Self-defense tips for a worst-case scenario

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Lancaster Sheriff’s Office arrested a man last week on suspicion of stalking a woman west of Lincoln.

She was on her morning run near Southwest 56th Street and Denton Road when she noticed a black sedan following her. 

After the man wouldn’t stop following her, she called 911.

Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said the woman handled the situation as well as she could.

“It’s good that she had a phone,” he said.

But he said he has noticed people running with their headphones on, listening to music. He suggests having the volume low so you can hear someone approaching.

“We’ve had several incidents where people have been attacked on the trail,” Houchin said.

 A scary situation like this can happen to anyone.

Scott Walls, the owner of the Lincoln Karate Clinic, said if you think you’re being followed by a car, you should stare directly at the driver. 

“Just go the opposite way that the car is going,” he said. “What that forces the person in the car to do, if they were following you, is to either reverse their direction or turn that car around, which obviously takes time.” 

But in the worst-case scenario, if the person gets out of the car and tries to attack you from behind, you should lower your body.

Walls said that helps you get “heavy,” meaning it will be harder to pick you up. That will also keep your hands free to attack.

He said you should also yell and scream while defending yourself. 

Walls said if the attacker grabs you from the front, you want to hit them in the eyes.

“No matter how big you are, how tough you are, you get struck in the eyes, you’re going to go down,” he said.