The Environment

A sad reality of our world is that an attack can happen anywhere at
anytime. It can happen in your home, car, place of work, outside,
in the park, parking lots, ANYWHERE. You then must learn to look at
your environment to help you. Are you on a hill? Are there any
parked cars around? Is it rocky? Is there sand or loose dirt?
Outside you can bring parts of the environment to your aid.
Throwing sand or loose dirt into the attacker's eyes can quickly
end an altercation or give you time for escape. Is there anything
you can use as a weapon? Can you run and put a car, bench etc
between you and the assailant? If inside you can use tables,
chairs, beds etc to put some distance between the attacker and you.
The kitchen is full of weapons. Not just knives as most people
think. You have the entire tray of knives, forks and spoons that
can be thrown in his/her face. Doors to be opened, slammed, locked
etc. Always be aware of the objects around you that can help you!
Do anything and everything at your disposal to end the
confrontation!

Places to avoid:

1. Alleys: Once down an alley you are often alone. Avoid these dark
places that contain many hidden doors and corridors. If you must
take an alley, do so quickly and make sure you are not being
followed before entering.
2. Parks: Parks are a great place to relax. But during the night
they often are playground for some of the lowest forms of human
life. Stay clear especially at night.
3. Bars & Pubs: If you are going to a bar, go with someone! Avoid
bars you are not familiar with or are known for having troubles.
4. Parking Garages. Avoid these, especially if alone, day or night.

This is a short list of a few hotspots. Common sense will dictate
more to you.

The Fight or Flight Reflex

Our Self Defense system is designed to demonstrate effective methods of self-defense against corresponding attacks.

The defenses are simple, yet effective, because when a conflict arises and it comes time to remember what one should do in the middle of one, the effects of an adrenaline rush make it difficult when practiced moves have always been complex and void of any kind of mental stress.

Also, when the effects of an adrenaline rush are not taken into account when practicing self-defense, the first chance that a possible defender may have at avoiding a conflict is overlooked.

Adrenaline not only effects how you fight but also how you act, and one's actions and behavior are sometimes what determines whether a fight will ensue.

Passive behavior, which is illustrated by lowered eyes, nervous feet, and an unsure voice, and aggressive behavior, illustrated by an angry voice, wide eyes, and raised fists and often provoking a situation itself, are both attitudes that should not be adopted when faced with some kind of confrontation but may materialize, like mistakes in a too-complex defense tactic, due to the adrenaline rush caused by this dramatic situation.

Assertive behavior, which consists of eye contact, a steady posture, a strong voice, and hands out front is the kind that, more than any other, stops fights before they start.


Yours in the arts,


Master Art Mason
Founder: Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute

What works?

You will find so much information and opinions on the internet about self defense that you could read for days and still not know what is real, whatworks, and was is BS.

The 'buzz word' today is stress training. Re-enacting a situation, to simulate the feeling you would have under attack. Then you should be able to tell what works and what does not. This idea, alrhough it does have merit, falls short in many ways. Having someone yell and scream at you, will not in most conditions simulate a real situation, plus if you respond poorly, your confidence is shot!

If you look on the web you will also find hundreds of video's all saying martial arts training falls short, but there product is GREAT and works! So, how did they test it? Find volunteer assault victims? Give me a break.

The most important thing about self defense training is first to make the student understand the things they can do to be safe, avoid the problems to begin with, then give them simple and effective tools, based on real body movements, to defend with.

Ladies, kicking a guy in the groin will fail 9 times out of 10. But, this is the direction many 'self defense experts' will send you in.

More later.


Master Art Mason
Founder: Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute

What is Self Defense

We at the Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors believe it is crucial in today's society, that there be quality programs in place specifically designed for women, in respect to self-defense.

Q. What is self-defense?

A. It is a practice that allows the woman to protect her physical &
mental well being before, during & after an attack.

This self-defense course will consist of much more than a couple of
throws. It will contain the following:

- Techniques that take minutes to learn, not years,
- Techniques that are meant to be used now,
- Techniques on how to mentally survive an attack,
- Where to go for help,
- Where to turn to pick up the pieces after an assault,
- Most importantly how NOT to look like a victim.

Q. Are you aware of the different types of violence against women?

A. - Domestic abuse
- Rape by an acquaintance
- Rape by a stranger
- Workplace harassment

Some facts on violence against women in Canada

Half of Canadian women (51%) have been victims of at least one act
of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16.

Of all victims of crimes against the person, females made up the
vast majority of victims of sexual assaults (85%), criminal
harassment (78%) & kidnapping or abduction (62%).

Of all female victims of violent crimes, (51%) were victims of
common assault, (11%) of sexual assault, (10%) of robbery, (9%) of
assault with a weapon causing bodily harm & (6%) of criminal
harassment.

Women are most likely to be victimized by someone they know than by a stranger. 78% of all female victims were victimized by someone they know, (35% by a close friend or a business acquaintance, 32% by a current or past partner, 11% by other family members) while 22% were victimized by a stranger.

In 2000, 27,154 sexual offences were reported in Canada, including
24,049 sexual assaults & 3,105 other types of sexual offences.
(Not all attacks are reported to the police).

From April 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000, there were 96,359 admissions
(57,182 women & 30,177 children) to 448 shelters for abused women
across Canada.



