Hello,

I’m the writer of damselindefense.com.  I have a bachelor’s in psychology, 11 years of martial arts and self defense experience, and a passion for helping others learn self defense that comes from knowing and working with many survivors of sexual assault.

I first came up with the idea to write a defense blog after I took a concealed carry course and one of the teachers mentioned that he was having trouble reaching a female audience with his defense training.  With my defense background, he wanted me to start a blog that would be a female viewpoint to his website.  I ended up deciding to go my own route and, after several sexual assaults in my area that I felt were very preventable, I picked a name and started writing.  I came up with the name Damsel In Defense because I wanted something catchy that also perfectly emulated how I feel about defense.  I don’t have to be a man to defend myself.  It’s not man in defense.  And being a damsel doesn’t mean you have to be in distress.  Also, because I talk somewhat about the prevailing rescue fetishes, including what seems to be a fetish for damsels in distress, I thought it fittingly ironic as a title.  Damsel In Defense.  It defines me and helps me stay anonymous.

In my free time I love to write, snuggle with my husband, work out on the trapeze, practice martial arts, and do my nails. My philosophy is plan for the worst, hope for the best.  Even though I mostly have to talk about dark and unpleasant aspects of existence here on this blog, I think the world is a great place to be, especially when you are being safe and aware.