Polish Jiu-Jitsu Master Teaches Women How to Defend Themselves: "Abusers Look for Victims, Not Opponents"

Krystyna Romanowska: Have you noticed the surge of videos online showing women how to defend themselves against violence? Is this a sign of the times? There was supposed to be less aggression against women, but it ended as usual?

Joanna Ziobronowicz: Yes, I've noticed, and I think that what's happening online—these videos, these roller skates, these self-defense guides for women—are a very significant signal. This isn't a coincidence, but a reflection of the real threat women face around the world. We wanted a kinder world, emancipation, greater safety, but the reality is that women are still victims of violence—physical, verbal, and psychological.

And this isn't changing fast enough. On the contrary, violence is escalating in many places.

From my perspective, based on my experience and work with women, I can say that the statistics are alarming. While crime is generally reported to be decreasing, in large cities like London, there has been an increase in assaults, rapes, and robberies. In the UK, the government has only recently invested more resources in combating violence against women and girls, which demonstrates how seriously this problem is growing.

I don't see self-defense videos and rolls as a fad, but rather as a natural social reaction. Women know they must be able to defend themselves, because the system often won't protect them. The police are often ineffective, punishments are too lenient, and perpetrators are released from prison, with recidivism becoming the norm.

I recently watched an interview with a man who had just been released from an English prison (prisons are overcrowded, so some people are released after serving 1/3 of their sentence) – when asked by a journalist whether he felt rehabilitated, he replied without hesitation: "Absolutely not."

When asked if he intended to commit a crime again, he replied, "I think so."

This shows the scale of the systemic absurdity – the lack of space in prisons means people are released earlier and the threat to women increases.

But can you learn effective self-defense methods from these skates?

If you're referring to Steven Seagal-style moves, then definitely not. It's definitely worth practicing inner strength, learning to say "no" even in everyday situations, and taking care of your overall fitness. Self-defense doesn't start with a kick to the groin. It starts with posture. When a woman walks down the street, standing tall, with her chest open, and her chin up, she's signaling, "Don't do that with me."

Torturers look for victims, not opponents.

They choose people who are weak, drunk, distracted, or have a phone in their hand. How a woman moves, how she breathes, how she looks can make all the difference.

A video where someone says, "Step one – grab a hand, step two – roll," doesn't take into account the paralysis a woman might find herself in. Stress can make us forget everything. In a moment of direct attack or threat, our body enters a state of "freeze" – it's difficult to make any movement, let alone complex holds. Our voices tighten, our bodies stiffen, and although we know deep down we should scream, react, we're physically unable to.

That's why my friend, when he ran self-defense courses for women, focused mainly on teaching the skill of screaming despite a tight throat.

In a stressful situation, only what's in your muscles and in your head works. That's why in our courses we teach the simplest reflexes: knee, elbow, scream. But most importantly, we teach the courage to say "no," to walk away, to set boundaries.

We also teach women exactly this... how to scream.

No sound will escape from a panicky throat. This requires practice.