The new edition of this manual sets out the skills necessary to prevent confrontation and thus help avoid violent and aggressive situations.

The manual provides a wealth of knowledge and a range of techniques to support any person who finds themselves in a confrontational situation in which they have to deal with an aggressive, violent or potentially violent person.

The manual provides a background to what is going on behind automatic responses, so that you can best understand and predict the possible outcomes of given actions and thereby manage and control the situation more safely and effectively. This ability to manage the situation effectively could prove critical in a confrontation with a potentially violent individual.

The manual includes a chapter entitled “Understanding the Risk”. Our ability to manage confrontation will be improved if we are better able to understand the level of risk of any situation. Research has shown that the risk of violent confrontation is higher in specific situations, such as where the potential aggressor has a history of violence, has been provoked by something (particularly if it is interpreted as a direct attack on them), is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is affected by mental or physical illness, or part of a group which considers violence to be “normal” or acceptable. Further examples given in the manual are where the person anticipates that violence will bring material reward or social approval or where person believes that violence is the only realistic option.
Being aware of the above risks may help you to find ways of calming a violent person. For example, if you demonstrate that there are other options open to them, or persuade them that no good will come of a violent action, then it is more likely that you will be able to dissuade them from taking the violent course of action.

Another chapter deals with understanding aggression. One key aspect to managing confrontation is to understand the causes, background and cycle of aggression. These will all give clues as to the reason why the person you are dealing with is aggressive, and to the type of responses which may help you to defuse their aggression. Psychological causes of aggression including fear, frustration, humiliation and vulnerability are all covered in the text.

All of these issues – and more – are covered comprehensively in this new manual. It has more than 100 pages of helpful advice and guidance and written by the British Self Defence Governing Body. It is available only in PDF format and will be dispatched by email.

To order a copy please send a cheque made payable to the British Self Defence Governing Body for £49.50, ensuring that you provide your email address.

British Self Defence Governing Body, PO Box 126, Neston, England, CH33 9BD.