Empowerment Model

The most effective models empower people to make choices. They promote the notion that women have the right to be heard and listened to; that they have the right not to be touched against their will and that they must be respected. This method of self-defense honors women's power and strength and ability to take care of themselves.

Prevention Model

Prevention is a controversial term, for one could argue that men can prevent rape, women can't. However, research has repeatedly supported safety strategies. No one can guarantee complete immunity from sexual assault, as it is true that potential victims have no control over the actions of potential assailants. However, we all can do whatever is possible to reduce our risk. In the end, however, since upwards of 90% of all sexual assailants are male, it is men who must work to end this behavior.

Protection Model

This model used to be very popular, and in some cases, still is. In this case, authority figures (police, parents, politicians) offered women a set of rules to follow (lock your car at all times, avoid dark places, never go anywhere alone, etc...). Feminist organizations believe that these lists are ineffective, restrictive, and offensive, for they imply that women cannot take care of themselves, or make logical decisions to reduce their risks of assault. And, the reality of women's lives make it impossible to follow every rule at every minute of every day.