I do not like violence either, but I do believe in defending ones self. I wish I would have learned a martial art when I was younger because maybe then I would have been able to fend off my attackers.

It sucks that we have to worry about defending ourselves, but unfortunately we have people who are so angry or mean that they take it out on the innocent.

As for those around us, in our neighborhood, etc...I think just showing your face can fend off attackers sometimes. I did that once, I saw someone getting bullied, stepped around the corner and the would-be attacker fled.

BJ