Summary: 21 resources for women's self-defense training, victim assistance, stalking, domestic violence, and advocacy to reduce violence against women.

18.9% of women age 12 and over were a victim of violence in 2004, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The actual number is likely higher, as the number is based on reported crimes. A lot of crime goes unreported.

Let's cut that rate! Whether you are a woman or want to help your loved ones, take action by learning about women's self-defense.

Below are 21 resources for women's self-defense. They include women's self-defense training, victim assistance, stalking, domestic violence, and advocacy to reduce violence against women.

Self-Defense Training

Be prepared when you encounter an attacker. These resources provide women's self-defense and personal protection training programs.

The best training involves scenarios that are close to reality. This includes a awareness strategies, oral de-escalation skills, oral threat from an attacker, and padded assailants to allow you to train full force. Being able to perform under adrenal stress is important, as in a real situation, and adrenaline dump into your system could cause you to freeze.

AWSDA - The American Women's Self Defense Association
http://www.awsda.org/

AWARE - Arming Women Against Rape and Endangerment
http://www.aware.org/

IMPACT is a "model mugging" type training that uses a padded attacker. Several of these women's self-defense programs are available throughout the United States; only a few are listed below. Visit one of these websites or my website for affiliates near you or referrals to other similar women's self-defense programs.

California - Los Angeles
http://www.impactpersonalsafety.com/

California - San Francisco/Bay Area
http://www.impactbayarea.org/

New York - New York
http://www.prepareinc.com/

Texas - The Woodlands
http://www.pdtgroup.net/

Victim Assistance

These resources assist victims of violence and crime through hotlines, referrals, criminal and civil justice processes, victim's rights, and support groups. Begin the healing process by calling a hotline and/or talking with someone who is professionally trained to assist you.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline
http://www.ndvh.org/
800-799-7233

The National Center for Victims of Crime
http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/Main.aspx

National Organization for Victim Assistance
http://www.trynova.org/

Victim Assistance Online
http://www.vaonline.org/

Witness Justice
http://www.witnessjustice.org/index.cfm

Information and Advocacy

Informational resources aiding those who want to remove themselves from abusive situations, including advocacy groups, are below.

RAINN - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
http://www.rainn.org/

AARDVARC - An Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Center
http://www.aardvarc.org/

American Bar Association - Commission on Domestic Violence
http://www.abanet.org/domviol/home.html

Communities Against Violence Network
http://www.cavnet2.org/

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
http://www.ncadv.org/

National Criminal Justice Reference Service
http://www.ncjrs.gov/

U.S. Department of Justice - Office on Violence Against Women
http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/

Violence Against Women Online Resources
http://www.vaw.umn.edu/

Stalking

8% of women and 2% of men will be stalked in their lifetimes.

The Antistalking Web Site
http://www.antistalking.com/

Stalking Victims Sanctuary
http://www.stalkingvictims.com/home.htm

Conclusion

If you are a victim of violence, get help immediately! Call a victim assistance hotline or visit the above websites. Start the healing process now.

Keep yourself and your female loved ones safe. Empower yourself, wife, mother, sister, niece, friend, and co-worker. Enroll in a women's self-defense training program so that you and they can defend against an attacker if the situation ever arises.

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