Personal safety and self defence

This section offers a selection of helpful resources on personal safety and self defence.

Download this resource list in PDF format. [59kb]

Books

Martial arts for people with disabilities
By Dirk Robertson
Pub. Souvenir Press, London 1991
A practical book with step-by-step instructions. Movements are grouped into sections for those with upper body movement, those with some lower body movement, people with visual impairment and people with learning disabilities.

Living safely in your community A personal safety course for adults who have a learning disability
By Gavin Dickson & Mo Innes
Pub. City of Edinburgh Council, 1996
Specifically designed for adults with learning disabilities living in the community. Includes safety at home, relationships and assertiveness.

The Woodrow Project
A sexual abuse prevention curriculum for the developmentally disabled
Pub. Red Flag Green Flag, USA 1987
This material has been adapted from the "Red Flag Green Flag" programme and is intended for use with adults with learning difficulties. The main objective of the programme is to teach them to say “no” to an uncomfortable touch; to move away from potentially abusive situations; and to tell an
identified helper about the bad touch. This manual gives complete information on how to set up the programme and is accompanied by a video which is also available. .

Stand your ground
By Khaleghl Quinn
Pub. Orbis London 1983
This is an illustrated manual of self defence techniques and a guide for developing confidence. The sections cover attitude, technique and `moving on`. Gives very detailed information on what you could do in various situations. Very useful, either for individuals or, groups. The video `Stand Your Ground` is also available from the Project.

Art of self-defence
by Khaleghl Quinn
Pub. Thorsons, 1993
In this approach emphasis is on self rather than defence. Stresses the importance of being aware, strong, confident and happy (also titles of chapters). The motivating factor of fighting back is seen in self esteem. Khaleghl Quinn sees the roots of violence in former abusive experiences. She puts attacker and victim on one scale and denies social factors. Analysis not to be recommended. In spite of context some of the exercises are interesting and might be used in building self esteem.

Everyday violence
How women and men experience sexual and physical danger
By Elizabeth Stanko
Pub. Pandora, 1990
Based on interviews with women and men in England and the USA argues that violence is part of everyday lives and looks at how we have learned, consciously and unconsciously, ways of managing violence and negotiating danger.

Protect yourself
By Jessica Davies
Pub. Piatkus, 1990
Doesn’t take into account that women are most at risk from known men, so doesn`t adequately cover sexual assaults or domestic violence. Nevertheless it does summarise useful information and positive suggestions for travel, on the street, at work, and advice on talking to children.

Take a firm stand the young woman`s guide to self-defence
By Vicky Grosser Gaby Mason & Rani Parmar
Pub. Virago Upstairs, London, 1992
Aimed at young women. Covers the need for young women to have information on self defence. Outlines basic moves. Includes stories where young women have successfully defended themselves. Useful, and best used in groups, and as a back up to a self defence course

Facing physical violence
By Glynis M. Breakwell
Pub. BPS & Routledge, London, 1989
Looks at the incidence of attacks within and across professional groups. Includes information on guidelines for practice and support for staff.

Bullying at work
How to confront and overcome it
By Andrea Adams
Pub. Virago, London, 1992
A book which explores the bully, and being bullied. It offers organisations and individuals suggestions for fighting back and for managing situations. It lacks a gender analysis of the abuse of power. In general a useful. introductory book easy to read with plenty of personal accounts.

Videos

Stand your ground
2 hours
This video shows Kaleghi Quinn an American women instructing a class of women in self defence techniques. The video not only demonstrates particular methods of self defence but also discusses the difficulties women face being assertive, developing their self esteem etc. The class was held in the south of England and clips of the class are interspersed with individual women talking about their experiences of violence, their fears and what impact classes have had on their lives. The video also includes detailed accounts of how women successfully fought off attackers.

No means no
30 minutes
This thirty minute video made by and for women with learning difficulties stresses the importance of having a women’s group to help with personal problems. Group members explain concepts like being safe and feeling comfortable in your own home in simple language. Short clips show group members taking part in self defence classes and practising being assertive. The importance of safety in everyday
situations is stressed and advice given in short scenes acted out by group members. In addition organisations like family planning, police (women’s unit) and victim support are visited and interviewed by group members about the services they offer. The overall message of this video is - you have a right
to be safe and if you have a problem find someone to talk to about it. This video comes with a pack of five worksheets.

The Woodrow Project
A sexual abuse prevention curriculum for the developmentally disabled.
By Red Flag Green Flag, USA 1987
24 minutes
This programme is designed for use with young adults with learning disabilities. The video is accompanied by a manual with information on setting up the programme which is also available from the Project. Self defence - martial arts for women with disabilities Shows various aspects of the work of Lydia Zijdel, who specialises in self-defence for women with disability.

Self defence for disabled women, a residential weekend course at Inverclyde By Women`s Support Project
Self-Defence and martial arts demonstrations
By Lydia Zijdel
Several recordings of Lydia`s work includes martial arts and self-defence for women with disabilities.
Resources for working with children

The Wee VIP Pack
By Dundee Young Women’s Project & Edinburgh
Rape Crisis Centre
Pub. 1998
An abuse prevention programme for pre-school children and their parents. The programme aims to increase confidence and skills of parents speaking to their children about keeping safe, and to increase the ability of young children to deal with potentially abusive situations. Kidscape Primary Kit
Programme for prevention of sexual assault on children 5—11 years Pub. Kidscape, London 1986
This pack is intended mainly for use in schools and is a comprehensive long-term programme aimed at helping children to recognise dangerous situations. The pack is not aimed exclusively at sexual abuse hut covers bullying as well and is accompanied by a video which explains the programme.

Taking Care
Preventing child sexual abuse
By Clodagh Corcoran
Pub. Poolbeg Press, 1987
This is a book for parents and all adults who care about the wellbeing of children. The author believes `an informed child is a safe child` and gives guidelines and prevention tactics for children of all ages.

Feeling yes, feeling no
70minutes
This Canadian video on awareness work with children was made in 1984 and is in four parts. xcellent.

T is for touching
A sexual abuse prevention programme for children ages 3—6
By Red Flag Green Flag, USA
15 minutes
This three part series is designed for use with preschool children and infant classes. Children learn to recognise good and bad touches, to say no to potentially dangerous situations, and to tell a helper. Various activities and ideas for discussion are included in a manual which accompanies the series.

You and me "keeping safe with Cosmo and Dibs`
27 minutes
The video is divided into seven stories, getting lost, secrets, Harry`s cousin, observations, touching which each give an important safety message. clear and simple language used, made for the under 5`s accompanied by user booklet to aid use. (Please ask about other resources available which are not
listed here)