Can women effectively learn self-defense online?

Yes. Research from the University of Oregon shows that women who complete empowerment self-defense training are both more likely to avoid assault if targeted, and less likely to be targeted in the first place. Online Krav Maga courses offer the same techniques taught in person, with the advantage of learning at your own pace and rewatching techniques as needed.

Why is Krav Maga recommended for women's self-defense?

Krav Maga was developed by the Israeli military to be learned quickly and used effectively regardless of size or strength. It emphasizes leverage, technique, and situational awareness over brute force — making it particularly effective for women. Techniques focus on real-world scenarios including grabs, chokes, and ground attacks.

Do I need any martial arts experience to start?

No prior experience is needed. The course is designed for complete beginners. The system breaks down techniques into simple, repeatable movements that build muscle memory over time. Many women start with zero combat experience and report feeling significantly more confident within weeks.

She Prepared › Dating Safety

First Date Safety: What Every Woman Should Know

Meeting someone new should be exciting, not anxiety-inducing. But the reality is that dating — particularly online dating — places women in situations with strangers where safety cannot be assumed. 1 in 6 women experience stalking in their lifetime. The majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. Dating safety isn't paranoia. It's preparation.

1 in 6

Women experience stalking in their lifetime (CDC)

55%

Of sexual assaults occur at or near the victim's home

73%

Of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim

57%

Of women using dating apps report harassment (Pew Research)

Before the Date: Digital Safety

Verify the person exists. Reverse image search their profile photos. Check if their name appears on LinkedIn, social media, or professional directories. Catfishing and identity fraud are not rare — they are the norm on many platforms. A real person with genuine intentions will have a verifiable digital footprint.

Keep communication on the platform. Dating apps have built-in reporting and blocking. Once you move to personal phone numbers or messaging apps, that safety layer disappears. Exchange numbers only after you've met in person and feel comfortable.

Share your plans. Tell a friend where you're going, who you're meeting, and when you expect to be home. Share your live location. This is not excessive — it's the same precaution you'd take for any meeting with a stranger.

During the Date: Situational Awareness

Meet in public. Always. For first, second, and third dates — meet in a busy, well-lit public place. Coffee shops and restaurants are better than bars (alcohol impairs awareness). Never accept a ride to or from a first date. Maintain your own transportation.

Watch your drink. Drink spiking is not an urban legend — it is a documented crime that occurs in bars, restaurants, and even coffee shops. Never leave your drink unattended. If you do, order a new one. If your date pressures you to drink more, leave.

Trust your instincts. Research by Gavin de Becker (author of The Gift of Fear) consistently shows that intuition is a survival mechanism, not anxiety. If something feels wrong — if the person is too intense, too controlling, or too persistent — leave. You do not owe a stranger an explanation for protecting yourself.

If Something Goes Wrong

The skills taught in self-defense training are not just physical. Verbal assertiveness — the ability to say "no" clearly, loudly, and without apology — is the first line of defense. Research shows that assertive verbal resistance is effective in stopping the majority of escalation attempts.

If verbal boundaries are ignored, create distance and witnesses. Move toward other people. Make noise. Use your phone to call someone. Predatory behaviour relies on isolation — eliminating isolation disrupts the attack pattern.

If physical contact occurs, the escape techniques from Krav Maga apply directly: break the grip at the thumb, create distance, and move toward safety. The Be Prepared course includes specific scenarios for dating situations — car grabs, stairwell encounters, and attempts to isolate.

What Women Who Train Say

"I used to feel guilty for being cautious on dates. Then I read the statistics. Now I share my location without apology. The right person will understand — and the wrong person will reveal themselves by objecting." — Dating app user, age 28

"After learning situational awareness in Krav Maga, I noticed that my date kept trying to move us to more isolated spots in the bar. Before training, I would have gone along with it. Instead, I said no and left. My instinct was right — a friend saw him do the same thing to another woman the following week." — Be Prepared student

"I taught my three daughters three rules: always meet in public, always have your own way home, and always tell someone where you are. It's not fear — it's the baseline." — Mother of three daughters

Ready to Be Prepared?

The Be Prepared course teaches everything on this page — and more — through expert-led video instruction by David & Eytan, certified Krav Maga instructors.

Get the Be Prepared Course

Sources

CDC/NISVS — Stalking prevalence data (1 in 6 women lifetime)

Bureau of Justice Statistics — Location of sexual assault (55% at/near home)

DOJ — Relationship between victim and perpetrator (73% known to victim)

Pew Research Center — Online dating harassment survey (2023)

De Becker, Gavin — The Gift of Fear: intuition and survival instincts

She Prepared provides self-defense education, not a guarantee of safety. Always seek professional in-person instruction alongside online training. Consult a physician before beginning any physical training programme.