Consideration of the Rape Trauma Syndrome in the Training Process:

Model Mugging instructors are well versed in the dynamics of the rape trauma syndrome. This is an important aspect of training women in self-defense commonly overlooked in traditional self-defense classes. There are unique dynamics involved in teaching women fighting skills revolving around prior sexual violation.

An untrained instructor can severely injure a survivor psychologically and emotionally. Many women who take the course are survivors of sexual assault, molestation, incest, and/or domestic violence. Model Mugging instructors are sensitive to the feelings and past histories of survivors of sexual assault, incest, and molestation. In some Model Mugging classes, 80% of the students were survivors of sexual assault. Model Mugging is a program that emphasizes and tailors the course to enhance a survivor’s psychologically healing process.

The Model Mugging system is more than just “punching and kicking.” The program sensitively deals with the emotions and personal issues of abuse and assault that often surface during the course. The system can assist women to work through such pain and terror. A student who has a flashback or “breakdown” is taught to refocus and is empowered through her female instructor’s role modeling and coaching. Students come away from the course feeling victorious and overcoming feelings of victimization.

Survivors of sexual assault who become graduates of the program while receiving concurrent therapy commonly state, “Fighting the assailant was more emotionally healing than the years they spent in therapy.” This is an internal phenomenon occurring within each survivor. Instructors are not therapists, but the intense healing occurs because rape traumatizes a woman mentally, physically, and emotionally. While therapy usually concentrates on mental and emotional methods of healing, the overall healing process accelerates from the course because students physically deal with their fears in a psycho-dramatic way created from the scenarios.

An important factor in overcoming the natural inhibitions of hurting another person in order to protect one’s self is beneficial from the small group environment. Women learn to support one another in a safe environment socializing and showing women it is OK to protect themselves even if it means causing injury to another. Graduates who have had to defend themselves reported they could hear their classmates cheering for them as they fought back and the group support they received in class giving additional courage and strength to defeat a real assailant. The group bonding process occurring during the course with the same group of women is similar to the altruistic bonding that takes place in military units.

Prospective students in therapy are always recommended to consult with their therapist before taking the course; many psychologists have taken Model Mugging courses and have found them to very beneficial as well as practical. Model Mugging effectively trains women mentally, physically, and emotionally in a positive and empowering way.