The author emphasizes the need for women to overcome their fear of rape by addressing their fears of physical fighting and developing personal power. The manual outlines ways to avoid being a target of rape or other violence, how to recognize the signs of a potential attack, how to defuse potentially dangerous situations, and how to be assertive. It also focuses on lethal and nonlethal weapons, street harassment, carjacking, and related safety issues. Additional sections discuss myths many women have believed since childhood, the psychology of empowerment, ways to avoid specific types of violence, and sexual harassment and discrimination in the military and the workplace. Case stories, reference notes, and index