Introduction

According to British Columbias Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Policing and
Security Branch: the number of violent offences in B.C. increased by 7.1% in 2015, with a 6.1%
increase in the violent crime rate. These statistics emphasize that knowing self defense and
having the skills to be able to stay safe is extremely important. A common misconception
believes that cooperation and nonresistance is the best way to stay safe if ever under attack,
however that is false logic. Active self defense such as striking, fighting back and resisting has
been proven to be more effective than nonresistance and the National Institute of Justice stated
that active self defense reduces the risk of rape/sexual assault by 80%. Due to the crime rates sky
rocketing in the past several years, the importance of personal safety is at an all-time high.

It is important for every one of every age, gender, ethnicity, etc. to know self defense. Self
defense is commonly thought of as being of higher importance for women, however that is
untrue. Statistics provided by the Government of Canada state that men are almost twice as likely
to be victims of level 2 assault as women and young men under the age of 18 are 1.5 times more
likely to be physically assaulted than young girls. Truth be told, women are usually attacked
more frequently and are at higher risk for sexual assault attempts, but everyone should know how
to effectively defend themselves if ever put in a situation that may call for it. Being able to stay
safe is of universal importance, and though women may have to use self defense more often,
everyone should have the skills to be able to effectively get out of a dangerous or potentially
harmful situation.

Learning self defense is quite easy because it requires no previous martial arts skill, and is
widely available due to the rise in number of attacks everywhere. The style proven to be the most
effective is krav maga because it focuses solely on the fastest and best way to eradicate a threat.
Krav maga was developed in Israel for their military and is now taught to federal agents, police
officers, and etc. all around the world. Unlike many other martial arts, there is no use of fancy
jumping or spinning kicks in krav maga, instead it is all about repeated striking and all the
defense sequences are short and easy to remember and recall in high stress situations. Practicing
self defense allows people to develop their mental strength as well as their physical strength. It
confidence in themselves and their own abilities to protect themselves. Self defense can also help
those who have been attacked or assaulted before to feel as if they are taking back their own
power and serve as a form of therapy or a physical outlet. In todays world we cannot be too
careful, and knowing self defense and personal safety should be one of everyones top priorities.