Where to go for Support Services

- S.O.S. Femmes, 1-800-387-8603
- Hiatus House, 250 Louis, 252-7781
- Windsor Police Headquarter, 255-6700
- Distress Centre Windsor Essex County, 256-5000
- Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, 253-9667
- Social Services Agency, 973-4636


Yours in the Arts,


Master Art Mason
Founder: The Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute
519-962-9820

Information on Date Rape Drugs

Date Rape Drugs

A major reality in sex crimes against women is the use of what is called “date rape drug”. These drugs are used to sedate & sometimes totally knock out the victim, so that the aggressor can violate her.

Rohypnol:

Rohypnol is a strong sedative, which is similar to the drug Valium, but is ten times stronger. The pill is similar in shape, size & color to an aspirin. Rohypnol is a small white tablet that is single or cross scored on the one side & has the word ‘roche’ on the other side. It also has a circled numeral 1 or 2 on it. Drugs street names change all the time, but it is often known as rookies, rophies, roche, rope, r2 & trip & fall.

Rohypnol dissolves easily is juice, coffee, carbonated & alcohol beverages. It is colorless, odorless & tasteless when dissolved in any liquid.

The effects of this drug are enhanced when mixed with alcohol causing sedation, loss of inhibitions, relaxation, black outs & amnesia. It can also cause respiratory problems, depression, coma & even death.

The drug takes effect after about 20 or 30 minutes & effects may last as long as 8-12 hours.

Signs & symptoms of use;

Rohypnol can cause quick intoxication, bloodshot eyes, drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, impaired judgment, memory loss, hot & cold flashes, nausea & difficulty speaking & moving.
If it happens to you

• Tell someone you trust.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.
• Try to collect a urine sample in a clean container during the first 24 hours after the assault.
• Do not destroy any of the evidence by showering or washing.
• Report the incidence to the police, your local rape crisis centre or the hospital emergency department.
• Talk to a councilor for support. Your emotional & physical health is important.
• Believe in yourself. No one invites causes or deserves to be sexually assaulted. What happens to you is a crime & you are not to blame.

Don’t be a victim

• Do not accept open drinks at parties, especially from strangers. This also includes any soft drink or juice. If you are drinking from a bottle or a can, be sure to open it yourself.
• Never leave your drink unattended. If you ask someone to watch it, make sure it is someone you can trust.
• Never go out to a bar, party or social event by yourself.
• Go with a friend.
• Don’t drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance
• Never mix drugs & alcohol.

GHB;

This is a powerful synthetic drug that acts as a depressant on the central nervous system. It is a newer drug to the streets, GHB is an illegal manufactured drug, so it is very dangerous, seeing that “kitchen chemists” make it & there is no quality control like with a FDA approved drug. Its effects can be felt within 15 minutes after ingestion. It is used in the same manner as Rohypnol.

GHB is usually found in a liquid form that is colorless & odorless. Sometimes there is a salty aftertaste, depending on how it was produced. Since the actual amount of GHB is unknown, the risk of toxic effect is great.

Signs & symptoms

• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting
• unconsciousness
• memory loss
• difficulty breathing
• seizures
• coma

Street names for this drug are, G, grievous bodily harm, gook, easy lay, vita-g, g juice.

Ecstasy

What is ecstasy?

Ecstasy is a synthetic amphetamine type (speed like) mind-altering drug that can cause you to hallucinate. It has been known to cause death especially when mixed with speed by drug dealers, often without the user knowing. Ecstasy does not come in capsules. It comes in the form of a pill & is sometimes yellow or pink in colour.

Signs & symptoms

• anxiety
• blurred vision
• confusion
• chills or sweating
• heart rate that is very fast & an increase in blood pressure
• rapid eye movements
• tremors
• inability to sleep

Avoid this & all drugs!

The Basics of Self Defense

The following are important points for surviving on the streets today. These apply to men, women and children of all ages. Most are common sense, others are not as obvious.

1. When in trouble, never yell HELP! Instead yell FIRE!!!! Sadly in our day and age, nobody wants to get involved. If you yell help, chances are no one will come. If you yell FIRE, you will get a response. Curiosity makes people want to go and see a FIRE.

2. Walk with your head up! Look at what is around you. Look at people without ‘staring’ at them. Take in information about the people and things in your surroundings (escape routs, other people etc.) When you look down at the ground, you look like a VICTIM. The kind a true PREDATOR wants.

3. Try not to go out alone, especially at night. There is safety in numbers.

4. Don’t always go to the same places at the same times. Variety is the spice of life, and the basis of safety. Don’t show the world a pattern to make you predictable. (Break and Enters happen this way most often).

5. Stay in well-lit areas, avoiding alleys, hallways and dark corridors.

6. If walking down the sidewalk of a street, don’t walk close to the buildings. Stay far enough out that you can see someone peaking around a corner!

7. Always plan ahead. Know your route before you go out.

8. When walking to your car have your keys in your hands, ready to open the door and get in. Walk to the car in such a way as to see what is around it, or underneath it.

9. Once in the car DO NOT linger. Start the car and drive away. Take notice of other people and cars in your area. Is someone following you? Also LOCK YOUR DOORS. Do this immediately upon entering your car.

10. If you are being followed don’t go home. Head for a police station or some public places were you would be safe till proper action can be taken.

11. If you arrive at home and feel that someone has been or is in your house or apartment, do not enter. Call the police at once. Better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want to surprise an intruder.

12. At an ATM be very cautious. Try to use one that is indoors, preferably well-lit and high traffic like a grocery store. Whether using a high traffic ATM or one alone on the street in a quiet area, always scan the area before getting out of your car for shady looking individuals, hanging around. If one or more is present, move on!