Self-defense for Females in Singapore
According to the Singapore Police Force, stun guns, pepper sprays, airsoft guns, paintball guns, and any such device which can cause danger and harm to others, may not be possessed by any individual in Singapore, and such possession is illegal. From various other sources, I also discover tasers, maces, BB guns and many other self-defense tools that are used in other countries to be illegal in Singapore.
This brings me to ask, then, what can girls use for self-defense in Singapore?
In the past one year only, I have been: robbed, molested, and harassed by men of ages 20 to 40 (an approximate), simply because I look defenseless and vulnerable. And which girl does not look defenseless unless she is of big build and muscled?
Tonight, I was walking home from the MRT station at about 10pm, when, at my void deck, I was accosted by a man of approximately 40 years of age. He said in Mandarin, “Miss, miss, are you going home? Where do you live?” and when I ignored him and walked past him, he grabbed my arm.
Shocked, I stood rooted for a moment, and then tried to get away. He tightened his grip on my arm. Because of the awkward positioning of our bodies, I could not use my knee (you know, the usual defense tactic – bringing up your knee to kick him in the crotch), so instead, I kicked his leg using the leg I had nearest to him, and I suppose my high-heeled shoes hurt him when the pointy heel dug into his thigh. He loosened his grip, and I got away, leaving him to laugh maniacally behind me.
Lodging a police report will likely yield nothing (in fact, I made a police report when I was robbed, but no suspects were even caught), and what little I remember from my self-defense Aikido classes back in NTU is is not going to help much if the perpetrators are persistent and have more violent streaks in them than those that I have encountered thus far. Yes, I can use those killer stilettos that I perpetually have on, to attack the violator, provided I can get them off soon enough. But what else can I do if I happen to be wearing flats or kitten heels the next time this happens?
The Singapore Police Force themselves have put out banners and posters for their Crime Awareness outreach / campaign whose tagline reads “Low crime rate does not mean no crime!”
I think it is time that we take this campaign a step further, and admit to ourselves not only the fact that crime does exist in Singapore, but also to slacken the laws on possession of self-defense tools for the purpose of self-defense!
Yes, I’ve heard of Community Safety and Security Programme (CSSP) and the Citizens on Surveillance (COS) initiative. But what good are these to me, when in fact, I do not see any one sitting at void decks looking out for me at all? What good are these programmes and initiatives with fancy names when you are already being violated, attacked, harassed and when you are already a victim of crime ?
I personally feel that possession of a weapon would greatly help girls. I know the argument that if a person can own such an item for self-defense, so can anyone else, for the purpose of attacking others. But what else do you propose we do, for self-protection?
How feasible or practical are the guidelines (for self-protection) of:
- Not going out at night (sure, you might as well impose an 8pm curfew for all women)
- Always ensuring that you do not walk alone (and every woman is to hire a bodyguard?)
- Using self-defense tactics (and in the event that they are well-built and resist your attacks?)
- Blowing a whistle (how many of you would think anything of it, if you hear a whistle go off?)
I really hope that someone out there will listen, and start a movement towards legalizing the possession of weapons that women can use for self-defense and deterrence of perpetrators of crime against women. Because God knows, that in this sick sick sick sick world, we women need a way to ensure that we do not fall prey to sick sick sick sick men.
I’ll bet those people who made it illegal for us to own weapons for self-defense are men, and men who have never had their girlfriends, wives, sisters, daughters or mothers attacked by sick sick sick sick men.
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I completely support what you are saying. I think you should just carry a pepper spray regardless of what the police says. I bet those sicko molesters won’t have the guts to report their “eye injury” to the police!
You can get SureFire’s E2 Defender flashlight. It is a very powerful flashlight — powerful enough to stun your attacker with it’s beam. Then, you can use either of the crenellated ends of the flashlight to strike your attacker at a vulnerable point (the temple or windpipe is usually really good).
It is available locally at John 3:16, 5th floor of Funan Center. Alternatively, you can order it directly from SureFire.
More info.
Take care.
What can girls use for self-defense?
A hockey stick. Hahahah..
Or other sporting equipment such as tennis rackets, baseball bats etc.
I always find it somewhat reassuring when I hold a hockey stick in my hand as I walk home from a game. I have a stick bag to carry it, but I sometimes take it out of my bag in case anyone has any ideas.
I once even brought along my hockey stick at night on purpose eventhough I wasn’t coming from/going to any game!
But of course, my advice is useless. Who the blip is gonna bring a big stick/racket along on a night out?! lol.
