Three Rules of Self Defense (Part 3)

Rule #3 – Remember the Consequences

You are the victim here, it’s true. Unfortunately you will still have to deal with the consequences of your actions. These may not always be legal consequences, especially if it was an obvious case of self defense, but you must ask yourself what you are willing to live with.

Consider this question from two different angles. First, can you live with the damage you are doing to another human being? The good news is that in many cases you will probably be able to defend yourself without doing any real lasting damage to your attacker. (Some attackers are shocked by resistance at all and will abandon attack once they realize their target isn’t weak.) A broken bone or three will heal, and if you’re lucky your attacker will be living happily behind bars. In some cases, however, it may take more to get yourself out of danger. Can you live with yourself if you kill your attacker? Remember that in some cases you may have to face legal consequences, such as jail time, for your actions.

Second, are you willing to live with the emotional scars, physical injury or even death that might result if you don’t defend yourself at all? In some situations, such as robbery, it might be more worth it to hand over your wallet. But what if your attacker’s plans are more sinister? What if his plans are rape, followed by murder? In these situations, you do have to make the choice; you or your attacker. Again, chances are you won’t have to do any lasting damage to escape (except in extreme circumstances), but are you willing to break a nose, a rib or a knee to defend yourself?

The Bottom Line: Even when we act in self-defense, we still have to suffer the consequences of our actions. You are the only one that can determine what actions you will need to take and how much force is needed. Remember this, however (I’ve said it before and I will probably say it again); you are worth defending.