On 16 Nov 2014 at 1:47pm parent wrote:
I'm looking for self-defence classes in Lewes for teenage girls. After a spate of rapes and attacks in the local area (including Brighton in this), I'd like to give my daughter a few tactics and techniques to defend herself. Anyone know of any ? Do the local police run anything ? I remember police/self defence experts coming into my college when I was in my 20s and giving some useful tips, which I have passed on, but I'd like more. For example - would a rape alarm be useful ? Is the use of mace/pepper spray legal ?
Thanks
On 16 Nov 2014 at 5:26pm mark wrote:
This feels awkward but... Could you be frightening your young ladies a bit pointlessly? Thinking about encouraging them to arm themselves? Are there all that many stranger rapes in Cliffe High Street?
On 16 Nov 2014 at 6:09pm bastian wrote:
I worry that your girls could be allowed out late in Brighton when young, it has always had problems, and yes there seem to be more at the moment. I would love the re- education of young men (and somew of the older ones) that not all women are gaggging for it, and that No means No. Yes I to have a daughter- and her problems are that of the entire male world not understanding the above. If a bloke is going to have a go at one of your daughters, no training is going to protect them, but your parenting could-I am not preaching, this stuff makes me feel desperately sad that our kids can't just have a fun night out.
On 16 Nov 2014 at 7:04pm Old Bloke wrote:
Pepper sprays for the general public are illegal even though evidently it's perfectly OK for Old Bill to randomly spray it in the faces of football supporters.
Make your own from an empty Jif Lemon thing with hole made bigger and filled with chilli powder and ground black pepper.
Thankfully rapes and sex attacks are relatively rare but that doesn't make them any less of a worry and danger. If I had a daughter of going out age I'd hope she'd always be careful to stay out of danger but sometimes it comes from what you thought was a safe place. In that case I'd hope she had enough in handbag protection to fight him off
On 16 Nov 2014 at 7:27pm the kronic wrote:
Ive followed my team all over the country for over 35 years Old Bloke. Ive never got into a fight or any trouble with the Police. If you go looking for hastle, you'll get it, if you don't you'll be ok.
On 16 Nov 2014 at 11:10pm wrote:
Thanks for your responses. Just want to make it clear that my daughter isn't going out drinking late at Brighton clubs etc , what has concerned me most is that the most recent instances of attacks and rapes have happened in very ordinary circumstances in broad daylight - walking the dog, on the bus/train, walking down a city street etc during the day. I'm not intending to scare her or dent her confidence or independence, just give her some tools to get away from potentially dangerous situations fast. Women of all ages are assaulted anywhere and everywhere however safe we perceive them to be. I'm not intending to 'arm' her but until
Women and girls can safely walk the streets with no fear of harassment or assault, then I'd rather give her the best possible chance of staying safe as I can.
So - any self defence classes out there?
On 16 Nov 2014 at 11:46pm Old Bloke wrote:
@Kronic - well bully for you. Of course if it's never happened to you it can't have happened to any body.
I've been all over the country following mine for over 50 years and have lost count of the number of times the coppers have started the problem.
Thanks for the contribution anyway constable
On 17 Nov 2014 at 7:28am the kronic wrote:
hahaha old bloke, seems you obviously have a face that everyone hates.
You stay safe now and keep away from the nawty boys and girls.
On 17 Nov 2014 at 10:50am Country Boy wrote:
Old Bloke - I guess there is some truth in what you say. I recall knowing someone in Sussex Police years ago who got 'moved' to Crawley. He was regularly deployed at various football grounds under instruction to get his retaliation in first!
On 17 Nov 2014 at 11:08am Depressed Gardener wrote:
To 'parent': I think it would be better to educate your daughter in the perils of drinking too much when she is out and about with friends. This is when young women are at their most vulnerable. They need to start taking responsibility for themselves and their actions.
On 17 Nov 2014 at 11:19am Old Bloke wrote:
@Chronic (suits you better) regardless of the state of my face did I ever say the problems I've witnessed were my own?
Thought not.
Nawty? Do you think you're Danny Dire?