Hi Daphne,
Firstly, I congratulate you for effectively managing the confrontation! That is a good example of self defense grounded in reality.
With regards to the carrying of weapons, while i agree that there may be value in possessing the weapons, it may not necessarily elevate ones readiness to use it. Fundamentally, one would have to be psychologically in control before the use of these tools can be effective. In the case of pepper spray for example, there have been many cases whereby the nozzle was pointed in the wrong direction (in the heat of the moment, you cannot possibly tell the Bad Guy to wait while you point the nozzle at him). Additionally in the heat of the moment your ability to access the tools in your handbag, may be less than optimal. It is also about practicality (kind of what Dora was alluding to )
If one seeks to improve survivability in confrontational circumstance, the training must look at holistically enhancing the emotional and psychological awareness. The physical aspects of managing the confrontation must be based upon physiology and behavioral responses. You have shown the qualities of the above, where you instead of employing the “knee”, modified according to circumstance, which creates now a blueprint in your mind.
This bring another dimension to carrying of weapons, if you have never thought, planned, learnt to use the items in the right context, it may serves just as a false sense of confidence, rather than an equalizer.
So in summary, for self defense for Females in Singapore…
It is about first accepting that there are risks even in a safe country like Singapore.
Next doing something about it. Example enrolling in a self defense program that is realistic and universal.
Next the program must be holistic in enhancing the emotional, psychological and physical capabilities,
Stay Safe everyone.
Sincerely,
CADRE International
heels can be a very useful weapon for woman. It’s not really safe in Singapore compare years before with more perverts around the globe >.<
Wow this is something new about Singapore for me. I thought Singapore is perfectly a safe place to live. My aunts always said that it is very safe in Singapore, even we don’t need to worry to go out over 9 PM. Well after reading your article, I think my aunts might have wrong perception.
No matter where the place is, there’s always harassment against women. I think I’d better take my self-defense lesson again or maybe I could just wear extremely sharp and pointy high heels.
Phew.
hi! it is truly a deep regret to find that although singapore is a relatively safe place, there are still such issues we have to live with. I suppose the only things we can do is to learn some effective Personal Protection skills. I came across this site and this company which utilises the human body’s natural reactions and biomechanics during a hostile situation. (fear, increase heart rates, adrenaline etc. causes people to freeze and choke during real events) I think is http://www.idact.sg, check it out! they also have a division specialising in research in such areas. but i think their website having some minor upgrades though, so some info cant see. mail them will work i guess.
Well the thought of having a weapon for females might be a good idea, but what if the person handaling the weapon is not in perfect mental shape, and without proper training?
I suggest learning a self-defence martial art and mastering it, as it proves usefull. If Akido does not work, I suggest Russian Sambo.
yes, i do agree with you wholeheartedly on laxing the laws for the purpose of self-defense for females in singapore. in fact, the gf works at a pub primarily patronised by caucasians. i don’t want to sound racist here or anything, but there have been times she was harassed, etc. by the patrons, and some of them were regulars.
and i always ask her to be careful on her way home and to inform me when she reaches home safely. and she sometimes say i think too much. with rising crime rates (in certain types of crime) and more cases of murder and the like, i don’t think it was over-reacting on my part.
probably i should show her this article and hope something would dawn upon her.
she really should be careful. her coming home late every night may cause her to fall prey to predators who watch her movements every night. girls should not take the same route home every night if they work late. vary the route and try to carry a weapon or something that can be used as a weapon in your bag, so that it’s a deterrence. carrying an umbrella often works.
Interesting and valid points you made regarding weapons for self-defence, but I think more needs to be done to change female mentality in Singapore as well. Many of the girls in my self-defence class simply don’t take the violence and aggression of a real life assault seriously. Which makes me wonder the point and purpose of taking such a class.
But aside from that, there are a lot of daily items that can be used creatively for self-defence. The most common are umbrellas (even short ones) and water bottles. With a little bit of training, they can be used for stunning effect to buy time for a getaway.
this stupid government is truly blind, they do not see how many molesters, freaks or watsoever are wandering ard. ppl shd be able to possess firearms, believe me it will solve millions of domestic issues
i hate to say tt while i was living in spore, i was irritated by those freaky mid age males, if your government continue doing nothing abt this, the image of spore is gonna fall
fu*ck the law, just hide a knife, dagger ..whatever u like when u go out at nite, the cops here are a fuc*king waste of tax $$
Long ago, there used to be registration for people who reached a certain level of experience and skill in martial arts where if they got involved in a fight, it would be assualt with weapon if I am not wrong.
