Welcome to Self Defense for Women NOW! with Liza Cooper
By Liza Cooper | October 4, 2009
My name is Liza Cooper and I teach women I teach women practical self defense strategies and tips to help us get in touch with our power.
Even though we live in a dangerous world, I believe that women have a right to safety and personal security. No woman or girl deserves to be victimized. Ever! And every woman and girl has the right to fight back.
I became interested in this subject because I, like so many women, have experienced violence and I didn’t want to be a victim.
Self defense for women is so much more than knowing how to administer a good groin kick. In fact the most effective self defense techniques have nothing to do with fighting at all – they are about preventing attacks in the first place by preventing you from getting into harm’s way.
I want to share what I’ve learned and the best advice out there. Thanks for being here. I invite you to follow me on Twitter–I go by NoNonsenseLiza–and I invite you to comment on any post that resonates with you and share your experiences here.
And most of all, I wish you safety and the freedom from to live the fullest life possible.
Topics: Self defense for women | 1 Comment »
4 NJ Assemblywomen Propose 5 Bills to Curb Domestic Violence
By Liza Cooper | January 5, 2010
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that 1.3 million women experience physical assault by an intimate partner each year.
This statistic disturbed four New Jersey assemblywomen who banded together to create a package of bills designed to lower that number according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Among their proposals are provisions to impose greater penalties on perpetrators, a pilot program to increase monitoring of convicted offenders, and creating a self-defense justification for domestic violence victims. One effect would be to make evidence surrounding a restraining order admissible in court to help determine whether the use of force for self protection was justified.
Topics: domestic violence | No Comments »
Philadelphia Police Address Sharp Rise in Domestic Violence
By Liza Cooper | December 30, 2009
Domestic violence murder is up in Philadelphia, just as it is in the rest of the nation. The rise is counter to the overall drop in Philly homicides. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Police Department is formulating a new directive and it will include steps such as requiring each police district to keep a database on domestic calls. The information will be provided to the responding officers.
Up until now, officers would respond to a domestic violence call and not know if it was a first time occurrence or if the household had an ongoing history of domestic violence or a restraining order was in force.
The hope is that by arming responding officers with this background they will calibrate their responses accordingly.
Topics: Murder, domestic violence | No Comments »
Happy Holidays
By Liza Cooper | December 24, 2009
To all of you who have taken the time to read and follow me on this blog, I wish you Happy and Safe Holidays!
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Polanski Update
By Liza Cooper | December 22, 2009
Roman Polanski, under house arrest at his chalet in Switzerland lost his appeal to have his case dismissed. The California 2nd District Court of Appeal announced Monday it had denied the petition.
Polanski became a fugitive after he fled the country following his conviction on charges of having unlawful sex with a minor after raping a 13 year-old girl in 1977.
Currently Swiss authorities are planning to make a decision about his extradition to Los Angeles in 2010.
Topics: Roman Polanski | No Comments »
Women’s Self Defense – Can Fighting Be Taught in a Book?
By Liza Cooper | December 7, 2009
A recent customer was unhappy with my book. He had bought it for his mother and he was disappointed that it was not chock full of pictures and illustrations.
He was looking for a book of techniques for one-to-one fighting.
And he was right. He was in the wrong place, because my book does not get into fancy karate moves.
In my experience and research, the vast majority of violent situations can be avoided by following the advice in my book. The suggestions are easy to follow and require no physical strength–a benefit for women who may be frail or disabled.
Nonetheless, I agree that it is good for women to know fighting techniques when they are forced into physical confrontation. But I question how well a book can teach it. It’s not that there aren’t excellent books out there that show all manner of fancy fighting technique–and I can steer you towards some if that is what you want.
But fighting moves have to get into your bones. That is, you have to be so familiar with them that they become second nature. In actual physical confrontation, events move at lightning fast speed. By the time you’ve racked your brain for the next move, the fight is over.
Video is a little better, but what you really need to do if you want to learn fighting techniques is to practice under controlled conditions–in other words, take self defense classes.
In a self defense or a martial arts class, you’ll get the experience of kicking and punching. That can be a novel experience if, like many women, you were brought up to be ‘nice.’ Before enrolling and plunking down your hard-earned money, look to see what the school is teaching.
Elegant moves may be impressive, but if your purpose is defending yourself in a physical altercation, then you want the learning to focus on quick, simple, effective techniques.
Learning fighting techniques is good. But your first strategy for women’s self defense should always be prevention.
