Personal Protection and Self Defense, Part One by Gregory Lawton

Personal Protection and Self Defense

Civil Protection Training Program, Part One Velocity Martial Arts

Dr. Gregory T. Lawton 9th Degree Black Belt, Kosho Ryu Kenpo

Civil Protection Training Program, Part One Personal Protection and Self-Defense Velocity Martial Arts

Dr. Gregory T. Lawton

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from Gregory T. Lawton.

Muyblue Productions 2040 Raybrook SE, Suite 104 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 616-464-0892

Writing, Photography and Design – Dr. Gregory T. Lawton 2

Dedication This training manual and program is dedicated to my mother Betty Lou Lawton.

Foreword As a child growing up I was known as the neighborhood defender. I would fight for and defend the small or “weaker” kids against larger kids and bullies. That characteristic has continued in my life as a fierce sense of personal fairness and social justice. Once I began to study and to train in the martial arts I started to teach others how to defend themselves. That is the purpose of this training manual and program, to teach average people how to avoid conflict, or should conflict confront them how to neutralize a threat non-violently, or if violence or an assault should occur how to protect themselves and hopefully to stop the violence and to remain safe and unhurt. This training manual is organized into two sections. In Section One, An Introduction to Self-Defense, the student will learn about the fundamental concepts of self-defense including self-defense and the law. In Section Two, Practical Self-Defense Skills, the student will learn basic and effective physical fighting and self-defense techniques. The most important rule in this training program is this, “No student has to participate in any training session or technique with which they are uncomfortable.” As a writer I adhere to a principle called, “Fewness of words”. This principle means that I attempt to present to the reader the essential and most important concepts of an idea, topic, or subject in as few words as is possible to get the meaning or concept across to the reader. Rather than present numerous abstract facts and principles to the student I am presenting real life encounters, experiences, and stories and inviting, through a series of module tasks, to discuss the principles and concepts involved. This training manual is provided to students in a 3-ring binder format and additional lessons and course materials are added to this program as the students progress through the training manual and their training classes.

Disclaimer This self-defense training manual and the training that is part of this program is intended to be used by good, decent, well-intentioned people who want to use this knowledge to preserve peace and security in their lives. As an author and a teacher of the martial arts and self-defense classes I do not promote or condone violence and I do support the avoidance of violence and harm to another human being. I assume no liability for the misuse of the techniques, methods and knowledge that is provided in this training manual. The first rule of selfdefense is the avoidance of trouble and conflict. The information presented in this training program is not intended to be misused for the purpose of causing harm. In the material concerning, “Self-Defense and the Law” I am not an attorney and this information should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice seek out and consult with an attorney. The section in the training manual and program that pertains to physical self-defense skills is intended to be used only as a last resort and only to the degree that is necessary to preserve your safety or life. The training techniques in this manual pertaining to weapons are intended to teach you what to expect if you are attacked by a person who is attempting to use a weapon against you and is not intended to promote your use of weapons in an illegal manner. None of the comments in this book are intended to denigrate any martial art style or system, frankly I have studied many of martial arts myself, I believe, however, that the material in this training manual and training program will prove to be the most effective for your self-defense.

Dr. Gregory T. Lawton, Your Training Instructor This self-defense program is taught by Dr. Gregory Lawton, 9th Degree Black Belt in Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jujitsu. Dr. Lawton is a state licensed Chiropractor and Naprapath, is national board and state certified in acupuncture, and is certified in Naturopathy in Kentucky and Idaho. He has trained in the martial arts for over 50 years. Dr. Lawton studied Chinese martial arts with the renowned Chinese teacher Professor Huo Chi-Kwang and he was a Kenpo student of Master Thomas Connor who studied with the founder of American Kenpo Karate, Ed Parker. Dr. Lawton has taught the martial arts since the early 1970’s and his students have included special needs populations including disadvantaged youth and victims of domestic abuse and assault, Native American youth in a group home facility, as well as, law enforcement and fire department personnel. Dr. Gregory T. Lawton served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1968 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant E-5. Dr. Lawton has been a member of the Bahá'í Faith since 1970.

It is better to heal, than to harm. Welcome and thank you for your interest and enrollment in our selfdefense classes. Self-defense skills are very important for individuals, families, and communities. Every individual has the right to defend themselves, mentally and physically, from abuse and assault. Abuse and assault may include mental and emotional, as well as, physical aspects. These physical aspects include assault and battery and sexual assault. Family members have the responsibility to watch out for and to protect each other. Parents, of course, have the duty to protect their children from harm. Older children in a family have the responsibility to protect the younger children in their family. Communities have the responsibility and the duty to provide security and protection for its citizens. Individual citizens have the duty to assist their neighbors.

In this training program we will present the fundamental components of self-defense. You may be surprised to learn that 90 percent of selfdefense is simply awareness and avoidance. The other 10 percent is composed of 5 percent communication skills and 5 percent physical protection skills. No one wants to be involved in conflict or violence, no one wants to be injured or killed, or to have a loved one or a friend injured or killed. We all want to live and to enjoy life in peace. However, as is evident from the daily news coverage, bad things happen. This training program is about how to minimize those bad incidents in your life but it is also about what to do if you are confronted with conflict or violence. This is not a book about fighting, it is a book about finding ways to avoid or to peacefully resolve conflict. This program is not intended to glorify or to promote violence, on the contrary, this program is about not causing harm to another human being. It is my hope that you will find this training program a valuable experience in your life.

Section One An Introduction to Self-Defense

Introduction Over 30 years ago I was introduced to the woman that would give me the motivation and mission to build a school that would provide not only training in the martial arts and self-defense to men and women, but also professional career training in conventional allied health care and the alternative healing arts. At the time that I met this woman I was the vice president of a large medical psychology firm located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My job titles included vice president and director of the out-patient hospital division and my job responsibilities entailed a great amount of national travel. This is why when I was approached by one of the Ph.D. psychologists on staff at the firm and was asked by him to consult with one of his patients and her husband I was resistant to do so.

