self-defense | Divas In Defense®

How To: 6 Diva Tips for Stopping Stalkers

Did You Know One in Six Women Will Be A VICTIM of stalking?

Let me guess, you thought only celebrities had stalkers? Think again!

This growing epidemic which often leads to violence or murder, finally received its National recognition. On December 31, 2013, President Obama declared January as Stalking Awareness Month.

Here are 8 tips for you to protect yourself from being a victim of stalking:

1. Put a lock on your life!

Technology, although helpful, is a gateway to multiple types of crimes. We are often overly concerned with remembering our passwords, that we create less secure ones for our own comfort.
Create passwords that have high levels of security. Microsoft suggests having passwords with at least eight characters which DO NOT contain complete words.

2. They’re Free Anyway.

“Nothing in life is free.” Well, email can be! Using a simple “free email addresses” search on the web, we were able to find the “Top 11 Free Email Services” as of last month. Use multiple seperate email accounts for various purposes: personal bills and finances; a “sign up” account (for things you “sign up” for on the web); correspondence with family and friends; business

3. There Are No Reservations, You Do Not Have To Check In!

It’s understood how exciting it can be to stay social, using “selfies” and streaming video to connect with friends on the web. We strongly encourage not using the “check-in” feature on various apps to give your location until you are ready to depart. Apps like these keep an accurate account of your most visited areas making it easy to track and locate you.

4. Shredding Is Not Only For Cheese.

As hard as we try to be an eco-friendly Nation with electronic versions of everything; truth is, we still use paper. It would be understandably simple to mistake an overdue bill as junk mail when struggle is present. This is one of those good news, bad news scenarios. Good news: This too shall pass. Bad news: Personal Information and/or Identity Theft Invest in protecting your personal information, your local office supply store has inexpensive shredders (preferably one that shreds expired credit cards also)… Go get one!

5. Okay, You Are Cute! Now Put Your Badge Away!

If you are no longer at work, please take off your darn work badge. Do you realize having your name and workplace as a personal billboard is potentially life threatening? Someone can pose as a utility provider, mail man or jogger and have only those two things for you to feel comfortable enough to let down your guard if only for a few seconds. By calling your name and identifying where you work as a way to “me too” with you; those few seconds you are attempting to sort through your mental Contacts can allow an attacker to force his way into your home or you into his car.

6. Safeguard Your Smartphone

It’s funny how dumb our smartphones make us. Cell phones have evolved from a novelty to a necessity to many of us. Both parents and teens developed a dependency on them divulging every aspect of our lives willfully. It possesses our most personal photos; communication with family and friends and even our daily finances. If you could print all the information from your phone and put it in front of you, you would buy a vault to protect it. Add a simple pass code on your phone PIN, swipe or password to make your life line less accessible.

Find out how to “Prevent Your Ex From Cyber-Stalking“

Don’t Be A Target: How To Protect Your Credit Card During The Holidays

Black Friday data breach will make a very UN-Merry Christmas for over 40 million customers as discount retailer TARGET becomes a target for credit card thieves.

Over 40 million TARGET customers were targeted in a major hacking that compromised accounts from all major credit card companies. Media giant, CNN, reported that cards used in Target’s brick-and-mortar stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15, may have been impacted. Although, this is nearly impossible to protect yourself from these kinds of attacks; consistent monitoring of your bank and credit card accounts can alert you of unauthorized purchases.

Incorporating a few practices into your daily routine can help keep your cards and account numbers safe. For example, keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates and the phone number to report fraud for each company in a secure place. Don’t lend your card to anyone — even your kids or roommates — and don’t leave your cards, receipts, or statements around your home or office. When you no longer need them, shred them before throwing them away.

Other fraud protection practices include:

1. Don’t give your account number to anyone on the phone unless you’ve made the call to a company you know to be reputable. If you’ve never done business with them before, do an online search first for reviews or complaints.

2. Don’t give your account number to anyone on the phone unless you’ve made the call to a company you know to be reputable. If you’ve never done business with them before, do an online search first for reviews or complaints.

3. Carry your cards separately from your wallet. It can minimize your losses if someone steals your wallet or purse. And carry only the card you need for that outing.

4. During a transaction, keep your eye on your card. Make sure you get it back before you walk away.

5. Never sign a blank receipt. Draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.

6. Save your receipts to compare with your statement.

7. When using public ATMs and paying at gas pumps, make sure to “shake” the card reader before inserting card. Thieves often make mock readers and place them over ATM and gas pumps to “steal” credit card numbers and PINs. If the reader jiggles or is not secure, DO NOT insert your card! Alert store or bank if possible.

