Self-defense in high-risk cases

[Markus Soeldner]

Hey guys,
I have an interesting case here and I would be interested in your opinion.
A German couple (he 68, she 61) with two daughters (16 and 19) have contacted me because someone who poses a threat to the family will be released from prison at the end of September. The two girls are foster daughters who come from two Kurdish families. There has been an increase in violence there. It was a question of which of the families would get the children (I don’t know the exact background yet). The girls’ father has served 12 years in prison and will be released at the end of September under certain conditions. One of the conditions is an ankle bracelet and he is not allowed to stay in the area (there would be a certain warning period).
The father will try to take the girls back into his care. The police have been informed.
The danger is classified as serious. Possible scenarios range from abduction to dramatic suicide. Both the police and I were the first to suggest moving away or a new identity, but this option was rejected.
Since the family has an uneasy feeling despite all the measures already taken, I have now been asked to give a few tips on precautions and prevention, including some techniques for self-defense – simply to counteract the constant uneasy feeling.
I already have some situational awareness measures in mind and ways to prevent an assault. Measures to prevent an encounter and in the event of an encounter, evacuation measures, securing the home, etc.
Of course, the whole thing is just a drop in the ocean, because I can’t make an entire family resilient in 4 weeks.
I also don’t have any background information at the moment. For example, whether something like honor plays a role here (which is very common among Kurds), whether the man is possibly under pressure from his family or whether he has outside help. For example, if he can’t take action himself because of the anklet, but nothing prevents him from sending someone else…..he can also wait and try again and again.
My question is, what other measures should I consider apart from those already mentioned in your opinion?
And please keep in mind – this is Germany, so no guns!
I would be very grateful for your feedback

[Joshua Caywood (Instructor)]

Hey Markus. I consulted with a buddy who just finished some private protection training and he had the same thoughts I did so I’ll go ahead and share them.

First, it’s hard to believe they waited till 4 weeks out to be concerned with training, but we can’t fix that. Awareness training is definitely and always a good answer. Finding improvised “equalizers” that they can learn to use quickly would be smart (ie. Bug spray). Teaching them the basics (Fast Course, 60 min SD, Module 1) and only focusing on those basics is probably all they will have time for. Then I would run them through some abduction scenarios so they can “practically” use what they learned and be somewhat more prepared. I doubt they are going to spend 4 full weeks training 10+hrs a day so maximizing and optimizing their training is important. The scenarios will help wake them up and teach them their realistic limitations.

Finally, convince the 19 year old to start dating a big bad dude to provide a layer of protection.

That’s about the best they can hope for given the time constraints, age and size constraints, and I’m assuming financial constraints (otherwise just hire a private security team).

[Markus Soeldner]

Hey Joshua, the 60min Fast Course is what I had in mind too. Apart from the actual threat, the lack of time is my biggest problem.
Thanks for your feedback

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