For several weeks, every time that I returned to the firm from one out of state hospital or another, he would approach me with a request to see his patient. After repeated urgent requests I gave in and agreed to meet with his patient and her husband. All that I was told as to why I was meeting with this couple was that they had suffered some kind of family trauma and had an interest in self-defense training. During this period in my career I was not conducting group martial art classes but I was training select students, usually law enforcement officers, in tactical hand to hand combat skills. My usual students were police officers who had been in highly stressful situations where they had found themselves rolling around on the ground and fighting for their lives. They had discovered that the training that they had received in law enforcement training programs had not prepared them for life and death fights on the city streets. When the day came for me to meet with my colleagues patients I met with the woman and her husband in one of the counseling rooms at the firm. This couple was well dressed and the woman was quietly polite, petite, and obviously nervous. After a few cordial introductions and some small talk I asked the woman how I could be of assistance to her. I have never forgotten her answer because her response to me was, “I need you to teach me how to kill.” Once I recovered from my initial surprise I asked the woman why she wanted to learn how to kill and she shared her heartbreaking and tragic story with me. Please keep in mind as your read this story that there are 3 kinds of students that an ethical and competent teacher will never accept as students, and certainly someone who announces that they want to learn how to kill falls into one of those categories. The three categories of students that a good teacher will not accepted include the sexually perverse, the violent, and students who lack the ability to learn and to remember the information that is taught to them. The woman began to explain her story to me in halting and painful words, punctuated by tears. The woman, her husband, and her then 11 year old daughter had been in their home in East Grand Rapids, Michigan when two men broke into their home and assaulted her husband, and raped her at knife point while using her 11 year old daughter as a threat to make

her comply. Over a period of several hours she was repeatedly raped by both men in front of her husband and her daughter. Prior to meeting this woman I had always used my training to help people in need of training and to help to empower those who had been physically and mentally harmed by violent assaults. This woman’s story and plight so moved me that I began what was later to become an over 35 year mission to assist anyone that needed training and education. Obviously, I accepted her as a student and I began to train her in the martial arts and self-defense. From the story and experience of this one student was begun the Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts and Sciences. Today, 12,000 students and counting, this mission continues. Module Task: Within your group discuss this story and how it may have affected you.

Why Learn Self-Defense? Why learn self-defense? This is a question that I am often asked by individuals who have lived lives devoid of abuse, assault, or violence. Rarely am I asked this question by a victim of childhood abuse, physical assault, sexual assault or a violent crime. Some students will resist training in avoidance, awareness, or situational awareness claiming that if they have to practice these habits or alter their daily lives in any way that that in and of itself is a form of “assault”. I learned long ago that you cannot change a person’s opinion, you can only attempt to change their point of view or perspective, and so I do not try to change opinions. I might suggest, however, that if you could see the world from the point of view of someone who is survivor of childhood abuse, incest, rape, and violent assault you might at least admit that some of the skill sets that are taught in a self-defense program have merit. If you do not personally want to learn self-defense skills, which are mostly mental, then please do 13

not discourage or hinder the sincere efforts of someone that does want to learn these skills and abilities. Most good drivers drive defensively, and I hope that you are a good driver because I might be next to you on the highway. Defensive drivers are situationally aware. They know where their vehicle is on the road and watch the traffic in front and beyond the cars that they are following, they watch the traffic in their rear view mirror approaching them from behind, especially at stop signs and at red lights, they monitor traffic in their side mirrors, and they watch their blind spots on both sides of their vehicle. Good drivers develop a 6th sense and know in advance when another driver might quickly change lanes or veer into their lane. These basic driving skills are used by good drivers over and over again, minute to minute, while driving. These skills are called avoidance (of an accident) overall awareness, and situational awareness and they are performed by most drivers almost automatically. This driving comparison is an analogy for learning the key elements of self-defense which are avoidance, overall awareness, and situational awareness. You learned these skills to get a driver’s license and to be able to drive to work, now won’t you learn to adapt these same skills to protect yourself and your loved ones? Bad things can happen to good people, but they don’t have to. Module Task: In your group discuss your personal reasons for wanting to learn selfdefense.

What is Self-Defense? Let’s review nine basic concepts related to typical questions and answers regarding self-defense: One – Self-defense is the act of defending one's person when physically or mentally attacked, and by using a set of skills that may include avoidance, awareness, verbal confrontation skills, safety strategies, and physical techniques such as countering blows or overcoming an assailant. Two – No one invites an assault or deserves to be mugged, robbed, or beaten. Men and women may sometimes exercise poor judgment regarding decisions that they make regarding their personal safety and their personal behavior. The choices that they make and the behaviors that they engage in does not make them responsible for being attacked or assaulted. It is the attacker that is responsible for the choice that they have made to harm a human being.

Three – A self-defense program cannot make you immune to being victimized but it may help you to avoid and/or effectively deal with threatening situations or an actual attack. Every situation is unique and there are no guarantees that a self-defense strategy or technique will work. Four - Does Self-Defense Work? Self-defense training can increase your options and help you prepare responses to slow down, de-escalate, or interrupt an attack. Like any tool, the more you know about it, the more informed you are to make a decision, and to use it. Five – There is no standardized self-defense class or program, there are instead many different approaches to self-defense. Some students choose programs that involve psychological skills and “hand to hand” fighting techniques, others learn the use of weapons or self-defense aids such as knives, sticks, pepper spray and/or mace, and still others chose to purchase a hand gun and take tactical and concealed weapons training classes. Avoid expensive courses and teachers that guarantee unrealistic results. Avoid teachers whose only suggested solution to a threat is physical violence. Six – You do not have to train for years in the martial arts in order to be able to defend yourself. Some traditional martial art programs are not effective in terms of providing self-defense skills. Self-defense and the skills sets required for self-defense, while similar to some martial arts techniques, are different from classical martial art techniques and have a different objective. A major component of self-defense is avoidance and awareness and to avoid not having to fight. Seven – Even among self-defense and martial art experts there is an argument whether, in certain circumstances, a person should resist an assailant or not. For example, should you yield to a physical assault or a rape? There is no easy answer for this and there are examples of successful resistance and examples where resistance failed. Perhaps the answer to this issue lies in the unique circumstances and characteristics of each situation. There have been studies that demonstrate that using self-defense skills, including fighting off an attacker, does not increase the level of personal

injury to a victim, and in fact decreases the likelihood of being injured or killed. Eight – What is realistic self-defense? It is impossible to predict the circumstances or the characteristics of an exact attack. Situations and circumstances vary. So there cannot realistically be a sense of being 100 percent prepared. Additionally, the most important aspect of any attack or assault is psychological preparation. Psychological preparation is more important than physical conditioning or the victim’s sex or age. Effective self-defense techniques involve simple movements, and are not complex. Effective self-defense techniques are smart, and do not rely on physical strength. Nine – As has been stated several times in this material, and it will continue to be emphasized in this training program, effective self-defense programs mainly deal with mental preparation, avoidance, awareness, and hopefully a non-violent approach to personal safety. No person is too old, out of condition, or disabled to learn self-defense. In fact, every man, woman, and child should be trained in self-defense. Module Task: Within your group discuss each one of the nine concepts listed above and add your own personal perspective and opinion on each concept. Write down your thoughts and ideas on self-defense here.

The Fundamental Principles of Personal Protection Everyone has the right to protect themselves. Even the smallest creatures on earth have been given the ability to protect themselves. From the evolutionary characteristics of environmental camouflage, to chemical protectants, to horn and hoof, and teeth and claws all creatures have evolved the ability to protect themselves and to defend their young. Human beings lacking fur, horns, hooves, sharp tearing teeth, and long ripping claws have developed hand, foot, knee, and elbow fighting skills and they have invented weapons such as the knife, sword, spear, bow, and guns. Anyone can find themselves in a bad situation or at the wrong place at the wrong time. Young people tend to be at the greatest risk of being a victim of violence and most victims are between the ages of 18 and 24 years old. Young people are at greatest risk because of a number of factors including: 1.

