As someone mentioned previously, you only need a few good moves to defend yourself effectively. You don't need to spend years studying and practicing (or practising). But before we get to that...
You can start by becoming aware of your surroundings: Who is around you and what they are doing. You can avoid trouble far more easily than you can stop it once it starts. Simply STAY AWAY from potentially dangerous situations. This means you may have to forget about your "rights" and err on the side of caution.
Second, if you are approached in a threatening manner or attacked, DO SOMETHING, anything. You don't have to be a skilled fighter to drive someone away. Just MAKE NOISE and MOVE. Make things as difficult as possible for your attacker. If you are afraid of causing a scene or of being wrong in your judgment, GET OVER THAT RIGHT NOW. Predators know how you think and feel, and they are very good at exploiting and manipulating your "secret" fears...
The above will take care of almost every potentially troublesome situation that you will ever encounter. If someone is truly bent on victimizing you, you will need a few good moves, but just a few; I suggest that you learn the most lethal. Kicking a man in the balls *might* work, but there are several more effective strategies that are easier. Please DO take a course in self-defense, but make sure it is aimed at teaching you the most in the least time.
As someone mentioned previously, you only need a few good moves to defend yourself effectively. You don't need to spend years studying and practicing (or practising). But before we get to that...
You can start by becoming aware of your surroundings: Who is around you and what they are doing. You can avoid trouble far more easily than you can stop it once it starts. Simply STAY AWAY from potentially dangerous situations. This means you may have to forget about your "rights" and err on the side of caution.
Second, if you are approached in a threatening manner or attacked, DO SOMETHING, anything. You don't have to be a skilled fighter to drive someone away. Just MAKE NOISE and MOVE. Make things as difficult as possible for your attacker. If you are afraid of causing a scene or of being wrong in your judgment, GET OVER THAT RIGHT NOW. Predators know how you think and feel, and they are very good at exploiting and manipulating your "secret" fears...
The above will take care of almost every potentially troublesome situation that you will ever encounter. If someone is truly bent on victimizing you, you will need a few good moves, but just a few; I suggest that you learn the most lethal. Kicking a man in the balls *might* work, but there are several more effective strategies that are easier. Please DO take a course in self-defense, but make sure it is aimed at teaching you the most in the least time.