Self-defence

A few things to remember

The best defence is to avoid the situation in the first place
Keep your eyes open and avoid walking into potentially confrontational situations, find another route
Travel with friends whenever possible
Walk directly and with purpose- confident (not hostile) posture
Do not advertise your possessions- Do not walk around on mobile phone
Plan your route in advance. Use only well-lit areas
When leaving work or school late, leave with a group. Never be the last one out--alone
Travel in comfortable walking shoes and clothing
If being followed, do not go home. Go to a police station or nearest public place
Service your vehicle regularly to avoid breakdowns
Keep your vehicle locked when riding or parked, park in well-lit areas
When approaching all vehicles, start checking from a distance-under the vehicle, and nearby hiding places, etc
Have your keys ready so you won't have to fumble for them when you reach your vehicle. Your keys can also be used as a defensive weapon if needed
Self defence - self protection or attack training is better than none at all. An initial response of ducking, blocking, hitting, kicking, biting or yelling may buy you time to escape, but it may also lead to further harm. React fast and unexpectedly
Remember: Every situation is different. Only you can best understand your own capabilities and decide what your best course of action is. One of the best methods of self-defence is to "RUN", obvious that the best defence is avoidance