We've all seen the news stories. They fill a good portion of the evening news and the daily papers - both online and in print. Dating, working, on vacation - no life situation seems to be safe from the possibility of attack.

Have you ever wondered...

What if the victims in many of these stories had properly prepared themselves for the eventuality of being attacked, because...

1. They recognized the existence of danger in the world...

2. They knew that, based on the shear numbers of incidents that...

...danger could, and probably might, touch them, and...

3. They took steps to insure that they would be a survivor instead of a victim who's story would be laid bare to the world, courtesy of the press...

What if even one story ended like this...

"...she remembers learning how to get out of this type of attack and [automatically] reaches up to grab and pull his arm away from her neck. What she finds though, is that she cannot even begin to budge it in the least.

"Taking the short stick-like key ring that she habitually carries in her hand when there might be a need, she begins delivering a barrage of stabbing and grinding attacks to her assailant's body. As she feels his grip loosen, she expands her counter-attack to include stamping heel kicks to his instep, smashing headbutt strikes to his face behind her head, and maybe even a well-placed elbow or two to his ribcage.

"She finds herself free as her assailant is sent reeling from the painful blows. She stands there in her defensive position, watching to see what his next move will be, her eyes burning with rage and indignation. Her very presence communicates to her would-be attacker that, "what he is feeling right now is the nicest thing that he will feel if he tries to touch her again!"

Can you see how the assailant's own perception would be suddenly different, because...

Seeing what was supposed to be his victim standing before him, obviously prepared to do more than he has already experienced, the assailant's intentions change. What began as a defensive, anger-response to his own pain and a desire for retaliation, has now, with the realization that his victim is no-such-thing, he decides that his own safety is more important than what he wanted from "this" particular target.

He decides to let her go. And, besides...

...he will be able to find another, easier, victim...

...soon enough.

This story illustrates a common occurrence - more common, in fact, than most of us ever begin to realize. It describes, in one form, what happens to would-be assailants every day, who choose the wrong target and are left with the realization that not everyone will play the role of the "victim."

Unfortunately, stories like this are usually never reported on by either the police or news people.

Why? Because they never even know about them. Because the intended victim handled things on their own and escaped safely, returning home to friends and family.

This article then, is a tribute to all those who have decided that, should something ever happen, they choose the outcome of this story to be theirs.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if even half of citizens were capable and prepared to defend themselves against danger? I for one can think of two types of people who would have to find new work...

...criminal attackers, and...

...reporters!