Background and Study Aim: The paper is based on the presumption that the probability of successful defence of a child against an adult attacker is influenced by diversity of variables with different predictive values. The aim of the study are the best predictors and their presumably impact on children’s chance to defend themselves.

Material and Methods: The research sample consisted of 48 students (40 female, 8 male) from three secondary schools. The average age was 16.6 years. Six self-defence experts performed ex-post evaluation of each video recorded scenario. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, classification trees C&RT and logistic regression were used for analysis.

Results: Correlation between increasing personal score obtained by evaluation of selected criteria and the probability of a successful defence was confirmed by the high correlation r_s = 0.735 significance level of p<0.05. Active defence, escape and technical means respectively, were found the best predictors out of the total number of six evaluation criteria. Communication and safe distance keeping varied in the fifth position depending on the selected statistical method. Guard position was found the weakest predictor.

Conclusions: There are 13.88 times higher odds of successful defence when children are dealing with an adult attacker actively. The activity should be aimed at looking for an escape route as there are 7.69 times higher odds of successful defence when the child is trying to escape. Finally, there are 3.75 times higher odds of successful defence when the child uses appropriate technical means to distract attacker’s attention