On 17 Nov 2014 at 11:37am someone else wrote:
Depressed Gardener: How's the training coming along, now you're back at Bramall Lane?
On 17 Nov 2014 at 12:11pm Depressed Gardener wrote:
I've not a clue what you are talking about.
On 17 Nov 2014 at 4:31pm bastian wrote:
I do have one other piece of simple advice, as one parent to another-this goes for boys and girls walking in the city-take your headphones out of your ears, your first warning of approach is heard. Also, carry something in your hand, an umbrella, or an object that looks liek it could be use as a weapon, rather than a weapon that could be turned on you.
Confidence is really important, if you look vulnerable you are open to attack, if you look confident you may get left alone.
It is a rare thing, that is why it is still reported with such horror, that is good to remember.
On 17 Nov 2014 at 6:11pm PC49 wrote:
Bastian f you carry something in your hand that looks like a weapon I'll nick you so fast your eyes will water.
On 17 Nov 2014 at 6:47pm Rods Tiger wrote:
PC48 - Isn't it a shame that you are unable to read what people have actually written. Perhaps it's the blurred vision from those watering eyes.
On 17 Nov 2014 at 7:33pm Joes Lion wrote:
Evenin` All
On 18 Nov 2014 at 8:17am Parent wrote:
Depressed gardener. My daughter is 14 and not allowed to go out drinking - I know other parents can be more lax in this respect though. I agree about making themselves aware about not being vulnerable - that's why I asked the original question !
victims should not be blamed - attackers should be - girls and women should be able to go about their daily lives free from harassment and fear.
One issue - as Bastian touches upon - is re educating boys and men about their perception of women and how to treat women and girls - it's not easy when they are fed a diet of images in the media objectifying and sexualising females.
I think I will approach the police about self defence classes, but thank you all for your replies
On 18 Nov 2014 at 8:17am Parent wrote:
Depressed gardener. My daughter is 14 and not allowed to go out drinking - I know other parents can be more lax in this respect though. I agree about making themselves aware about not being vulnerable - that's why I asked the original question !
victims should not be blamed - attackers should be - girls and women should be able to go about their daily lives free from harassment and fear.
One issue - as Bastian touches upon - is re educating boys and men about their perception of women and how to treat women and girls - it's not easy when they are fed a diet of images in the media objectifying and sexualising females.
I think I will approach the police about self defence classes, but thank you all for your replies
On 19 Nov 2014 at 9:53am Al Greenan wrote:
Jesus Christ, people on this forum are ridiculous. 'Parent', look up Brighton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for self defence which actually works. It's also a great work out and social experience, if that appeals at all. Most other things which brand themselves as 'self defence' are so short sighted and prescriptive that they will never work in the real world.
On 20 Nov 2014 at 3:02pm Country Boy wrote:
Or maybe it is just a myth a la Ovingdean!
On 20 Nov 2014 at 10:48pm RAD wrote:
90% of self-defence has nothing to do with fighting skills, it's about awareness (white state, yellow state etc) and attitude. There is a risk that people who have taken a few classes or even trained for years have a confidence about their safety that can lead them into trouble. Parent is right it is never the victim's fault but the right awareness and attitude can prevent (or at least minimise the chance of) people becoming victims. In my experience very few martial arts classes offer practical self-defence.
On 26 Nov 2015 at 5:40am tonydimattes wrote:
Self defence nowadays is very much necessary for each and every women as they are safe nowhere. some pervert is waiting for them at every second road, but this fear should never take there independence away from them self defence help them to get protection from such people. Apart of self defence activities there are also some of the self defence items which can help ladies to protect them from any of the external harm. One can also look for them on-line using guard dog security which can help in providing the best products and thus guarantee the safety for ladies. 
Check it out here »
On 5 Aug 2016 at 8:36pm lewestrouser wrote:
Seems like a good club at The Landport Community Centre, Tuesday evening. their by-line is self confidence through self defence. They teach children, juniors and adults. Judo, Ju-Jitsu and general self defence. The teacher is a guy called Ray Twitchen who is an old timer with a considerable pedigree.
Check it out here »