In light of recent attacks and assaults, it wouldn't hurt for women to look into a self-defense class. But do your research first. Some courses can be more costly than effective.

"This common sense (in assault prevention) is available if you find a course that can tell you what is going on, what has happened to women in the past, what the trends are and what do to about it," said Steve McLaughlin, professor of DanZan Ryu JuJitsu who has been teaching self-defense and assault prevention for women since 1992. "Most women want to do something, they just don't know how."

Here are some of his suggestions: