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The Myth of the Second Location
Why one of the most popular self defense rules is not realistic for women
There’s a self defense and security expert named Gavin de Becker, who has written a book called The Gift of Fear. It’s a great book, actually, and there’s a lot in it that I really appreciate and that I myself have learned from.
But there’s also a lot in it that seems to be completely clueless about how women operate in the world. I’m saying this not to pick a fight with Gavin de Becker fans, but to point out that Becker is famous for saying in his book “don’t ever let them take you to a second location”.
That’s a pretty common piece of advice across the world of self-defense.
But what if you don’t know you’re being taken to a second location?
Last month two young American women were assaulted at a popular tourist destination here in Germany. One of them died of her injuries, the other survived. The assailant was apprehended — an American man in his 30s, also traveling as a tourist in Germany.
The American women were backpacking on a summer trip in Europe to celebrate…