Topics: Self defense for women, crime prevention | No Comments »
Consider Giving a Helping Hand to Your Local Shelter This Holiday Season
By Liza Cooper | December 7, 2009
Monica Yant Kinney asks us to remember domestic violence survivors when considering our holiday giving.
To escape domestic violence can mean leaving your life behind. Often women flee to a shelter with little more than the clothes on their backs. According to Stephanie Price of Women Against Abuse, a shelter in the metro Philadelphia area, women have called her after being beaten and injured–even after locking themselves in a bathroom as the batterer tries to break down the door.
That means, after having shed their possessions to save their lives, they don’t have money to buy basics we take for granted. At holiday time, the women are unable to buy their children gifts for Christmas something that is very difficult for many.
The recession has only increased the pressure on shelters–the numbers of women seeking help has increased while funding has fallen. In Philadelphia, homicides related to domestic violence for the months of January through November number 36 compared to 21 for the same period last year.
Shelters look for monetary donations, gift-cards, especially for groceries and big-box retailers, and some look for in-kind donations.
Topics: domestic violence | No Comments »
Women’s Self Defense: 5 Tips to Getting Your Car Ready for Winter
By Liza Cooper | December 4, 2009
Winter is coming. According to the weather forecasts, we may see our first snow tomorrow. Proper car maintenance is important for many reasons, not the least that a properly functioning car can keep you safe even when the weather gets nasty or get you out of a dangerous environment.
Soooo, is your car up to it?
Have you had it checked lately? Some items to check:
• Cold weather puts a strain on car batteries. The one you have may work perfectly well in balmy temps, but what about times when the mercury dips below freezing?
• Are there any cracks in your hoses or your belts that could cause a breakdown at an inopportune time? As if there ever were a good time to break down?
• What about the tires? Are they showing excessive wear or uneven wear? You’ll want to replace them if the former is true and if the latter, you may need a realignment.
• And, of course, there is the antifreeze and other fluids. The oil should be changed every 3,000 miles in severe weather. Top off other fluids if necessary.
• When venturing out, make sure your cell phone is charged up and with you. And that your AAA or motor club membership is current. If you do get stuck, you want to make sure you can get help.
The periodic trek to a trusted service station or a self check if you can do it yourself can save you from a lot of grief and inconvenience. Which you don’t need when it is freezing and the wind is whipping.
Topics: Self defense for women, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Disney Princesses and Real Girls
By Liza Cooper | December 1, 2009
Disney fairy tales of princesses are standard fare for girls of today and even my generation. But the princess phenomenon has never been more popular among young girls.
Popular Disney fairy tales had their roots in stories handed down by the brothers Grimm. Many of the Grimm versions contained dark and gruesome aspects. These were sanitized by Disney and put into a standard format: a sad beginning, a mean, older female villain, and then a handsome prince saves the day and the tale ends happily ever after.
The recurring theme of the virtuous princess awaiting rescue by the prince is part of the socialization that works against girls’ and women’s ability to take charge of their well-being and fight back against predators. I’m not suggesting that parents prevent their daughters from being exposed to Disney–not only would that be nearly impossible, but the stories can provide a teachable moment.
The truth is that there are a myriad of cultural influences that girls are exposed to that work against their autonomy and self worth. But a parent can do much to inoculate his or her daughter against the harm by being a positive role model and pointing out alternatives.
Because self defense for women strategies for women start in the mind.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Black Friday and Car Safety
By Liza Cooper | November 27, 2009
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
If you are like many people I know, you are eagerly scanning the newspaper for great Black Friday deals.
Know that if you are headed out to the mall, that predators are out scanning you to see if you and your purse are easy pickings. Heavy crowds and traffic work in their favor.
While you track down the delicious bargains, are you paying attention to your surroundings? Are you keeping an eye on your purse and holding it securely? Are you carrying lots of heavy packages? Did you lock your car before making the hike to the mall entrance from the nether reaches of the huge parking lot where your car is parked?
Before you set foot outside, read my article Self Defense and Women – 12 Tips for Personal Safety
Topics: Crime, purse snatching | No Comments »
Roman Polanski Gets Bail
By Liza Cooper | November 25, 2009
Roman Polanski’s saga takes a surprising turn when Swiss authorities granted his request for bail. He had been arrested on an outstanding warrant for fleeing the US subsequent to his sentencing for the rape of a 13 year-old in 1977.
The granting of the request came as a surprise to Swiss legal experts and US authorities. He will be subject to house arrest where he will be confined to his chalet in the exclusive winter resort of Gstaad. According to the AP, Polanski offered up a bank guarantee and the threat of forfeiting his family’s home.
Stay tuned.
Topics: Roman Polanski, rape | No Comments »