Gentle art of Verbal Self-defense and Conflict De-escalation

People negotiate every day. Negotiation means: to deal or to bargain, to arrange for or to bring about for discussion, to try to reach an agreement.

In a combative situation, negotiation is also a method of buying time and learning information we did not know before so we can ultimately make the best choice possible. We can learn information about the assailant’s background, health, fears, strengths, and ultimately identify his greatest vulnerabilities that will often coincide with his motivations and desires. With more information we can make better decisions. However, the time for negotiation for most women faced with assault will be on the ground and in the middle of the attack occurring during all phases of the assault. Negotiation can work to increase options and opportunities to inflict injury and/or to simply escape. Negotiation also involves patience, de-escalation techniques, flexibility, and creativity.

A critical aspect of the Model Mugging Course is de-escalation through verbal negotiation skills. The goal of the course is for women to win without fighting. One key attribute of the course is the experience women received from fighting which carries over into their boundary setting and ability to de-escalate a volatile situation.

Most graduates report using their boundary setting skills successfully deescalating situations before they reached a physical level. This can be seen in a Model Mugging graduates' body language and how she carries herself. Graduates will have more energy, more bounce, joy in life, and a subtle confidence that shows “my bite is going to be a lot harder than my bark.” Aggressors usually take the cue and realize this is more woman than they can handle and they move on.