Young people may simply be more active than older adults. 18

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Young people may lack experience, be unaware of, or ignore danger signs. Young people may lack the self-confidence to leave or to get away from a potentially dangerous situation. Young people are more likely to give into peer pressure. Young people may find dangerous situations, people, or groups exciting or attractive. Young people may drink heavily or use drugs other than, and in addition, to alcohol. Young people may be less likely to back away from a confrontation. Young people may not want to listen to good advice. Young people may have more ego invested in appearing to be “cool” or not wanting to appear to be afraid.

The best form of self-defense is to ensure that you have prepared for an attack before it happens and that means that you do not take unnecessary risks with your personal safety. Learn to avoid the areas, places, and people in your life that might increase your risk of being attacked. Your local police department can provide you with crime statistics that inform you as to where the most dangerous areas of your city are. Avoid those areas, especially at night. High risk areas include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

High crime areas (Do you live in one?) Bars and nightclubs Concerts Sporting events ATMs Poorly lit areas Parking garages Parking lots Alleyways Industrial areas at night Public parks day and night Unpatrolled and unlit beaches Buffer areas next to high crime areas Any remote area with few pedestrians Anywhere where drugs and alcohol are being used

The more that you frequent these high risk areas or events the greater is your risk of an assault. Self-defense is not about being able to fight it is rather a way of living. Many self-defense programs spend a lot of time teaching you how to deal with the “mugger”, the “rapist”, and the “stranger”, but the reality is that 84 percent of all violent attacks are perpetuated by someone you know and very often someone that you are living with. When we discuss self-responsibility for your personal safety that responsibility begins in our own close personal relationships and our homes. We live in a society and culture of fear and violence and threats can develop at any time, including when you least expect them. It is always best to avoid conflict and fighting whenever possible because the consequences of any attack can be serious or fatal. Avoidance The first fundamental principle of personal protection is avoidance. The best way to protect oneself is simply not to be where there is trouble. This principle is called risk avoidance. In order to avoid trouble you need to know where trouble is. Make an avoidance plan by listing areas, events, or activities that increase your risk exposure. Module Task: Risk Avoidance Plan -

Awareness The second fundamental principle of personal protection is awareness. The principle of awareness is often referred to as situation awareness, but I prefer the concept of being aware at all times and in all places, not just situationally. There are some activities, areas, events, and locations that demand a higher level of awareness. For this exercise make a situational awareness list of includes activities, areas, events, and locations where you believe that you should be situationally aware. Module Task: Situational Awareness List -

Psychological (Mental and Emotional) Wellbeing or Balance The process of self-defense is largely a matter of psychological, mental, and emotional wellbeing or balance. It is important that a person is not aggressive or violent, does not have a fragile or over inflated ego that needs to prove itself, and is not looking for trouble. On the other hand in certain circumstances a person needs to be able to stand up for themselves and when the situation warrants it to present a strong personality and mental willpower, as well as, the intention to defend one’s self should that become necessary. From a teaching viewpoint a good teacher should not train bullies or people who want to use their training to hurt other people. From a personal viewpoint if a person is incapable of marshalling the mental focus and intention to defend themselves then their training might actually get them hurt.

Due to complicated combinations of personality traits and early childhood development experiences and environment factors some people become bullies and violent offenders. Module Task: What do you think are the negative characteristics that could lead to a person becoming a violent offender or aggressor?

Also due to a complicated combination of inherited personality traits, early childhood development, and environment factors other people become peacemakers and the defenders of others. What do you think are the positive characteristics that could contribute to a person becoming a peacemaker or a defender?

Module Task: Key discussion points for group discussion: • There is a moral and legal difference between “fighting” and selfdefense. • You have the responsibility for your own safety. • You have the responsibility to defend yourself and others. • You have the right to be safe. • You have the right to defend yourself or others. • You have the legal right to use force to defend yourself. • You have the legal right to defend your property. • You have the right to use reasonable and necessary force to defend yourself, others, and your property. • You do not have a duty to warn an assailant that you intend to defend yourself. • In many circumstances (and states/countries) you have the right to use preemptive force against an assailant. • In many circumstances (and states/countries) you do not have a “duty to retreat” from an assailant. • When faced with a threat and an assailant there is no legal expectation of “minimum force”. • When faced with a threat and an assailant, striking first is not a crime. • When you are faced with a credible threat and an assailant you may use available weapons at hand that would under other conditions be considered illegal.

Coopers Modified Situational Awareness Color Alert System Major John Dean Cooper was a United States Marine, who developed an alertness system for evaluating threat levels, primarily for the use of a handgun. The color code, as originally introduced by Jeff Cooper, had nothing to do with tactical situations or alertness levels, but rather with one's state of mind. As taught by Cooper, it relates to the degree of threat you are willing to do something about and which allows you to move from one state of mind to another to enable you to properly handle a given situation. Cooper did not claim to have invented anything in particular with the color code, but he was apparently the first to use it as an indication of mental state. CONDITION WHITE- Mental State Condition white is the state of being oblivious to a threat. The person is not alert and is completely unaware of their surroundings and any potential threats. Unfortunately this is a common state for many people 24

as they walk along sending text messages on their smart phone or are plugged into a pair of headphones and listening to music. This is a high risk state because it can lead to victimization. CONDITION YELLOW – Mental State Condition yellow is a relaxed state of general alertness. In this state you are not looking for anything or anyone you simply are quietly alert and aware of your immediate environment. In this state you are difficult to surprise and you can easily slip into higher levels of alertness. In this state you are difficult to victimize. CONDITION ORANGE- Mental State In condition orange a very specific threat has entered your awareness and you are focused on evaluating the extent of that threat. The difference between condition yellow and condition orange is that you have become aware of a specific threat. To provide an example that I experienced it was a man sitting on the floor in a movie theatre wearing a camouflage jacket and rifling his hands through a military backpack. CONDITION RED- Mental State In condition red you are mobilizing your internal and external resources to fight. You could switch from a mental to a physical reaction in a fraction of a second. The key to situation red is that you are ready to fight. Escalation/De-escalation The entire process of moving from yellow, orange, and red can take minutes or seconds and it can escalate up the scale or de-escalate down the scale as the circumstances and the situation changes. So far all of these states are non-physical and are mental states. CONDITION BLACK – Physical and Mental Condition black is full attack. Condition black is the phrase in which you are physically engaged in defending yourself and attacking your assailant. 25

Module Task: In your group discuss this color coding system and give personal examples for each of the state of alertness and/or threats that you have experienced.

