Hitting a female in self-defense

[sensei8]

Not that many, but there's a lot of evidence that statistically, it's difficult to convince a jury to convict a woman of anything violent no matter how airtight the case is. If it even goes to trial; as unreasonably difficult and distressing as it is for a woman to get people to take some of the attacks they are subjected to seriously, they have it much easier than guys trying to convince ANYONE who matters that they were victimized by a woman.

There are many women that are in prison because they were CONVICTED! Never underestimate your opponent...no matter the gender.

[sensei8]

If it truly is an issue of self-defense, then it must be dealt with regardless of the gender of the attacker.

However, JusticeZero does put some very good points out there.

As a LEO, and in your opinion...Are women capable of violence on a man?

If so, then in defending myself, I've no problem of doing it without any reservation.

[bushido_man96]

If it truly is an issue of self-defense, then it must be dealt with regardless of the gender of the attacker.

However, JusticeZero does put some very good points out there.

As a LEO, and in your opinion...Are women capable of violence on a man?

If so, then in defending myself, I've no problem of doing it without any reservation.

Sure they are. Self-defense is not gender-specific. However, that's where use of force comes into play, and observing the totality of the circumstances at hand.

[sensei8]

Force should be tailored and/or trimmed down if my attacker is a female?

[bushido_man96]

Force should be tailored and/or trimmed down if my attacker is a female?

No, I didn't say that. But, in any use of force situation, things have to be evaluated in their totality. For instance, the size of the attacker, are they armed, what is the nature of the threat, etc. All these things come into consideration.

[Nabil Kazama]

I don't care. If a crazed lunatic is going to attack me I would use any technique to stop him/her.

[sensei8]

Force should be tailored and/or trimmed down if my attacker is a female?

No, I didn't say that. But, in any use of force situation, things have to be evaluated in their totality. For instance, the size of the attacker, are they armed, what is the nature of the threat, etc. All these things come into consideration.

If I choke her out to assure I can get away safely...Is that to much force in the eyes of a LEO on scene?

[JusticeZero]

The issue isn't that you "should not strike a female", it is that if you do, regardless of the situation, you will be judged more poorly for it than the circumstances call for, and you may be attacked by men who have been strategically or incidentally placed on the scene as her weapons.

[Kuma]

I've made reference to it before, but it bears repeating:

http://www.policeone.com/close-quarters-combat/articles/1877110-Female-suspects-They-CAN-hurt-you/

Any time you underestimate someone, you immediately give them the advantage. And if they have bad intentions, regardless of whether they are male or female, big or small, they can hurt and/or kill you.

[bushido_man96]

Force should be tailored and/or trimmed down if my attacker is a female?

No, I didn't say that. But, in any use of force situation, things have to be evaluated in their totality. For instance, the size of the attacker, are they armed, what is the nature of the threat, etc. All these things come into consideration.

If I choke her out to assure I can get away safely...Is that to much force in the eyes of a LEO on scene?

No, I don't think so. But, you have to also keep in mind that what you view as doing a simple choke to disable her for a short time and get away, others may view as you attempting to kill someone. Again, much of a decision I would make would be determined by the collection of the information from you, and what you perceived the threat to be, and of those around that also witnessed it.

Another important aspect of self-defense is being able to articulate what you did and why you did it to someone in order to defend yourself. If I ask, "Bob, why did you choke her?" and you respond with a well worded response that describes her actions, along with her responses and aggression towards you, this will help you even more. You might respond, "She was being very belligerent towards me, and her breath smelled like she had been drinking. I was trying to leave, and she grabbed a beer bottle and swung it at me. I raised my arms up in a defensive position to protect my head, and at the same time that I blocked her arm, I slipped around behind her and restrained her with a carotid choke. I told her multiple times to drop the beer bottle, but she would not, and so I constricted the restraint, causing her to lose consciousness, because I didn't feel safe letting her go, for fear she would continue to hit me with the bottle. After I felt her body go limp, I let her down to the ground, and got far enough away I could safely call for help."

That response sounds a lot better, and tells me a lot more than a response that goes more like, "That goofy chick wouldn't leave me alone, so I knocked her out!"

I hope all that clears up things a little bit.