Self-defence technique taught at Thai schools to enable girls to fight off sexual harassers

[webfact]

Self-defence technique taught at schools to enable girls to counter sexual harassers



BANGKOK: -- In wake of rising sexual harassment crime cases against teenagers, in particular during the Valentine's Day, the Royal Thai Police now have set up a special team dubbed "Kong Roi Nam Wan" to train how girls can help to defend themselves from sexual harassers.

According to TNA, Under the campaign, female police officers from the female police crowd-control unit or Kong Roi Nam Wan or Sweet Company will be sent to secondary schools to teach self-defence techniques and how they can survive sexual harassers.

The campaign is part of the Royal Thai Police to reduce sexual harassment cases on the Valentine’s Day.

Female police officers teach students how they can help to escape from arm-lock, back-lock and physical attack with intent to rape.

One police trainer said the lessons focus on how to quickly counter attack the opponent.

But she said the most important survival tip against an attack is calmness.

Unit commander Kanpanus Watcharakan advised that the most important technique is calmness.

“You must stay calm to deal with the situation you are in and then learn weaknesses of your opponent. You then need to know hand-to-hand self-defence techniques to help you escape from an attack.

Statistics released by the Royal Thai Police showed nearly 3,000 sexual harassment cases against women last year.

Significantly, during the Valentines’ Day period from February 11-15 alone, there were some 46 sexual harassment cases in which young girls were victims in most cases.

With the rising sexual harassment, the campaign was launched to help reduce crimes on the Day of Love.

Now the Royal Thai Police have instructed all police station nationwide to beef up inspections and patrols on risky areas in which crimes and sexual harassment tend to occur such as public park, dormitory, apartment and short-time motel.

It has also asked hotel operators to prohibit people aged under 18 years to use their services.

The Royal Thai Police deputy commissioner Pol Gen Ruangsak Jarit-ek said as the Valentine’s Day is just two days away so it is time for us to fully accelerate inspections and efforts to prevent crimes.

He admitted that he was concerned about problems that might occur on and after the Valentine’s Day such as sexual harassment and teenage pregnancy.

Thus would help young people to know how to prevent themselves from all kind of threats, he added.

(Pic : tnamcot.com)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/self-defence-technique-taught-schools-enable-girls-counter-sexual-harassers


-- Thai PBS 2015-02-12

[Mango Bob]

Best defense is kick him in the balls.

[jaltsc]

"The campaign is part of the Royal Thai Police to reduce sexual harassment cases on the Valentine’s Day."

How about apprehending, prosecuting, sentencing and imprisoning the perpetrators who commit these crimes....Regardless of their family and political connections?

Then, start teaching, beginning in the earliest school grades, respect and the proper behaviors expected from responsible males, and which behaviors and acts women should not accept.

However, with all the role models who abuse and exploit women with the blessings of the existing culture, it is going to be a hard row to hoe.

Edited February 12, 2015 by jaltsc

[MrWorldwide]

Best defense is kick him in the balls.

that's the homework assignment.

[toybits]

Should have invited Lorena Bobbitt for that... Hmmmm, Maybe Next Year....

[bushmill]

It's every year the same. The whole year sex don't exist. And the 2 days before Valentine's Day training the girls selfdefence . A bit late but better than nothing.

Edited February 12, 2015 by bushmill

[Commerce]

If that's a female instructor in the photo then she'd certainly not have problems being assaulted by men, unless the likes of Oscar Wilde etc.

[lildragon]

Best defense is kick him in the balls.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Aim for the <deleted> ladies, hit him swift and hard and he'll be down crying like a baby.

[Briggsy]

Perpetuating the myth that sexual assaults occur when strangers grab girls in the street. The vast majority of sexual assaults occur when the attacker is known to the victim and uses a position of authority or implied authority through demanding the victim's trust to carry out the abuse. This course looks to have been designed by a bloke who has only a distorted and guesswork-like knowledge of this type of crime.