8. Open your bills promptly — or check them online often — and reconcile them with the purchases you’ve made.

9. Report any questionable charges to the card issuer.

10. Notify your card issuer if your address changes or if you will be traveling.

11. Don’t write your account number on the outside of an envelope.

For more information regarding credit card protection, please read “Protecting Against Credit Card Fraud” by U.S. Federal Trade Commission at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0216-protecting-against-credit-card-fraud

Holiday Safety Tips

Jingle bells, Christmas lights and Eggnog helps bring the holiday season to life. This is also the season for high crime rates and unsafe conditions, we want you to enjoy the holidays safely with your family and friends.

Here are a few tips to stay safe this holiday.

1. Make sure your car is prepared for the winter by checking your spark plugs, tires, brakes and batteries.

2. Keep a “safety survival kit” available in your car that includes a flashlight, jumper cables, ice scraper, first aid kit and non perishable, high energy food.

3. When shopping at night, park in a well lit area.

4. Do not leave visible packages in your car.

5. Try to schedule shopping trips with friends.

6. Avoid overloading yourself with packages when walking to your car.

7. ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings.

8. ALWAYS carry your self defense products. {Click here to purchase yours today}

9. Do not post your travel itinerary on social media sites.

10. Do not use the ATM at night.

Have a safe and fun Holiday Season!

Halloween Safety

Halloween is an exciting holiday for many families. Unfortunately, with all the fun comes the responsibility of making sure our children are safe. Here are a few safety tips to help make sure this Halloween season is a fun and safe one for your family.

1. Use glow sticks or flashlights to provide light for your children to while walking. This will also make them more visible to everyone else.

2. Adult supervision is important during Trick or Treat hours. Children under 12 should not trick or treat without an adult present.

3. Tell children not to enter a stranger’s house.

4. Make sure children wait to eat any candy collected until a parent or guardian is able to examine the candy collected.

5. The Halloween season provides families the opportunity to revisit the “stranger danger” talk.

6. Tell your children to avoid cutting through alleys and any unoccupied areas.

7. Stay on sidewalks or walk facing the traffic as far from the road as possible.

Have a safe and fun Halloween from the Divas in Defense Team!

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. This is a time for us to come together as a community to promote awareness of Domestic Violence. This is not a problem for one woman but for many women in our communities. Domestic Violence does not discriminate but affects every socioeconomic status and culture and is the leading cause of injury for women. Take this opportunity to stand up for those that have lost their lives in preventing Domestic Violence from happening to others. Here are a few ways that you can join the movement and take a stand.

1. Empower yourself. Empower yourself and your loved ones with the facts about Domestic Violence and how they can help. Click here for more information.

2. Participate in local Domestic Violence Awareness events. Check local listings for Domestic Violence Awareness events in your area and volunteer for these events.

3. Purple ribbon campaign. The purple ribbon is the recognized ribbon for Domestic Violence. Wear and distribute purple ribbons to friends, family and leaders in your community.

4. Purple Purse Campaign. Join AllState and YWCA Purple Purse Campaign.

5. Conduct a cell phone drive. Join Verizon by joining their HopeLine campaign. Donate your no longer used phone to a Verizon Wireless Store or through the mail. Click here to learn more.

6. Donate. Donate monetary gifts, gift cards or hygiene items to a local Domestic Violence shelters in your area. Many victims of domestic violence leave their homes without proper funding, hygiene and clothes for their family.

Divas In Defense + Universal Pictures = One Kick Ass Event!

Divas In Defense Joins Forces With Kick-Ass 2 Movie For The Sake Of Women’s Safety

Roll With Divas In Defense And Kick Ass

Nope, it’s not Halloween, but you’ll need your costume to kick some butt!

On August 12, Divas in Defense joins forces with Universal Pictures in the name of your favorite superheroes from Kick-Ass, the hit movie franchise. Kick-Ass 2 and Divas in Defense invites you to learn no-fear based, situational self-defense—and you got it, in your superhero costume. Held at Gotta Dance Atlanta as part of a “bring out your inner superhero” and women’s safety campaign—all participants will receive invaluable instruction and guidance from DID certified professional trainers. As an added bonus, all paying attendees will receive complimentary passes to the advance screening, branded t-shirts, watches and more!

Admission is $15 for costumed participants, $35 for non-costumed. Class starts at 5:30pm at 1778 Ellsworth Industrial Drive NW, Atlanta, 30318.

Divas in Defense on the Fantastic Voyage

In celebration of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, Divas in Defense had the opportunity to attend the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise. We met many women from all across the nation sharing their stories and promoting the need to discuss issues of sexual assault and violence against women. We had the opportunity to instruct 3 self defense classes to the women in attendance and loved every minute of it.

The fun didn’t stop there. Our COO, Cole Parker, was a panelist for the Health and Wellness Seminar sponsored by Wal-Mart. He shared the stage with Dr. Ro, award winning health journalist and nutrition coach, Dr. Robin Smith New York Times best-selling author and comedian Myra J. This seminar focused on living a healthier life by keeping stress down and eating healthier.

