Regina's Journal

The above analyses indicates, women who participate in self-defense training are less likely to experience sexual assault and are more confident in their ability to effectively resist assault than similar women who have not taken such a class. This study was conducted by sociologist, Jocelyn Hollander, at the University of Oregon a year after the students […]

I have often encouraged my students to trust their instincts. And while there is a vein of truth this, Mary Ellen O’Toole, author of Dangerous Instincts, guides us through a few tactics to help us avoid unsafe situations. The truth of the matter is, we can’t always tell if people are dangerous just by looking […]

Do you find yourself going through your days knowing you have a greater purpose? Not that there is anything wrong or dishonorable about your current life, but just a deep knowing, you are here for an even greater purpose? There is more, a deep passionate purpose? Maybe you are like me and you already know […]

Warning Signs: He frequently gives her “advice” about her choice of friends, hairstyle, clothes, or makeup. He calls her demeaning names, then laughs and tells her he was only kidding or that she’s too sensitive. She makes excuses for his poor behavior or says it’s her fault. He calls and texts her many times an […]

As I was in my car waiting at a traffic light today, I noticed a young lady running with earbuds. She had paused at the intersection, waiting for traffic to clear. It occurred to me how easily someone could come up behind her with a sucker punch or other ill harm. Being aware of your […]

A concerned mom reached out to me after hearing about the following incident. She is wondering what to do? How to get her child and self into the car safely. “I was in a parking lot of a very nice shopping center. The armed robber approached me after I buckled my child into his car […]

It always makes me sad to see joggers with ear buds. Although I totally get it, running to music is enjoyable and motivating, plugging ears with ear buds reduces the ability to hear approaching danger. Anytime we reduce/minimze our senses, we increase the opportunity to be caught off guard. Should you find yourself being followed, […]

If you hear or see something, report it! Whether it’s a family member,  friend, neighbor or co-worker; even if it is someone you do not know, you have a responsibility to report abuse. If you aren’t sure what you heard or saw, contact National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224 for guidance. If […]

www.NoMore.org Your voice can end the silence. “The flower that blooms in diversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” ~The movie ‘Mulan’ I am a survivor of childhood domestic violence. Of course, we never spoke about it at home. I didn’t say much about it to anyone outside of home.  Extended family members knew, but said […]

Stalking is defined as “a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.”  ~ According to the U.S. Department of Justice An estimated 3.4 million women and men become stalking victims each year. Their privacy […]

  Every year, more than 3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes. Children who live in homes where there is domestic violence also suffer abuse or neglect at high rates (30% to 60%). A 2005 Michigan study found that children exposed to domestic violence at home are more likely to have health problems, […]

What is more dangerous for women than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined? Domestic Violence!  Does this surprise you? Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States, more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. (“Violence Against Women, A Majority Staff Report,” […]

For months my Women’s Warrior Workout DVD was MIA (missing in action). I kept thinking one of my sons had gathered it up after being over, playing games. They both looked and didn’t find it in their stashes… Sadly, I resigned myself to never being able to find it. Of course, it was something from years […]

As I was reading through Rory Miller’s Facing Violence I found many important concepts I would like to share. His book addresses social violence and predator violence. Our focus will be on predator violence since we, as women, are more likely to be targeted by a predator. Absence is the number one way to avoid a predator. It makes since, […]

I was browsing through my new book Facing Violence by Rory Miller. He clarifies the difference in predators. I hope the following information helps you better understand those differences and how serious they are. Resource Predator: The resource predator will use violence to take your money, valuables, car, etc. Typically he only threatens violence, but will use it if deemed […]

Abuse Occurs —> Reconciliation/Makeup —> Calm —> Tension Building Abuse can be any and/or all of the following: Physical, Sexual, Emotional, Psychological During the reconciliation phase the abuser may apologize, promise it won’t happen again; blames the victim claiming you provoked the abuse; gives gifts of repentance. After the explosion and reconciliation, it is common for […]

It can be easy to stand on the sidelines and critique why a woman stays with her abuser. What many don’t understand is the variety of complex reasons she does. Like everything else in life, you have to walk in those shoes. There are economic pressures as abusers often control the finances. Being pregnant, she […]

Pregnancy is the wondrous time in a woman’s life when she is privileged to nurture new life. She glows with excitement as the weeks pass. The anticipation of meeting her little angel face fills her with joy. Each new kick brings joy and trepidation. There are books to read, support groups to join and a […]

Never answer the door to strangers. Keeping the door locked, ask the person to identify him/herself. If you have no scheduled appointment with this person, do not open the door. I can’t emphasize this enough! Just this week my doorbell rang at 7:30pm. It was already dark. I wasn’t expecting anyone. Perhaps it really was an innocent […]

Life’s journey is full of crossroads, minor dips and major valleys along with hill tops and mountain peaks. While participating in my Level 4 Smart Safe certification bootcamp my emotions went through a roller coaster ride of dips, turns, twists and that slow climb to the top as I revisited the reason I do what I do. My heart […]

Are you running from one holiday event to another? Do you need to squeeze in just one more quick stop at the store? Maybe you are going about your everyday routine. Whatever the day may bring, implement these simple safety tips. Awareness and prevention are key to your safety! Analyze possible attack locations from a technical perspective. Think like a “bad guy”. Do not […]

What an awe inspiring experience WIN! Real Life SKills for Kids has been. I always consider it a privilege to learn from Moni Aizik and his Elite Instructors. As Andrew was covering the instructional material I couldn’t help but think, WOW! Moni did it again. When a child is dealing with a bully it is […]

We waste valuable time if we allow our emotions to be in control during an attack. By putting our emotions on “hold” and dealing with the attack at hand in a factual manner, we will turn the element of surprise against the attacker and be the survivor. Emotions can be experienced “post-trauma” when we have […]

Following is a woman’s statement after being grabbed from behind, beaten, sexually assaulted and strangulation attempts. “My view of the world changed. I felt that I had no control; and at times, it seemed that the only way to regain control over my life was to end it.” Thankfully, this woman found the courage to participate […]

If ever in a threatening situation always ask yourself, “What Do I Have?” This leads to: What do I have on my own body: hands, teeth, legs, head, etc. What do I have access to in terms of targets on his body: weak spots: his eyes, throat, groin, etc. What do I have as a […]

I love this quote by Susan B Anthony, “I declare to you that a woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.”. In women’s self defense, we use knowledge to our advantage and capitalize on his weaknesses. His size or muscle […]

89% of women who were raped or experienced an attempted rape knew their attacker. 64% of all sexual assaults occurred in the target’s or attacker’s home. Since most people interact with their acquaintances in common facilities; where they live, work, socialize, study, shop, etc., it is no surprise these attacks occur in those locations. While […]

Typically a potential attacker will put his target through a testing period. He will be assessing the circumstances and his chance of completing his plans. This will include conversation and/or an attempt to dominate the target. It is during this period that women should key in on their intuition and the attackers behavior. The situation […]

Realize attackers are typically acquaintances. When we meet or actually know someone, we have an impression of them. It will range from nice person, someone I can learn from, watch out, creep, and a sense of discomfort. Trust your instincts! A negative impression is a warning from your intuition. Trust it! That person may attempt to disrespect […]

1. Victim’s thrown into car trunks should kick out the tail lights, stick an arm out and start waving like crazy, hopefully waving a red or white cloth. This can save lives. 2. When in a parking lot/garage, be aware. Look around you, under your car, inside your car at the passenger side and back […]