[Somtamnication]

I hope it includes self defence against a teacher who would lose face and charge the girl with defamation? Just askin'.

[Loles]

So, this is a great idea, but with out any practice, only look the show on stage, this is Zero, and can't help at all.

The shelf-defense's kernel the practice, practice and practice.

[binjalin]

Of course sexual harassment is ugly and wrong but I do wonder if some of these girls might be putting themselves in more danger

The answer is sex education, allow sex shops, allow online porn, allow condom machines where necessary you cannot CONTROL nature!!! and any sexual harassment the Police need to deal with it forcefully and immediately

[jvs]

I know for a fact that a lot of these cases are not even being reported,it does not take a genius to figure out why not.

When i was a lot younger i used to teach self defence on a daily basis and the most important fact is not knowing what to do but to be willing to use the things you know.

Too many girls are scared to hurt their opponent,once you can convince them it is him or you the biggest problem is solved.

[PatOngo]

Of course sexual harassment is ugly and wrong but I do wonder if some of these girls might be putting themselves in more danger

The answer is sex education, allow sex shops, allow online porn, allow condom machines where necessary you cannot CONTROL nature!!! and any sexual harassment the Police need to deal with it forcefully and immediately

Thainess does not permit such debauchery.

[rabid old goat]

judging by the amount of videos on sanook, the girls are more likely to be beaten up by butch fat dykes

[catweazle]

As if this would be of help to the many brain dead Thai girlies who open their legs voluntarily to any "Yaa Baa" addicted Thai "Wai Loon" dimwit who manages to do a wheelie on his stupid Honda Click

Edited February 12, 2015 by catweazle

[Lupatria]

...nearly 3,000 (registered) sexual harassment cases against women last year.

Now let the massacre begin!

[Mot Dang]

My wife and I were catching a crowded bus from Siam Sq. down to Soi 24 on Sukhumvit. We became separated on the bus by the changing number of passengers. A dreary looking skinny sod started pressing against her back-side getting his thrill. She turned lifted her knee and lifted him off his feet. The sea of people on the bus just parted like the Red Sea as I yelled and stormed towards him. I helped him off the bus with my boot.

Most assaults on Thai women are from people she knows, and in particular so-called boy friends on the piss. Without mentioning falang, bars and bar workers, I cannot help to think if some of these attacks stem from a social acceptance of gigs, mia nois and so-called f*** buddies.

But it is a great idea to promote self defense to young women. 30 years ago it was common practice to see students learning martial arts in the school grounds. I don't know why that died out.

Edited February 12, 2015 by Mot Dang

[micmichd]

In Germany they teach girls in emergency cases to cry "Fire!" not "Help"

Because you never get help if you need it, but bystanders are curious about fire.

[Fatty123]

Have you noticed that the Thai press are now claiming a western tradition is now the main cause of teenage pregnancies and sexual assualts? Is that three articles now about 'Valentine' being the main cause of Thai teens' problems, some very serious.

Like Thailand never had such things before 'Valentine'. Blame the farang again, eh? What next, Father Christmas gives you aids?

Xenophobia. Valentine's Day in the west is linked to romance, and on the whole couples already in a relationship. I've never linked Valentine's Day and rape together.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I'm Ted Bundy

Do you like my hammer?

[Godders]

Teaching martial arts to schoolgirls is not the answer Thailand's rape and violence culture. This is sticking-plaster thinking and will have a very limited impact in reducing the thousands of sexual assaults carried out against females every year.

With the number of reported rates now running at one every five minutes and the real figure believed to be at least twice this number, lessons of a different kind are clearly needed from parents as well as teachers.

Young boys should to be taught from their earliest years to respect the opposite sex and treat them as different but equal. This kind of education begins at home, but all too often mair and paw mirror the stereotypes of macho husband and submissive wife. A school curriculum with regular lessons of human relationships, love and child-raising would almost certainly achieve more dramatic and lasting results than instruction on how to fight off a potential rapist.