We had a great time and want to thank the entire Tom Joyner Staff for supporting us and providing us the opportunity to help save someone’s life.

Divas in Defense Partners with The Call

We were excited to partner with Gofobo and Sony Pictures to promote the new movie, The Call, that opens in theaters today. The Call is a thriller starring Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin about a 911 operator (Berry) that receives a call from a girl (Breslin) that has just been abducted. We had the privilege to partner with local organizations at Oglethorpe University and Georgia State University to promote the movie and teach students self defense techniques. We discussed ways to avoid abduction and other violent crimes.

Students were then given safety flashlights and movie passes to attend a movie screening of The Call prior to opening day. This movie is why we are passionate about what we do here at Divas in Defense. Bringing awareness to these types of issues may save your life one day.

Interested in hosting a class at your school? Contact us today.

20 Things Everyone Should Know About Bullying

Everyone knows bullying happens. But did you know that bullying hurts everyone – even the bully? Here are 20 important things to know about bullying and what you can do to stop it from happening.

1. Bullying is when someone says or does things to hurt another person.

2. Hurting someone one time by mistake is not bullying. But doing it over and over on purpose is.

3. Kids who bully may tease other people or call them names. Kids who bully might put others down or leave them out of activities.

4. Kids who bully can hurt others by hitting, kicking, shoving or chasing them.

5. Kids who bully may send hurtful text messages, email or photos, or post them online.

6. Both boys and girls can be victims of bullies.

7. There are lots of reasons people might bully others. Kids who bully may think bullying will make them more popular.

8. Scaring or hurting others may make kids who bully feel powerful.

9. A kid who bullies others might be getting bullied by someone else.

10. Someone who is bullied may feel scared, sad, depressed, worried, lonely or angry.

11. Someone who is bullied may not want to go outside or to school.

12. If you are being bullied, stay with others. Bullies usually don’t pick on people who are in a group.

13. Stand up to the person who is bullying by telling them to stop. Then walk away.

14. If you are being bullied, tell an adult you trust – a teacher, parent, principal or friend.

15. If you tell an adult and they don’t help tell someone else. Sometimes adults don’t realize how serious bullying can be.

16. If you see someone else being bullied, don’t ignore it.

17. Help the person being bullied and get them away from the bully. Then help them tell an adult.

18. It is not tattling when telling an adult keeps you or someone else from being hurt or helps you feel safe.

19. Someone who bullies another person may lose his or her friends. Many kids don’t want to hank out with a bully.

20. Kids who bully can get into serious trouble for hurting others.

Divas in Defense Partners with Budget Car and Truck Rental of Atlanta to Teach Self-Defense and Cyberbullying Prevention at the Allstate/Tom Joyner Family Reunion

With children returning to school, it is imperative to educate children and their parents on social media etiquette, internet safety and cyberbullying prevention. In an effort to provide awareness and training, Divas in Defense has teamed with Budget Car and Truck Rental of Atlanta to provide self-defense training at the Allstate/Tom Joyner Family Reunion in Orlando Florida. This campaign consists of a series of self-defense presentations and classes. These classes include training on how to protect your identity against theft, warning signs of a child being bullied, proper “netiquette” when utilizing social media platforms.

Budget Car and Truck Rental of Atlanta has been locally owned and operated since 1977. Budget has 14 convenient metro Atlanta locations open 7 days a week to provide the best value in car rental while democratizing travel. Budget Atlanta offers a wide variety of rental vehicles from sedans to luxury cars, specialty and premium vehicles, SUVs, minivans, passenger vans, and trucks. Reservations and more information is available through their local website: BudgetATL.com. Budget Car and Truck Rental of Atlanta is to be commended for taking a stand against violence towards women and cyberbullying by providing transportation for Divas In Defense trainers to provide self-defense educational services. These are a set of classes FREE and OPEN to the public at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando from August 30, 2012 through September 3, 2012. The classes target women and children with specific focus on teens and the issues they face.

Divas in Defense’s mission is to empower women of all ages with the training and tools imperative to their personal safety and the safety of their families. Through fun, instinctive learning; women gain the knowledge to protect and arm themselves while gaining confidence not to be the victims.

About Divas in Defense

Currently located in six states and Mexico, Divas in Defense provides self-defense for the “everyday” woman. From the athlete to the not-so- active, the businesswoman to the student, and the shy to the confident, our courses are intended to educate, promote awareness, build self-esteem and give women the physical and mental tools they need to detect, avoid and escape potentially violent situations. We also provide on-site corporate and private training programs, including specialty training seminars and presentations.

To bring Divas in Defense to your next event for a presentation or for a training session, please contact Divas in Defense at (877) 713-4343 or via email at

in**@di************.com

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