When faced with violence and words fails, you have 6 options:

Ignore/leave: The vast majority of violent encounters have a lead up time of some kind. It can be by using threatening behaviour, verbal abuse etc. If you sense tension that could develop into violence, a reliably good option is to simply leave. You should only ever deal with aggression physically when it is thrust upon you and you no other practical alternatives.

Comply: If you are faced with a potentially violent situation and for whatever reason you can’t negotiate a non physical solution or you’re unable to leave the scene, then the wisest and most appropriate course of action may in fact be to comply. Do what they want. If there is a reasonable chance that complying will work and you think and feel the cost of non compliance would be too great, then do it. Comply.

Dominate: Another option available to you in a hostile situation is to dominate your opponent by demonstrating that you are not easy prey. Use you LOUD voice, your attitude and your body language to let your attacker know that you are not going to passively cooperate. Predators can read non combative attitude. If you’re not prepared to fight when attacked then that attitude will be reflected in the way you move, the way you stand, look and speak. A predator will read these signs and interpret them as a weakness. To dominate, it’s not always necessary to get physical, but it is necessary to let the attacker know, by whatever means available, that you are not easy prey and if push comes to shove “you will fight”

Stun and Run: If circumstances dictate that you should leave as quickly and decisively as possible, stun and then run! The distraction-the “stun” is vital for success, because you need to cause your attacker to experience a brain blink! You need to do something that has them thinking “what the hell was that” This is the most difficult option as you are required to physically overpower you’re attacker with brute strength/skill. This option should only be used when there is urgent need, if you must pursue this course of action, it is imperative that you precede with a “brain blink” and you should also accept in advance that you are more than likely going to get hurt in the process.

Incapacitate: This is the last of you’re options because it’s the last resort. You have been back into a corner where there is no escape. The cost of complying is too great. And all other options have failed or where not appropriate. If you are face with a situation where the most appropriated option is to incapacitate your attacker, the actual mechanics of what you do will depend on you as an individual. Are you capable of gouging an attacker’s eye out to stop him assaulting you/loved one? Or does the prospect of blinding someone override the welfare of that? The answer is something that only you know and in all probability you wont know for certain until you are unfortunate enough to be in that situation.