Control and Exhaust the Target

“Panic causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily assess the situation and see the options.” - Simon Sinek

In this series, we’ve been talking about the four phases of an attack from a stranger. First was to “identify an unsuspecting target”. Second was to “subdue and isolate the target”. The third phase is to “control and exhaust the target”. Phase 3 begins after the predator has subdued and isolated the target. 

The predator will try to physically and mentally exhaust the target by pinning her down or striking her. He knows he can’t continue to carry out the attack until he has broken her will and she has given up. In this phase there are several things we can do to escape the predator. 

First is to remain calm. If we can remain calm, we will be able to see the possibilities of escape. The predator is hoping that we will use all of our energy by wildly trying to escape. 

Second, we learn techniques in the Women Empowered Program that use leverage and very little energy. These techniques also require the predator to expend a lot of energy to keep their control. By mastering these techniques, we are able to have confidence so we can remain calm and reserve our energy.  Now we are able to tire them out, while keeping ourselves safe, and ready to escape when the opportunity presents itself.