Are martial arts effective self-defence for women?

[Elmca]

...And then run like hell while shouting blue murder/calling the police on a mobile.

I seem to recall hearing that women were supposed to yell "fire" instead of "rape" because more people are likely to respond. I don't recall if an actual study was done or if it was just one of those things someone thought was a good idea.

I can't google it, since my work computer's filter won't let me search for "rape", so I'm going on memory here, though. I seem to remember hearing this in college, so that would've been the mid-80s and the advice might not be valid anymore.

[weemadando]

"Shouting blue murder" is an Australian term for making enough fucking noise that even a deaf man will tell you be quiet. Effectively, the whole point is to draw attention to yourself, even a cursory glance from someone, because usually when someone is screaming and running like hell, they'll also have a look on their face that conveys the fact that they are indeed, running for their goddamn lives and that tends to get peoples attention.

And I have heard the "fire" advice before, not sure how valid it actually would be, I'd say that's based on Kitty Genovese type paranoia.

[Adrian Laguna]

I don't see how yelling "fire" will get any more attention than someone calling the fire department and considering his civic duty accomplished.

[Masami von Weizegger]

I don't see how yelling "fire" will get any more attention than someone calling the fire department and considering his civic duty accomplished.

I think the theory is, in order to avoid said "fire", people will rush outside to where the incident is not so coincidentally taking place, in order to save their own skins.

[Broomstick]

If the fire trucks arrive with screaming sirens it might be enough to drive off a rapist.

The idea is that while someone can ignore a rape or mugging happening to someone else, unchecked fire spreads and is a threat to everyone. The idea being that someone will call for help of some sort, and the arrival of witnesses and such will be sufficient to drive the criminal away, and as a bonus possibly provide witnesses and/or people capable of rendering first aid to a victim.

[Darth Wong]

If the fire trucks arrive with screaming sirens it might be enough to drive off a rapist.

The idea is that while someone can ignore a rape or mugging happening to someone else, unchecked fire spreads and is a threat to everyone. The idea being that someone will call for help of some sort, and the arrival of witnesses and such will be sufficient to drive the criminal away, and as a bonus possibly provide witnesses and/or people capable of rendering first aid to a victim.

Has anyone ever actually put this idea into practice and achieved the desired results?

[Broomstick]

I have no idea, either way.