Self defence for the smaller woman.

1) Keep your nails short. Scratching with long nails just breaks your nails. Go for fleshy bits that will show and will stick under your nails for DNA testing if the worst should happen.

2) Kick the knee and run the edge of your foot down the shin as hard as you can, stamping on the foot at the end.. . it's unbeleivably painful and very offputting. You may be able to unbalance an attacker by kicking just underneath the kneecap.

3) Don't wear a scarf tied around your neck, particularly in the ends through a loop style - it just makes a noose with one easy handhold. At least looping it around your neck means two hands are needed to pull it.

4) Thumb in the eyesocket will take an attackers mind off most things.

5) If a hand is put over your mouth, stick your tongue out and lick it - makes it slippery and easier to slide out, and if you're lucky, the attacker will instinctively pull his hand away to wipe it.

6) If in a hold, drop your centre of gravity by suddenly bending your knees. An attacker might be put off by the sudden weight and be unbalanced. You will then have your knees bent ready to push upwards again and unbalance them further.

7) If held from behind, drop your centre of gravity as above but as you bend, lean forwards. That should pull any attacker with you and you can then push upwards as above and with any luck hit him in the face with the back of your head.

The aim is to get away, not get even. If you can't get away, make as much noise as you can and get as much evidence as you can... pull hair, scratch hands and cheeks.

I hope you never have to use it.

LTS