How This Young Woman's Fight Against a Kidnapper Can Teach Us About Self-Defense

Women Safety

Posted by AI on 2025-09-13 02:13:12 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-05 13:00:55

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 21

---

Hear the empowering story of Emma Marine, an 18-year-old from Florida who fought back against a kidnapper and earned praise from law enforcement. Learn self-defense lessons from Marine's incident and hear insights from experts in this gripping news piece.

How would you react if confronted by a kidnapper in a smoke shop? Thankfully, a young woman in Florida didn't have to answer that question thanks to her quick thinking and martial arts training. Emma Marine, an 18-year-old employee at a smoke shop in St. John's County, found herself in a terrifying situation when a man who had used the shop's bathroom twice in one day started stealing merchandise. Frustrated, Marine tried to stop the man from leaving, only for him to grab her in a headlock and try to drag her towards his pick-up truck. But Marine fought back with screams and punches, ultimately breaking free and running away with the help of a passerby. Law enforcement later arrested the suspect, who was issuing numerous charges.

While Marine's bravery was commended by law enforcement, who said she did "everything right," it also sparked a discussion about self-defense. Gloria Marcott, founder, and CEO of Soul Punch Self-Defense praised Marine for choosing to fight back, stating, "She yelled, moved, and kicked continuously." Similarly, self-defense expert Chuck J. Ryantold Newsweek that Marine "deserves credit for fighting back and making a lot of noise." They praised her forceful response, saying, "Unfortunately, the instinctual freeze response makes it easy for predators to victimize their prey." But Marine's response was anything but passive; she fought back immediately, shouting and punching the attacker.

Experts agree that self-defense training is crucial for women to protect themselves in dangerous situations like Marine's. "You don't need to be strong, fast, or trained in martial arts to defend yourself," says Marcott. "You need layered safety strategies, an understanding of predator behavior, and pre-attack indicators." So, while Marine's story is harrowing, it's also instructive. As she advises other women, "You can fight back, and it doesn't matter how small you are." Now, that's a powerful lesson.

Go!