Self defence against any manifestation of violence
Every 1 in 3 women experience a form of sexual violence throughout their lifetime. The sequence of a victim’s actions are determined by their fear and severity of the abuser’s violence. Women who fight back do so in fear of a violent situation becoming worse. Violence and resistance are some of the only forms of self-preservation mechanisms available for women to use in times of sexual abuse. It is used as a self-defence mechanism in a society where men have both spoken and unspoken laws that justify their horrendous actions. Regardless of being victims of sexual assault and abuse, women all around the world still face the harsh reality of being looked down upon by society. Women should resist sexually violent altercations with force in the act of self-defence.
Firstly, women who fight back in response to abuse are more likely to avoid the violence from worsening and they triple their chance of escape. Resisting sexually violent situations prevents further physical injury and the development of psychological problems. Forceful resistance increases the chances of avoiding rape. Those who verbally resist are less likely to experience severe sexual abuse. Retaliation is the only way to secure a women’s future and safety. Should they sit back without resistance, they involuntarily give their abuser the pleasure of destroying their sanity and future. Women should resist sexual violence with physical and verbal force to prevent sexually threatening situations from worsening.
Secondly, resistance with force is the only way of protecting oneself against both the perpetrator and justice system. In most cases, the law abides by the male counterpart. They walk away freely without facing the brunt of the consequences of their actions, due to their male privelidge. Other times, said consequences are wrongfully forced upon the victim. Sometimes forceful resistance is the only way of gaining the abuser’s respect. When fighting back, women broadcast that they are not objects awaiting male scrutiny. There is little to no confidence in law enforcement, as more often than not, the egotistically entitled man is favoured by the law. This forces women to take matters into their own hands, leading to the necessity for fighting fire with fire as it is the only available source of protection.
On the contrary, resistance can also be dangerous as it may increase the ferocity of the offender. In cases in which women have failed to escape, they are then exposed to an escalation of violence and harassment. Such circumstances may result in some deciding that surviving is more important than resisting. Should the assault occur in secluded areas, the more difficulty one would have in trying to escape as the perpetrator is no longer concerned about witnesses. This increases the danger that a victim faces. The culprit often plans the violence beforehand with regards to the type of woman they wish to violate, the place and manner in which the abuse will occur. Sometimes, the only way of staying alive, is to resist retaliation.
Ultimately, women should employ forceful resistance when in an encounter with a sexual abuser. This increases the chances of escaping and will lessen the likelihood of said violence from worsening. Society does not support women when they are victims of abuse. This forces women to unlock an unconscious self-defence response in the form of force. Women should be taught prevention skills for sexual violence from a young age. This promotes social and emotional learning and empowerment-based training. Women should be physically and emotionally equipped to protect themselves in a society where sexual violence victims stand alone.