Perhaps the same move for self defence items can be made. In order to obtain the weapon, you need registration, therefore this will exercise the first level of responsibility of using such an item. The next thing, is the criteria for registration, they must assess your crinimal record, reason for having the item and that you must go for a course on how to use the item and also a class on responsible use of the item. But there is still so much to think about before the move is even passed.
Remember all self defence items can kill, the human body is fragile, and depending on your assailant’s health condition, you might end up killing the guy from the shock he receives from pain etc. Without the knowledge to weild the weapon, you could hurt yourself, or even kill the assailant.
-nawk
Hi, do you know where to buy some safety protection items for self defense. My 2 nieces juz got attacked last sat 25 april by a same small built 15 yrs old Malay boy wearing songkok in Woodland blk 818 lift during the daytime after school 3.30pm. He took the same lift with my small neice and standing behind, suddenly he grabbed and kiss her. My neice fought with him, he slapped her back. The lift opened and she ran up and down, the boy chased her everywhere. Her elder sister 18 yrs also got attacked by the same cracko hugged her legs when she came back from work late nite. My brother had reported the police and not sure what action will they takes.
So worry for girls that takes lifts and it so quiet for some HDB flats and no one can hear your scream. But nowadays girls are too lazy to carry umbrellas. So any suggestion to buy some protective items…..
susan
Well, if you really need a weapon – a pen is good enough. Can use it to stab vital points of the aggressor. =) Check this out :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubotan
Self-defence weapon…use a flashlight as a melee weapon, strike fast and hard. In self-defence, anything goes. This is what i have learned…even although i have never seen a assault yet…
Hihi all,
Totally agree with possession of self defense device in singapore. Can’t understand why singapore ban Pepper Spray too? If they are saying that stun gun or other devices would cause other criminals to commit crime via the device, but pepper spray would not do much harm after all.
Secondly, if we were to always carry hockey stick, umbrella on our hands to protect ourselves, what if the attacker use it back on us? Would not it be much more worst?
So i believe, Singapore’s Police Force should be much more aggressive in fulfilling the duty of protecting the females in singapore.
No use that after the incident then they start to look for the criminals as all this are too late.
I think it may be good to have a self defence class for females. Stuff that will work, not just some crappy martial arts moves.
Personally I feel taking up martial arts for women isn’t really effective, considering an encounter with a far larger-sized assailant.
I’m sorry to hear about your assault. While some may think what the man did was just a minor thing, an assault is still an assault. My gf is a victim of sexual assault while traveling overseas and although she’s ok now, I am aware now of the vulnerabilities women faced in their everyday life.
Godspeed and I can only hope that the police, public, keep our women safe in Singapore.
Interesting how aikido teaches and drills hoe to get away from hand/arm grips. I suppose if one does not continue to practice it, thinking Singapore is safe, then it’s hardly fair to say aikido does not really work, which some comments indicated. Personally, I take my safety and self defence as my own responsibility and do not expect anyone to help. Singaporeans are pragmatic bunch, so let’s jus do what we can while we appeal for the law to be revised. However do note that your weapons can also be used against you if you don’t know how to use it well. So it is really up to the person in the end. That is why I got my girlfriend to practice wing Chun with me, as I can’t protect her 24/7.
oh my god, my sentiments exactly!
Safety for women everywhere is needed, Very well said you have taken us to a whole different side of self defense. Pepper Spray and any weapon a woman can find in her bag is used. I think it’s funny that if you used hairspray on your attacker nothing would happen but if you used pepper spray you could find yourself in trouble with the law. I would take my chances and use the pepper spray with dye and a pepper spray ring so you will take him by surprise.
i strongly agree with u! i don’t understand why s’pore ban pepper spray! i stay in jurong area. there are lots of foreign workers around my place. they like to ‘picnic’ near the hdb flats. they drink and sometimes fight among themselves or with others. there was once i saw them fighting and ppl around quickily called the police. but police took more than 10min to come. if these workers did anything to us (especially ladies) and we do not have any self defense device such as pepper spray, we could be the victim before the police come. i really hope this law (ban of pepper spray) can be revised.
Hi Lynn, I’d just like to point out that sex crimes can be committed by ANYONE of ANY nationality, so there is really no need to single out ‘foreign workers’.
Actually a lot of them are pretty nice people – the ones working in my area are polite, smiley people who even greet us good morning if they see residents in the morning.
