By Lyman Yip

Summary: Below are 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.

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

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.

About the author
Lyman Yip writes about self defense and related topics at http://www.selfdefenseresource.com
Secrets of self-defense revealed by SelfDefenseResource.com! Claim the FREE REPORT "10 Secrets to Effective ." Click here http://www.selfdefenseresource.com

Source: ArticleWareHouse.com