What do you think should be taught for self defense?

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. I've been very sick the past couple of weeks and my thoughts and memory have been very scattered--low blood pressure and malnutrition when I can't eat makes me extremely ill.

The schools in my area are having a huge problem with assaults on college kids on and around campus. You'd think the schools would be more proactive about helping students learn to be more safety conscious. Unfortunately the schools are more intent on covering their asses than helping prevent more crime. The local police department has an awful reputation of being incompetent. There has been an ongoing scandal and protests at UNC Chapel Hill because the school pressures victims of sexual assault to go through the school's crime and punishment student board instead of reporting incidents to the police. So incidents that are signs that a predator is escalating (peeping toms, panty stealing, being sexually aggressive) don't get reported to police and nothing is done until there is a series of rapes.

I also think girls should be taught safety earlier than college age. In previous threads about prevention of violent crimes, many peas have pooh-poohed the idea of learning tactics to keep an individual safe by saying that kind of thinking is paranoid and is living in fear. My dad taught me ways to stay safe from an early age and prevent being in a situation where I would have to use self defense. I actually feel more confident about being alone or being out in public because I have good skills to keep my husband and me safe.

I should have been clearer---I would be helping with info on preventing situations where self defense would be needed. Such as, not leaving a friend alone with a lot of guys, especially if she's been drinking, not walking alone in secluded areas, especially at night, letting people know where you are going and when you plan to return, listing to you gut instincts.

If the students want more self defense training, a lot of deputies teach those classes. I myself want more self defense training, since my muscles are very weak and my heart and back would keep me from being able to out run anyone. My doctor has strongly suggested I get my pistol carry permit, but obviously that isn't possible or wise for college students.

I do think that girls need more classes since they're statistically more likely to be a victim. Women need to know that 90% of gunshot victims survive, and the likelihood of a predator shooting an uncompliant victim in a crowded parking lot for not getting into his vehicle is much less likely than the victim not surviving being taken to a secondary, remote location.

Also, since the statistics show that women are much more likely to be harmed by boyfriends or spouses, they need to know what kind of behaviours to be wary of. Young women are taught to be trusting and sweet, not independent and confident enough in themselves to not get into a controlling relationship or taught that there's no shame in getting out.

It's not about fear or paranoia, its about having the knowledge and skills to make yourself the least appealing target for someone.

I have the free time to put this information together as well as friends in law enforcement that would like to help but need someone to do the grunt work of putting up a website and printed information.