Personal Faith, Religion, and Self-Defense While most training programs on self-defense take into consideration psychological, emotional, legal and physical principles and concepts, few if any consider the subject from a religious, faith, or spiritual perspective. The following material on the subject of violence or self-defense is taken from several faith traditions and constitutes an interfaith approach to the topic. Module Task: Use the following interfaith quotes or material (and any others that you know personally) to discuss the religious, faith based, or spiritual principles and concepts involved in a person’s choice to defend themselves, even should that defense include lethal force. The Jewish Faith Tradition This quote establishes a justification for engaging in a category of war not mentioned in Deuteronomy 20 or in the talmudic analysis of 27

obligatory and discretionary wars. Significantly, there is no explicit, biblical justification for engaging in defensive war. The Jewish rabbis do establish a duty of self‑defense for each individual on the basis of Exodus 22:1. As the Talmud states, "If someone comes to kill you, get up early in the morning to kill him first." (Berakhot 58a; Yoma 85b; Sanhedrin 72a) Each individual has the right of self‑defense. The Christian Faith Tradition In Luke 22:35-38 it states, “And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, 38“It is enough.” In Exodus 22:2-3 “If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, 3 but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.” The Muslim Faith Tradition Islam allows self-defense (Qur'an 22:39), to protect those who have been removed from their homes by force because they are Muslims (Qur'an 22:40), and to protect the innocent who are being oppressed (Qur'an 4:75). In the Qur'an 5:32 if anyone killed a person - unless it was for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed the whole people. Further in the Qur’an 5:87 “O you who believe, do not prohibit good things that are made lawful by GOD, and do not aggress; GOD dislikes the aggressors”, Qur’an 8:61 “If they resort to peace, so shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.”. Qur’an 4:90 “...if they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then GOD gives you no excuse to fight them.”

The Bahá'í Faith Tradition “A hitherto untranslated Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Bahá, however, points out that in the case of attack by robbers and highwaymen, a Bahá'í should not surrender himself, but should try, as far as circumstances permit, to defend himself, and later on lodge a complaint with the government authorities. In a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, he also indicates that in an emergency when there is no legal force at hand to appeal to, a Bahá'í is justified in defending his life. In another letter the Guardian has further pointed out that the assault of an irresponsible assailant upon a Bahá'í should be resisted by the Bahá'í, who would be justified, under such circumstances, in protecting his life.” Published in Messages from the Universal House of Justice: 1963-1986, page 148 “...From the texts you already have available it is clear that Bahá'u'lláh has stated that it is preferable to be killed in the path of God's good pleasure than to kill, and that organized religious attack against Bahá'ís should never turn into any kind of warfare, as this is strictly prohibited in our Writings.” The Universal House of Justice, Guidance on SelfDefense “Be in perfect unity. Never become angry with one another….Love the creatures for the sake of God and not for themselves. You will never become angry or impatient if you love them for the sake of God. Humanity is not perfect. There are imperfections in every human being, and you will always become unhappy if you look toward the people themselves. But if you look toward God, you will love them and be kind to them, for the world of God is the world of perfection and complete mercy. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace Other Faith Traditions In the religious faiths of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism we find the principle of non-violence or Ahimsã. Ahimsã is a Sanskrit word meaning “to do no harm”. While the principle means the avoidance of violence self-defense is allowed. “Ahimsã is not just non-violence or not resorting to arms, but it is also the feeling that tries to reduce harm to all living creatures. Sometimes, force or violence may in fact be necessary to prevent harm. Suppose a 29

train is heading towards a child who is standing in the middle of railroad tracks. We would be inclined to push the child out of the way to save his or her life. Suppose that a wild animal is running ferociously to attack a group of tourists. The animal may need to be wounded to prevent harm to numerous people. Ahimsã recognizes the right to defend one’s self, family, community, and country through the most feasible and appropriate, yet least violent, means necessary. However, defending oneself should never be used to justify violence that is not provoked or warranted. One should be careful that defending one’s self does not become a hidden form of aggression.” Source: Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Module Task: In your group discuss your faith traditions position on violence and on self-defense (two different concepts). Module Task: How would you feel if in the course of defending your life, or another person’s, you accidently took a life? Which prophet in the Christian bible accidently took a life?

Physical Self-defense Skill Sets There are perhaps as many approaches to the martial arts and physical self-defense techniques as there are instructors and practitioners. There are dozens of styles of martial arts that represent the traditional marital arts of many cultures. Some forms of traditional martial arts are well suited to self-defense and others are not. Some forms of martial art claim to be non-violent and completely defensive and other forms employ methods that are very aggressive and potentially lethal. While most martial art schools claim to be effective for self-defense some martial art training is better suited to sports arenas and sport competition and does not equate well to reality based self-defense scenarios. Typical self-defense training programs use simplified techniques that are more direct and that do not require years of intensive training. Section Two of this training program, Practical Self-Defense Skills, covers the basic and simplified techniques that we practice in this training program.

You do not have to be a martial art expert or in peak physical condition to employ the psychological, mental, and physical techniques of selfdefense. Sometimes just the demonstration of a willingness to physically defend oneself is enough to deter an assailant who is looking for easy prey. For example, I had a female student in Evanston, Illinois who was accosted on a train platform at night. She was alone on the platform with two men who had her cornered and the only way off of the platform, down the stairs, and to safety on the street was to walk between them. As she quickly and boldly walked between them (as they attempted to block her path) one of the men reached out to touch her right breast. Her reaction was to push his hand away and to calmly keep on walking. They were so surprised at her sudden move that she got through them and to the safety of other people on the street. The movement that she used to push his hand away from her breast was called “Cloud Hands” and it is a basic tai chi technique. Street attackers and muggers are not looking for a fight they are looking for a victim. Remember, there are no rules or referees on the street. Module Task: Within your group discuss any close encounters with assailants that you have had.

Self-Defense and the Law If you have to physically defend yourself from a violent assault and during your defense of yourself, or another person, you harm, maim, or take the life of another human being your normal life as you have known it will end. That is a sad fact and almost inevitable consequence of any self-defense act that results in harm to another human being. If you successfully defended yourself against being killed, you will still be alive to live your life and to be with your loved ones but the civil and criminal consequences will be emotionally and financially significant. At the very least there will likely be substantial legal fees and/or legal judgments on behalf of the assailant or their family or you may face manslaughter or homicide charges. The above listed issues are only the material consequences that can result from physical self-defense. Physical self-defense also can have an emotional toll that occurs from harming another human being, as well as, long term issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In the US each state has separate laws that pertain to acts of violence, aggression, assault, and self-defense. The State of Michigan has the following law: Michigan Self Defense Law - Michigan Public Act 309 of 2006 If you feel that your, or someone else's, wellbeing or life is being threatened you may take defensive or lethal preemptive action. In the state of Michigan you have the right to use lethal force to defend yourself but the right of self-defense does not make you immune to a civil lawsuit or criminal prosecution. Some states do not have a right to preemptive action law and instead have a duty to retreat law which is the doctrine that a victim of a deadly assault must attempt to safely retreat before using deadly force in self-defense. When you are traveling across country and from state to state it is almost impossible to know what kind of self-defense law you will be subjected to should some kind of incident occur. If by your actions to defend yourself, or another person, you cause harm or take a human life you will be held accountable for your actions in accordance with the laws of the state or country where the incident took place. The following is an example of a law that pertains to self-defense. Sample Self Defense Law: A person is allowed to act in self-defense. If evidence of self-defense is present, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense. In other words, if you have a reasonable doubt whether or not the defendant acted in self-defense, your verdict must be not guilty. In the use of non-deadly force: To prove that the defendant did not act in self-defense, the State must prove one of the following things beyond a reasonable doubt:

First, that the defendant did not reasonably believe he (she) was being attacked or immediately about to be attacked, and that his (her) safety was in immediate danger; or Second, that the defendant did not do everything reasonable in the circumstances to avoid physical combat before resorting to force; or Third, that the defendant used more force to defend himself (herself) than was reasonably necessary in the circumstances. In the use of deadly force: If the defendant (used deadly force, which is force intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm) (or) (used a dangerous weapon in a manner intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm), the State must prove one of the following three things beyond a reasonable doubt: First, that the defendant did not reasonably and actually believe that he (she) was in immediate danger of great bodily harm or death; or Second, that the defendant did not do everything reasonable in the circumstances to avoid physical combat before resorting to force; or Third, that the defendant used more force to defend himself (herself) than was reasonably necessary in the circumstances. In conclusion, to obtain a conviction for the offense(s) of ____________, the State must prove each element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is evidence of self-defense, the State also has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense. If each element of the crime has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt and it has also been proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense, you should return a verdict of guilty. If any element of the crime has not been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, or the State did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense, you must find the defendant not guilty.

Module Task: Within your group class discuss self-defense incidents that have been covered in your local news or by the national media. What were some of the moral and legal issues that were part of these incidents? Module Task: Discuss the following concepts in your group: Things that you should not do – • • • • • • • • •

Carry a weapon on a regular basis. Use lethal force. Engage in fighting. Continue to fight when it is not necessary. Continue to fight when you could leave the area. Assault, beat or kick a person who is down or unconscious. Confront a person that appears to be dangerous. Do not argue with people in public places that you do not know. Fail to walk away from conflict when you can.

A Case of Mistaken Identity During the course of this training program I will share with you my personal experiences and encounters related to self-defense. I will also, from time to time, share with you the stories of some of my students and the graduates of my self-defense classes. Hopefully, the tragic story of the woman who was raped in her home touched your heart and you better understand the seriousness of selfdefense training. I know many of these stories because my past students have trusted me enough to share their very personal and painful stories with me. I have also, as I did just two weeks ago, looked at the bruises, broken facial bones, cuts and lacerations of male and female victims of violent physical assault. I have held their hands, put my arms around their shoulders as they sobbed, and I have seen the deep pain in their eyes. This story is about a case of mistaken identity and in it I share with you the moment that I realized that I not only had a right to defend myself against a physical assault but that I equally had a responsibility not to 37

become an assaulter. I share this story with you at the onset of this class because while I want to empower you to be able to defend yourselves I do not want you to go beyond the amount of force needed to defend yourself. Several years ago, just after having moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, I decided to visit my brother who was playing bass guitar in a rock band in Fountain, Michigan. I took a nice leisurely ride up to Fountain on my motorcycle. Upon arriving in Fountain at the old one room county schoolhouse where the wedding was being held I pulled up on the lawn that encircled the schoolhouse and got off of my bike. As I was removing my helmet, and from my peripheral vision, I picked up a sudden movement coming at the side of my head. I moved my head slightly backward and I noticed that the large object that moved past my nose was a fist. I quickly moved my hands up and made contact with the assailant’s right arm and I moved in behind him. Although what I am about to describe occurred in five seconds or less I was already picking up the strong smell of a mixture of beer and sweat. I also noticed that the assailant was a very large man whose arms were the size of my legs and who had at least a 50 inch chest circumference. He was big and he was strong. Once I had moved behind the assailant, while not breaking contact with his arm, I moved into a rear naked choke hold while at the same time throwing my legs around his waist with my heels in his groin and I pulled him down backwards onto the ground and on top of me. This is one of the first Kenpo techniques that I had been taught during the “shoe store” classes in Benton Harbor, Michigan and it had just occurred and been executed in real time and in a real fight. Had I fully executed the technique that I was taught, I would have used the radial bone of my right forearm to crush the assailant’s throat before we hit the ground. I clearly remember my thoughts, “Who is this guy” and “Why is he attacking me.” Unable, or more correctly unwilling, to crush his windpipe that moment’s hesitation allowed my attacker to reach up and grab my wrists and to pull my hands away from his throat. I escaped his grasp by rotating my wrists into and against his thumb joints. My next move against him was again exactly what I had been trained to do, I 38

moved my right forefinger into his right eye and prepared to push the finger into his eye socket and to remove his right eye. This technique is called a fishhook, or an eye hook. Once again, I heard my internal voice urging restraint and once again I momentarily hesitated to execute the technique which allowed my assailant to push my hand away from his eye. As I continued to find a technique that I was willing to use on my assailant I move to a nosed hook and my right forefinger entered his nose and prepared to rip it open. Finally, a non-lethal technique that I was willing to execute. At this moment, my assailant went limp, and indicated an urgent willingness to cease his aggression against me. My response was, “No way buddy until you tell me why you attacked me.” His explanation was quick and simple. Another guy on a motorcycle had sped through the area and had kicked up some gravel which had hit his girlfriend in the head. It was a case of mistaken identity. Once he realized his mistake, which was partially fueled by too much beer, he apologized and we both stood up, shook hands, and brushed the dust off of our clothes. It was about at this point in the story, and after asking me who I was, that he realized that my brother was one of his closest friends. I doubt that he ever realized just how close he came too being injured, or worse, that afternoon. God does indeed watch over his fools. From that experience on I began to train myself to learn to so highly develop my self-defense skills so as protect myself while the same time attempting, as much as my skill would allow, to not harm another human being. Module Task: In your group consider the following questions – 1. In terms of self-defense how much of a physical self-defense response is too much? 2. Would you endure a single slap or punch without responding in kind? 3. Would you have as much concern for your assailant’s safety as your own? 39

4. Would you put yourself at risk attempting not to harm your assailant? 5. How might this story, or my responses to the assailant, have been different if the assailant was armed with a knife? 6. Do you agree with my philosophy and choice, in at least this situation, to put myself at risk by not fully executing my most maiming or lethal techniques? 7. Is my philosophy dangerous and does it put a student at risk of injury or death? 8. Although, considering the motivating factors behind this surprise attack it is unlikely, what if the person being attacked in this scenario was a woman, or an elderly person? Would that person be justified in using maiming or lethal force to defend themselves?