Hi,
Sorry to hear of your plight (and more than a year late too). Glad that you got out of it without too much harm. I don’t have the solution to your problem, but just wanna leave some comments….
The problem with legalising these self-defence weapons is that we’ll have molesters, rapists, robbers, etc all carrying weapons around legally!
Besides, its unlikely that you will be able to pull out the weapon from your bag or pocket in time (as in your case). Whereas, the attacker who takes you by surprise will probably already have a weapon in his hand as he approaches you.
If you are wearing flats, it’ll still hurt your attacker if you kicked his shin. But lets say that it is not possible, then stomping on his foot will be equally painful for him. Kicking the side of the knee is also known to be effective.
To make him loosen his grip, an effective method is to distract his senses by driving your fingertips towards his eyes (not to blind him, but just to distract). Most people would automatically have the natural reflex of dropping everything and flinching. Scratching his hand and hair-pulling can be quite effective too. Just be careful not to overdo it, as he would probably react by becoming more violent, either out of anger or panic.
Shouting like hell is good too. These sickos thrive on secrecy and discretion. Once a commotion begins, they know that their priority is to get away quickly before too many witnesses arrive (even if no witnesses actually arrive).
If I had to recommend a martial art, I feel that any form of wrestling or no-gi jiujitsu would be most useful. The problem with striking arts (eg. boxing, etc) is that you’ll be playing a punching game with someone stronger and bigger (so he has longer reach, with superior position since he’s the one assaulting you, usually not from the front). Besides, its not recommended to punch anything bare-fisted….broken hands are very painful and can make you lose your productivity (ie. lose your job).
It is important to realise that street confrontations are very different from sports martial arts. On the streets, the main aim is to distract or shock (maybe disable temporarily), then run away. Most martial arts, as they are practised today, may not work well on the streets.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4852575_homemade-pepper-spray.html
thought you might like to know how to make your own pepper spray. read another article tt says you can use chili padi too. lasts about 2 weeks.
thanks for the tip, adrian! i’ll definitely check it out and try it!
As much as this must have come too late, there are self defense courses co-ordinated by AWARE Singapore, or U can try googling Kapap.
Thanks for the info, Daphne, you saved me the hunt. I’m shocked to hear you encountered something of the sort in Singapore. I was intending to buy it for my travels elsewhere, but after reading about your experience, I sure need to be on my vigil.
Shivya recently blogged… 5 years on- Singapore still surprises me
A key-chain self-defense alarm device should be allowed in Singapore.
I think atleast a pepper spray should be allowed. It’s unfair on the girls to not be able to defend themselves. However, I disagree that weapons should be allowed coz then it’ll spawn an arms race
Singapore recently blogged… SMRT
Here’s food for thought. A hypothetical situation where pepper sprays actually are legal:
The same man who accosted you that night gets his hands on one, and uses it to blind and immobilize you while he gets away with your purse or does other unsavory things to your person.
And now for more practical advice:
Guy grabs you by the arm. Rotate your body sharply in the direction of the arm being grabbed, simultaneously extending your free hand to his throat/nose or eyes.
You’re on your way home. It would be reasonable for me to assume you have your keys in hand. Two or three keys arrange in array make a pretty good stabbing/slashing/scratching weapon.
Combine the above two things and you have a very messy situation for the guy. Legalise pepper spray, and people might very well use it to ironically commit crime.
… heheh … I just had a funny thought … a pepper spray duel …
“Proceed to position. Bow to instructor. Bow to each other. And… FIGHT!”
“Yarggh!”
“Oww! Ssss.. Yarggh!”
“Oww! Sss… ooh you got me good.”
I think it’s okay to have maces or pepper-spray in your bags at all times. what are the chances of you getting a spot-check by the police? even if you are caught with these protective device, would they charge you? most probably not. so the chance of being penalized is slim as it goes down the chain. if i were a lady, i would definitely carry one as it really helps in times of danger… and these devices are easy to get.
be safe yourself as our singapore police could be quite disoriented and deficient at times..
just found this web, as I tried to find “pepper spray singapore”. just now at 10.30pm, somebody was following me home, so close behind. so I didn’t dare to go to my block directly.
I pretended to go to the block at the left side, and suddenly turned around to the right block, walked around 2 times, then headed back to the street. he still followed behind.
so I stopped next to the couple who were sitting at the void deck, and called my homeowner to come down and pick me up. the man walked pass by.
Use a small squirt bottle filled with bleach and soap water. Squirt it into the attackers eyes. It should allow you to get away.
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Daphne Maia
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