one is quite capable of physical self-defense, it is still often best to avoid being in a situation of having to physically defend oneself, because of possible:

• Legal trouble.
• Injury.
• Revenge from attacker, on not just the defender, but family, friends, or property of the defender.
• Use of firearms or edged weapons by attacker.
• Multiple attackers and only one defender.

It is always better to use techniques to avoid or diffuse trouble before it gets to oneself, e.g:

• Stay in groups at night
• Park in well-lit areas
• Avoid excess consumption of alcohol or drugs which could make you intoxicated and vulnerable
• Try not to attract too much attention from potential attackers
• Don't hang out with violent people you can't trust
• Don't attend parties or other gatherings (especially where alcohol and or drugs are being heavily consumed) where there are people (especially groups) you don't know and/or can't trust, who could become violent.
• Don't unnecesarily use violent language, threats or fighting stances (e.g. fists up, especially if a potential attacker tells you to do so) (genuine or joking), because:
  • A potential attacker may seize upon this as a Self-defense (theory) legal excuse for attacking, even if they know there is no real threat.
  • An intoxicated (or generally violent) person may perceive this as a genuine attack or threat and attack you pre-emptively.
• If attack is imminent, there are further options before physical self-defense may be required:
  • Escaping by running or driving away, if possible.
  • Attracting attention from others who may be able to help defend you or frighten or distract attackers, by:
    • Yelling or screaming.
    • Personal alarm.
    • Emergency telephone number (000 in Australia, 911 in the United States, 112 on all GSM cell phones, etc.)
  • Physical barrier, such as locking yourself in a building or vehicle.
• etc

but sometimes there isn’t a viable option before physical self-defense. An important aspect of self-defense training is teaching techniques in the context of self-defense or “attack” scenarios. One person will play the role of the defender, and one (or more) people will have the role of the aggressor. Systems such as jujutsu make considerable use of this training methodology.

Responsibility of application

There is considerable debate amongst individuals as to what constitutes an acceptable level of physical force during self-defense. Some individuals prefer a limited pacifist response, while others advocate means up to and including deadly force, such as firearms. In martial art terms, acceptable force is that which is required to prevent the assailant from carrying out further violent actions. Laws vary from country to country as to the level of force one is capable of using in defending one's self from an attacker. A responsible self-defense teacher will teach students to respond with the force necessary to defend themselves based on the situation, lest they find themselves in serious legal trouble.

National self-defense

In politics, the concept of national or mutual self-defense to counter a war of aggression refers to a defensive war organised by the state, and is one possible criterion in the Just War theory.

See also

• Anti-rape female condom
• Personal safety
• Nonresistance
• Hand to hand combat
• Carrying concealed weapon
• Gun politics
• Goshin Jujitsu
• Krav Maga

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