The Mailman Sometimes we are called to the defense of another person that is in trouble. Coming to the aid of another person that is being threatened, bullied, or attacked can be a very dangerous proposition and many good Samaritans, even law enforcement officers, have been injured or killed as a result of their attempt to render assistance to another person. I could share with you several scenarios where I either attempted to come to the aid of another person or I witnessed someone else providing assistance and attempting to protect someone who was being attacked. One situation that I witnessed occurred in a movie theatre parking lot. I witnessed 4 young men attempting to fight 1 young man. I came upon the situation during the middle of the altercation so I did not know how the fight had started or who the initiating assailant(s) was. I only knew that the fight was 4 against 1 and as I evaluated the situation I was leaning towards assisting the young man who was attempting to fight off 4 assailants. However, I had a young woman with me and I did not want to leave her side or put her at risk so I held back for a few moments to see what was going to happen. To my surprise the 1 young man was easily able to fend off his 4 attackers and they withdrew from the fight and ran away. From observing this fight I learned that multiple attackers can be at a disadvantage in a fight because they cannot think as 1 person, they think and act separately and that can be used to their disadvantage. Initially most multiple attackers will have a plan but that plan can quickly fall apart in the face of trained resistance and then in the heat of conflict they no longer have a plan and they simply become several people getting into each other’s way. Never face multiple attacker’s head on and when possible position yourself so that the attackers are in each other’s way and have to step around each other to get to you. Attacks happen in seconds and every moment is a precious opportunity to engage an assailant(s) or to run away. When you are faced with multiple attackers do not go to the ground (ground fighting), stay on your feet, and watch your back or place

yourself against a car or a wall. Use whatever will defend your back from attack. The second scenario that I will share with you was different. I was out on my mountain bike and riding up Fountain Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan when I heard someone calling for help. The person calling for help was an off duty mailman who was walking home with a bag of groceries when he was accosted and threatened by 3 young men who were attempting to rob him. I knew this mailman because he was race walker and I frequently saw him in the street race walking or on his front porch in our neighborhood. I went over to him and the 3 young men who were attempting to rob him. “Ignoring” the 3 young men I engaged the mailman in conversation and I asked him if he would take my bike to his house and leave it on his porch for me. He eagerly agreed and he immediately left with his groceries and my mountain bike. At this point I turned to face the 3 would be robbers. I kept the 3 young men directly in front of me and began to assess the threat level (it was red) and to consider the order and the method of my attack. The most dangerous of the 3 assailants was the smallest of the three and he was flanked by his two “enforcers”. The assailants directed the usual “trash talk” at me but “sticks and stones…” so I ignored the trash talk and focused on the task at hand. Then something happened to greatly escalate the level of threat and danger, the “leader” began to reach inside his coat. The only assumption that can be made from such an action is that he is reaching for a weapon, most likely a gun (condition black). Attacks to the throat are only used under the direst circumstances because if too much force is delivered they can crush the trachea and may result in death by suffocation. At that moment I was about to hit the leader in his throat and step to my left to attack the assailant standing on the leaders right. This move would have taken out the leader and would have placed me in front of one of the enforcers, and would have placed the other enforcer farther away from me with the fallen leader and the other enforcer between me and him. That would have given me time to

either attack the enforcer, or to run away. But, something amazing happened… The enforcer on the leaders right (my left) reached over and placed his hand over the leaders hand and said, “I know this guy, leave him alone.” It was then that I realized that the two “enforcers” were two young men that ten years earlier, and while they were kids, had been living on the street and that I had taken them into my studio/dojo apartment on Lyon Street and had spent many hours with them talking, eating pizza, and watching movies together. Ten years later we were reunited under these circumstances. This is why in my training programs on self-defense I have added a spiritual component and prayers for protection, and that I talk about the grace of God. There are many martial artists and teachers of self-defense programs that not only strongly disagree with me on this aspect of my beliefs, philosophy, and training but think that teaching this approach will endanger students. Only you can decide whether this approach has merit and unfortunately it is often only in the flash and heat of conflict that the truth is revealed. Bahá'í Prayer for Protection I have risen this morning by Thy grace, O my God, and left my home trusting wholly in Thee, and committing myself to Thy care. Send down, then, upon me, out of the heaven of Thy mercy, a blessing from Thy side, and enable me to return home in safety even as Thou didst enable me to set out under Thy protection with my thoughts fixed steadfastly upon Thee. There is none other God but Thee, the One, the Incomparable, the AllKnowing, the All-Wise. Module Task: Within your group discuss your feelings and opinions regarding placing trust in God and depending upon God’s grace and protection.

The Bus Stop Encounter There are cases where a single punch to the face resulted in death or a death resulted from a push that led to a fall and a fractured skull. This is why as a martial artist I do not use jujitsu, judo, or aikido throws on a sidewalk or in the street. Most people do not know how to fall, like a martial artist is trained to fall or roll, and they might fall and get seriously injured or die. In the example of the story of “A Case of Mistaken Identity” I took control of the fall even to the point of bringing my attacker down on top of me so that I minimized the risk of injury to the attacker. Not everyone has the presence of mind or the skill to do this. Also, it is difficult enough to bring down an aggressive attacker let alone to bring his 260 pound body on top of you! On a cold morning I walked to downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan to catch the bus that would take me to my practice in Cutlerville. While I was waiting for the bus two men, one well-muscled and young and one older, began to walk towards me. I could tell by the way that they were checking me over that something was up. As they got closer to me they separated and one of them attempted to move behind me. In this kind of threat sequence he will be the attacker and the one in front of me will be the distractor. The older man, smelling of alcohol, moved directly in front of me and began to ask me if I had change for the bus and the young man attempted to close the distance behind me. Their plan was to hit me as I pulled out my wallet or change. However, I had been in this same situation on more than one occasion on the streets of Chicago so I was prepared. As the older man was moving towards me I pivoted slightly sideways and into a position to watch both men with my peripheral vision. I relaxed my body to increase my ability to move fast, and I brought my hands and arms up into a position similar to holding your own arms or to scratch your head. At this point in our unfolding encounter the older man stopped moving towards me and stated, “You are a fighter aren’t you.” To which I calmly replied, “Why yes I am, how did you know that?” To which he replied, “By the way you are standing.” 44

Do not underestimate an assailant, many of them are well skilled in their craft as this man was. He and I then began a cautious but friendly discussion about fighting and specifically boxing which he had trained in. While the two of us were getting to know each other the younger man was showing signs of confusion and impatience. He did not understand why the older man and I were talking like old friends. Fortunately for all involved he did not attempt to attack me from behind. He just wandered on down the sidewalk. The older man and I had a pleasant and respectful conversation during which he shared that his problems with alcohol had derailed his hopes of being a professional boxer and I encouraged him to get back into to training simply for his own wellbeing. As my bus arrived I wished him well and headed off to work. This encounter is an example of using situational awareness and communication skills to neutralize a potential threat. Sometimes showing people on the street respect is enough to avoid a potentially violent situation. Module Task: In your group discuss this encounter. Have you experienced similar situations in your life?

