Self-Defense & Violence Prevention Blog

news and commentary about security, self-defense, and topics like violent crime prevention and bullying

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Police Brutality and NYPD Racism

In the following video Michael Moore uses comedy and antics to bring attention to NYPD racism and police brutality: I do not agree with all of Michael Moore’s politics, but he makes informative documentaries. Regardless, I think we can all agree that police brutality and racism need to come to a stop. The video must… Read More

Rape in America: The Silent Epidemic

A press release about rape in America from Dennis Mahoney had the following to say: With the systematic use of rape as a tool of war in places like the Congo, it is easy to forget that hundreds of thousands of women are raped each year here in the United States. One of the reasons… Read More

DUI Checkpoints and Police States

I recently posted about how I (and every other driver passing through) had been stopped and pestered at a DUI checkpoint. While I was not that bothered by the unwarranted inconvenience, I speculated that it seems indicative of a police state and unconstitutional. Today, I read an article that confirmed my suspicions about DUI checkpoints.… Read More

Crack Gets More Jail Time Than Manslaughter

A recent AlterNet article pointed out the absurdity of strict drug laws in comparison to the softer laws against violent crime. The article focuses on the draconian laws against the possession of crack cocaine. The first sentence of the article sums it up nicely: “When crack cocaine possession means 24 years in prison and manslaughter… Read More

Home Security Tips

Sunstkitts.com recently published an article with crime prevention and safety tips for your home. It has about 7 tips. In my opinion, the following two are the best: Install a peephole in the door – and use it. Don’t let any stranger into your home when you’re alone, no matter what the reason or how… Read More

Getting To Know Your Neighbors

How much do you think getting to know your neighbors will prevent local victimization? How much safer will it make your neighborhood? I think a lot. Probably due mostly to our fast-paced culture, nowadays people keep mostly to themselves. We spend our time rotting lonely in front of TV screens rather than chatting with our… Read More

Dems Seek Tax Funding For Crime Prevention

A Philadelphia newspaper recently reported that U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Philadelphia) and Democrat mayoral candidate Michael Nutter talked about the need for strong federal funding for crime-fighting efforts for the city in North Philadelphia yesterday. I disagree. I do not think the government needs more funding for crime-fighting. Instead, they… Read More

Getting Abuse Victims to Help Themselves

Trying to stop domestic violence can prove very hard, namely because victims often fail to report the abuse and leave the abusive place or relationship. Victims protect their perpetrator for various reasons, some include self-blame, psychological dependence, and fear. Women who leave an abusive husband have a greatly increased chance of getting killed by that… Read More

Assessing Domestic Abuse Lethality

Many police stations across Maryland have implemented a new procedure when responding to domestic violence complaints to discover which victims have the highest risk of getting murdered by their partner. A Washington Post article describes the program, saying that it consists of an 11 questions quiz that probes whether victims have ever been threatened with… Read More

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In case you don’t know, I want to tell you that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is a horrible but prevalent problem. For example, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. You can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline… Read More

Are Cops Unconstitutional?

Today, I read an article by Roger Roots that points out many of the flaws of government-run police, and even speculates that government-run police may be unconstitutional. I recommend giving the well-written and well-cited article a read. Although the government supposedly creates police with the intention of protecting people, the police have failed at protecting… Read More