More than 2.5 million women experience violence annually acoording to the U.S. Department of Justice.  To avoid becoming a victim of violence, your first and foremost level of self defense is prevention.

AT HOME

Women over 35 are most vulnerable to an assault in their own home.  Prevent entrance to your home by making it difficult for a criminal to just walk in.  The more difficult you make it for the criminal, the less likely it is that he will gain entrance.

• Use sturdy, solid wood doors with deadbolt locls
• Doors and windows should be locked at all times
• Install an extra wide angle peephole in doors
• Make sure areas by door and windows are well lighted
• Be assertive with strangers in your home.  Always ask for proper identification before opening your door to anyone
• Install an alarm.  They act as detterents and warn you of intrusion
• Add coverings over your windows for privacy
• Put interior lights on a timer
• Use only your last name on your mailbox, front door buzzer, etc.
• Have an unlisted phone number

ON THE STREET

• Keep your hands free
• Wear clothes that do not restrict movement
• Carry a mobile phone with 911 on speed dial
• Carry enough money for a taxi or bus fare
• Go around groups of men instead of through them
• Cross the street if you are being followed
• If you continue to be followed, go towards people and yell “Fire”
• Do not be afraid to make a scene in order to attract attention
• If someone asks for the time or directions, you have the right to not reply
• Use well lighted streets, staying near the curb unless a car pulls up
• Avoid being on the street alone at night, especially if you are upset or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Try to take walks and runs with friends or neighbors

DRIVING A CAR

• Keep your car in good running order and avoid driving with a near empty gas tank
• Keep doors locked and windows rolled up
• If your car breaks down, turn on emergency flashers, place “Call Police” sign in window or call the police from your mobile phone.  If someone stops to help, stay in the car and write a note asking him or her to call the police
• If you are being followed, drive to the closest police station, fire station, hospital emergency entrance, or open gas station.  Never allow someone to follow you home
• Never pick up hitch hikers
• Park in well lighted areas and always lock your car when you leave it
• Avoid parking next to vans as you can be pulled in through the sliding door
• Check around, under, and inside your car as you approach it
• Be especially alert in parking structures
• Carry your keys in hand, ready to use
• Make sure a friend safely inside her home, or that her car has started before driving away and ask your friends to do the same for you

ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

• When waiting for public transportation, assume a balanced position behind the bench, so you cannot be pulled into a passing car
• Sit near the driver and stay awake
• If someone harasses you, tell the driver immediately
• If you feel someone is following you when you get off, walk towards a populated area.  Avoid walking directly home

AT WORK

• If you are uncomfortable about getting on an elevator with a lone man or a group of men, wait for the next one.  If you are made uncomfortable once on the elevator, get off at the next floor, or press the emergency/fire button
• Check the identification of service, delivery, or repair people if you have any doubts about them
• Know the routes of escape in your work area
• If you work late, find out whom else is in the building.  When you leave, ask someone (perhaps a security guard) to accompany you to your car

Keep in mind, an attack can occur any place, any time. 

VICTIMS’ REPORT OF TIME OF RAPES AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS:  6pm - midnight…43.4%, 6am - 6pm…33.0%, Midnight - 6am…23.6% (Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice)

VICTIMS’ REPORTS OF WHERE RAPES AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS TOOK PLACE:  At victim’s home…37.4%, At friend’s neighbor’s or relative’s home…19.2%, On the street away from home…10.0%, Parking lot/garage…7.3%, All other locations…26.1% (Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice)

Know your area and be aware of your surroundings.  Keep alert to spot potential danger.  Always listen to your intuition.  If you sense that something is wrong, leave the area immediately. 

Respectfully Yours,

Master Shin

Dont Be A Victim

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, Americans have a greater chance of being a violent crime victim than of being injured in a motor vehicle accident.  Learning self defense is not just about learning to kick and punch an attacker.  Self defense begins with not thinking of yourself as a victim.  Attackers choose their victims the way predators choose their prey.  They always go after the sick, isolated, young or old because they are an easy kill.  If you look strong, alert and healthy, you have a much better chance of being left alone. 

Body Language

Body language communicates how comfortable you feel about yourself.  In self defense, effective body language conveys a relaxed sense of confidence.  The first phase of an attack is often called the “targeting” stage; the attacker is searching for a victim.  During this phase, confident and relaxed body language is critical.  There are ways to discourage an attack, just by walking more safely.  Keep your head up, look ahead, and drop your shoulders (do not hunch them).  Walk with a relaxed step (not too long or short) and keep your hands out of your pockets.  Compare these two images in your mind:  the women looking down at the ground and the one just described.  Who is an easier target?  Who appears vulnerable?  These changes are small, but they make an enormous difference. 