The Muggers I attended the Second Bahá'í World Congress held in New York City at the Jacob Javet’s Convention Center with 30,000 other Bahá'ís. As part of the security precautions at the World Congress the Bahá'ís were asked and warned not to walk from the Jacob Javet’s Center, which was located in an semi industrial area on the waterfront, and their hotels several blocks away in Manhattan. Buses had been provided to ferry the conference participants safely back and forth. I was standing in line about to board a bus when I noticed that a young Bahá'í woman was walking around the front of the bus and was heading into the industrial area by herself. I momentarily considered a nice comfortable ride back to the hotel or the responsibility of accompanying this woman back to her hotel. Reluctantly, I opted to catch up with her and walk her back to her hotel. An announcement had been made that morning at the conference that a group of 4 Bahá'ís who were walking to their hotel had been mugged in the same area and another young woman had been raped in a separate incident. This was not an empty threat. As I caught up to the young woman I introduced myself and asked her if she could guide me back to the street that my hotel was on. She readily agreed. As we walked on and she chatted away on a number of topics I guided her towards the middle of the empty street and away for the doorways and alleyways. She was in a condition white and totally oblivious to her environment. After we had traveled together for two blocks two men began to step out of a darkened doorway and were staring intently at us. As the previously mentioned mugging incident had indicated I had no expectation of safety in numbers. Not that a man and a woman are a serious threat to two potentially armed muggers. (Always assume the worse but hope for the best) My companion had not and never did notice these two men. The two men and I locked eyes with each other and they stepped closer to the street with the intention of incepting us. I put out my hand and shook my head no at them. They appeared surprised and they looked at each other briefly and conferred with each other, 46

As I was walking I kept facing the men and I did not break direct eye contact with them. As we came up on them I continued to face them by walking sideways, my companion still did not notice anything wrong. As we passed the men, the moment shifted, and they stepped backward into the shadows and as we moved on by them I turned towards them and walked backwards until we had passed many yards from them. My companion never noticed a thing and she never stopped talking. Modular Task: In your group discuss what you might have done in a similar situation? 1. What self-defense principles were violated here? 2. How could this situation have been avoided? 3. What condition code was this situation?

The would be Muggers I had planned a backpacking trip into the Minnesota and Canadian Boundary Water area for my spring break vacation from college classes in Chicago, Illinois. I was in downtown Chicago waiting for a bus and I was walking around the area south of the Greyhound bus station. While I was walking down the street I suddenly felt the hairs on the back of my head stand up and I realized that I was in some kind of danger from behind me. I pivoted very quickly to see what the problem might be (if there was one) and I noticed two men rushing at me from out of an alleyway. Without any thought I began running directly at them and they came to a surprised stop, turned and ran back into the alleyway. I immediately crossed to the opposite side of the street and returned to a more populated area and the bus station. Module Task: What condition code(s) was involved in this scenario?

The Mob Sometimes you simply find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time and this is what happened to me on a hot and humid night in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. I was living in a shabby and rundown apartment complex that was liberally populated by soldiers who were stationed at nearby Fort Knox. They were a heavy drinking all night party loving crowd and I had had run-ins with several of them over their raucous dust to dawn all night parties. On this particularly hot night yet another party was in full swing. I was returning home from my second shift assignment and I was tired and cranky. As I parked my prized white Cadillac convertible and locked its doors I heard a shout, “There he is! Let’s get him!” Apparently, some of the partiers were individuals with which whom I had lodged complaints over their frequent drunken parties and long nights of loud music, and now they were out to get me. It is an unusual situation to find oneself in when an entire mob boils out of an apartment and rushes at you screaming, yelling, and laughing with the intent to do you bodily harm. I really did not have any opportunity to prepare other than to stand my ground and face the first of the onrushing attackers. I recognized my first attacker as the renter of the apartment and mostly likely the host of the party. What happened next, I have never forgotten. As the first member of the mob reached me I punched him in the stomach so hard that my fist made contact with his spine. I will never forget that feeling as my knuckles connected with his lumbar vertebra. Until it happened I would not have thought it possible! He was not a small man and he was not in bad physical condition. This one punch knocked the first attacker to the ground and he appeared to be unconscious. The second attacker rushed at me and I grabbed him and threw him through the wooden fence behind me. The third attacker 49

approached me, but hesitated for a moment after seeing what had happed to his friends, and then everything changed. A car load of soldiers returning from a night of bar hopping pulled up by me and seeing one person (me) facing multiple attackers they piled out of their car and began to beat the living daylights out of the remaining attackers. At this point I quietly slipped away, went to my apartment and got in bed. The next morning I learned that soon after I left the riot the police had arrived and had made multiple arrests. After finding several notes with death threats nailed to my apartment door I moved out of the apartment complex and into a house on a nice quiet residential street.

Home Invasion When I was 10 years old I experienced my first encounter with a home invasion. As I reflect over the years and through my adulthood I have experienced 4 separate home invasions or robberies. I was at home during 2 of them. The most recent FBI statistics regarding home invasion and robbery reveal: • • • • • •

Every 20 seconds a home is invaded! (Burglarized or robbed) 4457 Homes are robbed or burglarized every day. The arrest rate is only 18%, and that’s just arrests, not convictions. 59.7% of all burglaries involved forced entry. There is a forced entry burglary every 28 seconds. 97% of all home intrusions happen when no one is at home.

I was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived in Harvey, Illinois until I was 9 years old at which time we moved to an isolated and run down 260 acre farm in lower eastern Wisconsin just a few miles outside of Burlington, Wisconsin. My father had a job in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and on occasion he could not return home at night and so my mother, 2 brothers and I would be left alone on the farm. Late one evening our family dog, which was tied up to a post on the front porch, began to bark loudly and was showing signs of agitation. My mother had been on the phone talking with my father when the dog began to bark and then the telephone went dead. That phone was our only way to call out for help. We had no way of leaving the farm because my father had the car in Milwaukee. I had been given my first rifle, a BB gun, when I was 5 years old and my father and uncles had taught me how to shoot both a .22 and a 16 gauge shotgun not long after that. Sunday afternoons, after church, was frequently the time when we shot tin cans off of the wooden fencing around an old apple orchard that was on our property. 51

Moments after the dog began to bark, and the telephone went dead, my mother came up to my 2nd story bedroom and handed me the loaded .22 rifle and a box of ammunition, and instructed me to remain at the open bedroom window with the gun and to “shoot anything that moves out there.” I spent the entire night on alert with the loaded .22 pointed out of the window while my mother remained downstairs with the loaded 16 gauge shotgun. At one point I saw movement by a large tree that stood by the driveway in front of the house and I opened fire with several shots at and around the tree. The rest of the night was quiet and uneventful. When the morning came I went downstairs where my mother was sitting in a rocking chair with the 16 gauge positioned across her lap and at her feet was our dog, sound asleep. I woke up the dog and let him out of the house and he went straight to the tree where I had seen movement and had opened fire. As he smelled the area behind the tree I noticed a set of large footprints in the dirt. Then I walked around the house and discovered that the telephone line going into the house had been cut with a knife or other sharp object. Module Task: In your group discuss your opinion or concerns regarding a home invasion and what preparations, if any, you have made to protect your home and your family.