If ever there was a case for the government rolling out an "attitude adjustment" programme on a nation-wide basis, this is it. But is this likely when the rulers are drawn largely from the ultra-macho military supported by a Buddhist establishment which seems content to practice a version of the religion which blatantly discriminates against women?

[car720]

If that's a female instructor in the photo then she'd certainly not have problems being assaulted by men, unless the likes of Oscar Wilde etc.

and in the meantime all the girls are thinking.............."I wonder if this training will help me to find a rich one? Is this the way that I hold him so that he doesn't get away? I wonder what hold I will need for an expensive restaurant?"

[car720]

As if this would be of help to the many brain dead Thai girlies who open their legs voluntarily to any "Yaa Baa" addicted Thai "Wai Loon" dimwit who manages to do a wheelie on his stupid Honda Click

If brains were dynamite they wouldn't have enough to blow the wax out of their ears.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

I am all for teaching people self defense but why not direct more energy first o fall at the place and get them to do their jobs as they typically treat a rape victim in Thailand as the criminal and the rapist gets away with a slap on the wrist.

There is no accountability in Thailand for most any crime (except picking mushrooms in a national park).

Make an example of all criminals and publicize the hell out of it.

Enforcement, accountability and education.

[Nuddy]

Most of the girls wouldn't want a defence as far as I can see around here.!

[Thongkorn]

Maybe better to Educate men that Women are not there to be abused, maybe teach the men respect for other peoples dignity,

Edited February 12, 2015 by Thongkorn

[micmichd]

I don't know most of the girls around you, but there's one good thing in self-defence training: It makes you more self-assured, and this turns many potential rapers away. So, a girl might not even have to use her techniques, a short demonstration that she is able do so turns many away.

I can't tell if this is correct for Thailand, the school kids and girls I know are rather good in MuayThai anyway. The main problem is probably again alcohol which may make males feel stronger than they are.

[Mr Somtam]

Best defense is kick him in the balls.

That is called Krav Maga, Israeli martial art.

[Baerboxer]

Best defense is kick him in the balls.

That is called Krav Maga, Israeli martial art.

No it's not.

[Baerboxer]

I don't know most of the girls around you, but there's one good thing in self-defence training: It makes you more self-assured, and this turns many potential rapers away. So, a girl might not even have to use her techniques, a short demonstration that she is able do so turns many away.

I can't tell if this is correct for Thailand, the school kids and girls I know are rather good in MuayThai anyway. The main problem is probably again alcohol which may make males feel stronger than they are.

I agree with your comments. Self defense training helps self confidence. Studying, learning and practicing a martial art takes time, effort and continual practice. Learning some basic effective self defense techniques from a suitable teacher is as much about mind set as the actual technique. I taught basic self defense to groups of ladies in UK and India. Most were secretarial, teacher, professional, student types. Many flinched at the thought of doing certain things but when they understood that might be necessary to prevent a serious assault, rape, and possibly murder, they started seeing things differently.

My wife and her friends told me some stories which I think helps explain the attitudes here. As University students, if they accepted a request for a date, and went out somewhere with a boy, in his car, cinema or nice meal or whatever. the boy could well expect sex first time. If so, and the girl refused, many boys would not stop, especially as all his mates would expect to here the details next day. If this happened and they complained to the police the reaction would be along the lines of well, you went with him, what did you expect? They all new this so were very very careful about going out. Secondly a friend of my wife's was raped by her boss. Working late, he had a few drinks, got fresh and raped her. Rather than complain she simply accepted it and became his regular "bit at work". Seems crazy to us but whole different mentality with mia luang, mia noi, gigs, <deleted> buddies, casual freelancers etc etc.

Most Thai males I know really well, who I've been out with on boys only nights and dinners, after a few drinks will readily talk about women as purely objects for fun. Until this attitude changes, and women are respected then things won't change. Same in India where women are notoriously treated badly in public.

I agree - drugs and alcohol fuel a lot of this behavior. Not only do people think they are stronger and better, but their decision making becomes impaired and telling right from wrong more blurred.