Verbal Self Defense

The second stage, or testing phase, of an attack usually involves some kind of verbal communication.  There are two different kinds of verbal self defense in response to a threat from an attacker.  The first, and most common, is assertive self defense.  Assertive self defense is used when the attacker is unarmed or does not have physical control of you to the extent that fighting back would cause you greater injury.  It is simply an extension of your body language:  you are verbally communicating that you refuse to be seen as a victim.  The second, cooperative verbal self defense is used when the attacker has a weapon or is holding you in a way that makes it useless to fight back at the moment.  Hopefully, it will make the attacker relax so that he will feel in control.  Or you may want to use it to trick the attacker.  When he lets up, you may have the opportunity to escape or physically fight back.  Confident body language and verbal self defense can be used in every situation.  Stop thinking of yourself as a victim and you are less likely to be targeted as one.

There are other skills you can develop to avoid being a victim:

KNOW YOUR AREA:  Know as much as possible ahead of time about the area you will be visiting.  If you are forewarned about dangerous areas, you will be less likely to traverse them.  It is much safer to go around a potential hot spot than to walk into a hornet’s nest. 

BE AWARE:  Keep alert to spot danger.  Pay attention to your surroundings.

DEVELOP YOUR INTUITION:  Listening to your sixth sense can be one of your most important self defense skills.  If you sense that something is wrong, it is.  That gut feeling you get when something is not exactly right is telling you something and you should learn to listen to that alarm, however vague it may be.

FIGHTING SPIRIT:  Knowing you have the desire, ability, confidence and strength to fight back might be all you need to discourage a potential attacker.  Develop an attitude that allows you to not be intimidated.

Respectfully Yours,

Master Shin 

About 10 years ago, I walked through the doors of Shin’s with my 4 year old son.  I had no idea 10 years later we’d still be walking through those doors (although in a better location now).  Shin’s has almost become our second home.

There are so many reasons why we have stayed with Shin’s.  Of course Tae Kwon Do is a beautiful and powerful discipline, but there are many reasons why we picked Shin’s in particular.

First of all, it’s the staff.  Master Shin teaches the students to be their best and he expects nothing less of his staff.  The staff has been consistently firm yet caring in their approach. Not just anyone can teach Tae Kwon Do, but Shin’s staff can.  When I watch a class I feel they really work hard to make sure the students have improved their skills before they leave.  They are not afraid to stop the class and work on minor details.

Secondly, it’s the flexibility.  When we signed up, we were able to pick the program that worked best for our family.  With 3 very active children, our schedule can get very busy.  With Shin’s flexibility, we can still attend Shin’s while my children participate in other sports as well.  I should also add that Tae Kwon Do can help condition your children to do even better with any other sports they may be doing.

In fact, each of my children has gotten something different out of Shin’s.  My oldest has actually used what was taught in Safeguard, to fend off a bully.  My second child attends because he simply likes the idea of reaching black belt.  My youngest likes that Shin’s helps her to perform better in her other sports.  There are so many different reasons to take Martial Arts.

Thirdly, Master Shin and his staff care.  It amazes me that they know everyone’s name and what is going on in there lives.  They aren’t just interested in teaching Tae Kwon Do, but they are also interested in their students.

We absolutely love Shin’s.  We wouldn’t still be attending 10 years later if we didn’t.  We are lucky to have a school like this in Santa Clarita. 

Sincerely,

The Nobles

I am a proud parent of three wonderful boys who have had the privilege of being a part of Shin’s Family for many years.  Shin’s was the perfect stepping stone for all of my boys prior to beginning elementary school.  They developed important skills such as self control, following directions and taking turns.  As my boys have grown, the benefits of being students of a martial arts program have become even more apparent.  All of the positive life skills and virtues encouraged at Shin’s have assisted in making each of my boys educational journeys that much easier.  Shin’s classes are highly physical and really work on overall health.  Due to the techniques learned in class, my boys are quite agile and have great body awareness.  These skills have helped them in other “team” sports.  They have learned self defense skills which have proven to be invaluable toward their safety and confidence.  I have also participated in and benefited from the women’s self defense classes offered at Shin’s.  All of Shin’s instructors are kind, highly energetic, and use positive motivation to encourage all students to work to the best of his or her ability.  I would highly recommend Shin’s Martial Arts program to any parent trying to raise a healthy, confident, respectful & self motivated child.      

Shannon Ross