Domestic Abuse and Assault Unfortunately, I have been no stranger to domestic abuse and assault. Having lived with domestic abuse and assault for more than 2 decades of my earlier life, having studied the subject in college psychology and sociology courses, as a writer on this subject, having worked as a youth probation officer and drug rehabilitation counselor, and having worked with victims of domestic abuse and assault for at least 40 years, I know a bit about the problem. A 2014 Huffington Post article reported: “The number of American troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2001 and 2012 was 6,488. The number of American women who were murdered by current or ex male partners during that time was 11,766. That's nearly double the amount of casualties lost during war. Women are much more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence with 85 percent of domestic abuse victims being women and 15 percent men. Too many women have been held captive by domestic violence -whether through physical abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse or a combination of all three.” Domestic abuse is the psychological aspect of the problem where mental and emotional pressure, manipulation, control, and cruelty are used against a person. Domestic assault is the violent phase where the abuse becomes physical. In the US 3 women per day are murdered as a result of a domestic assault. Too often children are witnesses or are themselves victims of domestic abuse and assault. CNN reports that “…more than 3 million children have witnessed it in their homes every year, according to estimates. What those children see and hear can have a profound impact on their lives, experts around the country who deal with domestic violence tell CNN.” Here is what the numbers look like in the US regarding child abuse, assault, and neglect:

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Every year more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving more than 6 million children (a report can include multiple children).

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The United States has one of the worst records among industrialized nations – losing (To a death) on average between four and seven children every day to child abuse and neglect.

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Yearly, referrals to state child protective services involve 6.3 million children, and around 3 million of those children are subject to an investigated report.

Statistic Sources: 1. CDC, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study 2. Child Maltreatment, 2012 3. Kids Count Studies conducted on adults reveals the following statistics:

But of course this problem is not just about the appalling numbers and statistics it is about the emotional toll that this problem takes on human lives. Module Task: In your group discuss the mental and physical costs of domestic abuse and assault.

I Thought It Was About Self Defense! The following article was written by request of the director of the United States Martial Arts Association and was published on the official website of the USMA where it remained for several years. I was curious regarding the rules used by the mixed martial arts sports organizations such as the UFC, IFL, WCL, and the WEC. Although some of the rules vary from organization to organization, depending upon their bias towards striking or grappling, often it is the state athletic commissions that really determine the rules of engagement. After all these “reality” based fighters are the new supermen and are reputed to be the “baddest” thing in the fight game. This is what the Nevada State Athletic Commission currently lists as fouls: • • •

Butting with the head. Eye gouging of any kind. Biting. 55

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Hair pulling. Fish hooking. Groin attacks of any kind. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent. (Gouging) Small joint manipulation. Striking to the spine or the back of the head. (Rabbit punch) Striking downward using the point of the elbow. (Elbow (strike)) Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh. Grabbing the clavicle. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent. Stomping a grounded opponent. Kicking to the kidney with the heel. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck. (Pile driver) Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent. Spitting at an opponent.

As I read over these “fouls”, I found a list of my favorite fighting techniques! In Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jujitsu we simply call the above list of perfectly acceptable techniques - “self-defense”. In addition to eliminating most of my favorite techniques from competition the “spoilers” also do not allow: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent. Holding the ropes or the fence. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area. Attacking an opponent on or during the break. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee. Attacking an opponent after the bell (horn) has sounded the end of a round. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.

8. 9. 10. 11.

Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury. Interference by the corner. Throwing in the towel during competition. Using a Foreign object in the ring to your advantage.

Let’s take the above so called “fouls” by the numbers, for example number one, I thought that the point was to cause injury to an opponent by any means possible? How about “holding the ropes or the fence”, I was taught to use the environment around me including parking meters, the bumpers of cars, or the corner of a brick building to punctuate my fights. Abusive language – all I can say is “sticks and stones”. “Attacking an opponent on or during the break?” Give me a break! If the “opponent can’t defend him/herself at all times they should go home and watch fights on TV “Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee”, heck if the referee is helping the jerk take the referee out too! If you can get an extra punch or kick in at the bell more power to you, in fact why is there a bell at all, there “ain’t” no bell in the street. If there is a bell grab it and hit your opponent in the head with it! How about disobeying the referee? Shame on you! (I am going to tell your father when he gets home.) Timidity, avoiding contact, faking an injury? Haven’t they ever heard of outright trickery, fighting tactics or monkey style kung fu? But let’s look at “avoiding injury” again. That was the reason that I began studying the martial arts to begin with, to avoid being hit! I have no desire to stumble around in my old age punchy from too many head shots. The only rule that I agree with is number nine. Don’t even think about interfering with my fight, I am perfectly capable of handling it myself. On second thought - if I do get in trouble then by all means pile on and have at it. Rules ten and eleven to me are the same thing. Use a towel, a “Foreign” object or anything that you can get your hands on to protect yourself. After all it is called self-defense! I am sorry about my questionable attitude and maybe I have missed the entire point to the billion dollar “reality” fighting game but I was taught to end the fight, end it fast, and go home and eat ice cream and sweet chocolate candies. My father, an amateur boxer, was my first martial arts instructor. He taught me to box and he taught me a fierce independent determination. 57

While his teaching “style” was tough he also taught me by moral example and I particularly remember one lesson that I learned from him regarding the “no rules” approach to self-defense in the street. My father was at one time a floor manager for the now defunct company Montgomery Ward and he managed the appliance department in a Ward’s store in Dubuque, Iowa. One of his employees was a young star Loyola college basketball player with a history of mental imbalance and institutionalization. In other words this guy was a six foot nine two hundred and seventy pound athlete who was mentally unstable when he did not take his medication. On the particular day in question this “raging bull” went totally berserk over how to move a refrigerator and picked up the refrigerator and threw it into a warehouse wall and then proceeded in the direction of my father with a maniacal look on his face. My father stood his ground and as the guy came into range calmly knocked him to the floor unconscious with a really vicious blow to the head, aided by the two-by-four he was holding in both hands. I still remember the sickening sound of the two-by-four connecting with the guy’s head. So all you corporate/celebrity acronyms… fouls? They are just selfdefense techniques to me. Like most martial arts instructors I have taught students who have been the victims of severe incidents of violent assault or abuse self-defense. While the reader may think that my methods are extreme and that this approach is too violent I am reminded of the young woman that I trained who was raped in her home by two men, at knife point, and in front of her eleven year old daughter and husband. I believe that she would disagree with you. Remember, there are no rules or referees on the street.

Module Task: After reading the article above answer the following questions: 1.

Are mixed martial arts competitions “reality” fighting as they claim to be or an organized sport?

Is there a relationship between the media glorification of fighting and violence and violent crimes in our neighborhoods and on the streets?

Is there a difference between training in a traditional martial art and training in self-defense? If so, why is there a difference and what are the differences?

Other books and materials by this author –

Civil Protection Training Program, Part One, Copyright 2015, Revised 2021 Dr. Gregory T. Lawton All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from Gregory T. Lawton. Muyblue Productions 2040 Raybrook SE, Suite 104 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 616-464-0892 Writing, Art and Design – Dr. Gregory T. Lawton