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Feeling Less Safe in San Francisco? What the City's Stalled Sexual Assault Cases Mean, and How Self-Defense Training Can Help

Self-defenseAB Mixed Martial Arts · October 18, 2026

This week, a lot of people in San Francisco are talking about one report. On October 16, 2026, the San Francisco Standard published an investigation into how the San Francisco Police Department handles sexual assault cases, and the numbers are hard to read.

What the report found

• Between January and June 2026, 170 survivors went through a sexual assault forensic exam in San Francisco.
• By October, SFPD had made 11 arrests tied to those cases, and only one was being prosecuted as a sexual assault.
• On average, cases waited about 31 days before being assigned to an investigator, while SFPD's own policy calls for 48 hours.
• The Special Victims Unit went from 72 staff members in 2019 to 38 in October 2026.

At a Board of Supervisors hearing on October 8, Police Chief Derrick Lew apologized and committed to reforms, including adding at least five investigators to the unit by the end of the year, more supervision, trauma-informed training and annual case audits.

First: if this happened to you, it is not your fault

No class, technique or choice makes anyone responsible for being assaulted. Responsibility always belongs to the person who caused harm. If you or someone you love needs support, these services are free and confidential:

• San Francisco Women Against Rape, 24-hour crisis line: (415) 647-7273
• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline, 24/7: 1-800-656-4673
• The City of San Francisco lists survivor services at sf.gov.
• In an emergency, call 911.

Where self-defense training fits

Self-defense is not a guarantee, and it is not the answer to a broken investigation system. What it can give you is something many of our students describe after only a few weeks: a calmer mind under pressure and a clear plan for what to do if someone grabs you.

Good self-defense training focuses on three things:

1. Awareness and boundaries. Noticing early warning signs, using your voice, and creating distance before anything gets physical.
2. Escapes, not fights. Most real situations involve grabs, pushes and being pinned, not punches. The goal is to break free and get away safely.
3. Staying calm on the ground. This is where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shines. You learn how to protect yourself, create space and stand back up, even against someone bigger and stronger.

Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu works for smaller people

BJJ was built on leverage and technique instead of strength. That is why it is one of the most practical options for women and smaller adults. You practice with real resistance, at a controlled pace, so the movements become automatic. That is very different from watching a video once.

At AB Mixed Martial Arts, beginner classes break every technique down step by step, partners are matched by size and experience, and there is no ego on the mat. As one of our students, Daphne, wrote in her Google review: "I was very surprised at the end of my first class how supportive and encouraging everyone was to a newbie's process and first day."

What your first class looks like

• A coach welcomes you and explains everything before you start.
• A light warm-up for every fitness level.
• Basic escapes from common grabs, practiced slowly with a partner.
• Time for questions. No pressure to sign up.

Wear comfortable workout clothes and bring water. Your first class is free, and you can bring a friend.

Common questions

I have zero experience and I'm not in shape. Can I still start?
Yes. Most of our students started with no experience. Classes are built for every fitness level.

Will I get hurt?
Safety comes first. Training is controlled, partners are matched by size and level, and coaches watch every round.

Is self-defense training a substitute for reporting or getting support?
No. Training is about prevention, confidence and getting away. Survivors deserve full support and a complete investigation, and the resources above are there for that.

Sources

• The San Francisco Standard: 170 rape kits, 1 rape prosecution (October 16, 2026)
• San Francisco Women Against Rape
• sf.gov: Help for sexual assault victims in San Francisco