Nov 13 Dennis Jones – The Reality of Self Defence..

This interview was conducted in May 2004

Steve Rowe talks to doorman and Shi kon Martial Artist Dennis Jones

SR  Last month we discussed the right to defend your own home and the proposed changes in the law, the government this week resolved to keep the law the same stating that the term ‘reasonable force’ contained within it was sufficient.  I think I had a bit of a rant last month about society and government policies but agreed that the law didn’t need changing but the interpretation of it might.

This month we really need to address not just the law and its interpretation but the realism of what actually happens.  You are in a unique position having been privilege (if you can call it that) of being involved in and witnessing violent confrontations of all descriptions so when ‘normal’ people are given the advice of ‘lock yourself in a room’, ‘give the offender your wallet/handbag/purse/ etc or run away….  What are your thoughts on that?

DJ  We have to consider our responses beforehand.  Whatever way you train in the dojo you can’t fully prepare people for the fear they will experience in a real confrontation.  We try to set up scenarios in the dojo to create a realistic feeling but with the best intentions you can only ever come relatively close.

SR  I remember an event outside the dojo here, involving a group of ‘chavs’ high on drugs and with metal bars and ball bearing guns, just damaging property, I knew I shouldn’t go outside because if I seriously hurt anyone I would be prosecuted, so I phoned the police.  But I have to admit that although I’d done the ‘right’ thing, my anger took months to subside because I really wanted to go out there and sort them out.

DJ  Of course what you did was right given the circumstances, but no one knows what the future holds.

SR This is a paragraph taken from the Voice of the Daily Mirror on 13^th January 2005:

“Housebreakers can be desperate and going for them might result in an innocent person being killed.  It is better to lose your property than your life.”

DJ  If I could predict the outcome of a situation and it was that I would be killed if I didn’t give over the contents of my wallet – of course I’d give over my wallet.  But no one can do that.  How do you know that the burglar or mugger isn’t going to kill you or rape your wife?  Imagine a burglar carrying a notice saying “I intend to burgle you but I will not harm you or your wife”…  We just don’t know what they will do…

The job of the police is to detect and solve crime, but can they protect you?  No.  If you are Tony Blair or royalty you are protected by police and special services with guns, they have made it abundantly clear that if anyone breaks in to their property they will very likely be shot.  For us ‘normal’ members of society….  we are truthfully alone.  The police work will begin after the event when you could be lying on a slab in the morgue.

That is why you cannot ‘leave it to the police’ – you have to work out what your intentions are in these circumstances and it’s going to have to be realistic.

SR  You’re saying that the offender who has selected you and/or your property, is an unknown quantity and is likely to harm you because you’re submissive?

DJ  Exactly.  Avoiding trouble protects you, but being a pacifist doesn’t protect you from the ills in this world.  Both of us are against violence but realise the reality of having to ‘keep our peace’.  The problem we have to be aware of is that in a conflict we are only half of it, the other half is an unknown quantity, he can be so desperate to obtain your property that you are simply something in the way, or he may ‘get off’ by committing violence to people.  You just don’t know.

Working on the door one night many years ago, I saw a couple of guys talking at the bottom of a small grassy bank, at the top of it were another group of about six guys.  Somehow I knew something was going to happen.  Suddenly the large group of guys rushed at the other two and there was a melee that lasted just a few seconds resulting with the two guys that were talking laying on the floor and the others running away.

I went over and they’d been stabbed everywhere, they weren’t dead, but were critically injured, stabbing leaves an almond shaped wound that kind of turns in on itself and there’s a pause before the blood starts rushing. I gave first aid and they were taken away.  What self defence could they have done?  If they’d been aware, if their instincts like mine had told them that something was wrong, maybe they’d have had time to react or run.  If you’re not aware, you don’t stand a chance.  If you are aware, you might stand a chance. That’s all.  Because they were totally unwitting, they nearly died.

You can’t predict what’s going to happen you can only be prepared and aware.  You can’t hand the responsibility for yourself, or your family’s safety over to others.

SR  We need to make decisions as to how far we’re willing to go and train our mind and body to deal with situations, to protect ourselves and our families and most of all be prepared and aware.

It makes sense to have good security at home, good solid doors to the outside with 3 hinges and 3 locks, closed, locked, modern double glazed windows.  CCTV is so cheap and easy nowadays, it’s a must for any normal householder, a charged mobile phone near the bed, weapons that can be used against you in the house well hidden and in places that you can get to them if needed and if you are prepared to use them.

A well serviced car with toolkit, torch, blanket, shovel, phone and someone expecting you at your arrival at a certain time for journeys, locking yourself in the car and not displaying wealth, all these precautions alongside awareness and training I think are common sense.

DJ  Excellent advice, Steve, and remember that there are some people that are just not like the rest of us, most of us just want to be left alone, but some people ‘get off’ by dominating and hurting others, don’t just assume that they will take your goods and leave.

Running away might be good advice in some circumstances, but what if your attacker can run faster?  Are you prepared to turn your back on someone with a knife?  What if you are with a child or wife that can’t run?  Locking yourself in a room sounds fine, but most internal doors can be taken out with a kick.

Think about it.  Take precautions.  Be aware.  Train under a mentor who knows what they are talking about.

It’s not rocket science.

SR  Thank you Dennis.

Steve Rowe

Steve Rowe is a highly successful Martial Arts instructor - an International Neigong, Qigong and Tai Chi Teacher and an 8th Dan Karate with many other senior dan grades in other martial disciplines.

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