KILLER INSTINCT

It's not the size of the woman in the fight but the size of the fight in the woman.

- MELISSA SOALT

At 5 feet 3 inches and 115 pounds, "Kathleen" can attest to that. When she was assaulted by a knife-wielding rapist, it was her animal-like determination to not be raped or killed, coupled with a no-holds-barred willingness to do the unthinkable, that saved her life. While she fought for control of the knife, another assailant's finger slipped into her mouth.

Terrified and mad as hell, Kathleen clamped down on the intrusive digit.

"I felt my teeth go through his bone," she recounted. "I was so enraged that I went primal. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't fight like an animal." Whether they are black belts or pacifists, female assault survivors all attest that once an attack is under way and escape is no longer an option, hitting the "on" switch is the single most important strategy you can employ to defend yourself. You become the predator. No matter which technique you use, ruthlessly attack his targets like a lioness. When uncorked, killer instinct can transform you into a formidable fighter

Contrary to the myth that you'll only get hurt worse if you fight back, research shows that resisting is effective, particularly when it comes to thwarting a sexual assault. Case in point: The only woman to escape serial rapist Ted Bundy was the one who fought back.

Unfortunately, there is virtually no correlation between what you learn in the average dojo and the horror you'll experience on the street if you have to defend yourself for real. Even a seemingly low-level assault such as a grab, an uninvited sexual advance or an angry shove can escalate into a violent encounter. An assailant will use his greater size and strength to close the distance, then employ techniques such as pins, chokes, slaps and stunning blows. During a sexual attack, you may be brutally slammed or forced to the ground and barraged with vile language - another weapon sexual predators use to break you on the inside.