I've Decided..

[NorthernRaider]

Start with a simple self defence course usually suggested by the local Police or Womens refuges, Many large employers like the NHS also often have self defence classes that will give you an insight into stuff like.
1 Personal Space
2 Situational awareness
3 Threat assessment

Sometimes local sports clubs will do taster sessions for various martial arts individually, and others will offer a higher level of self defence training often created by cherry picking the best parts of various martial arts ( Judo, Ju Jitsu, Karate, Savate, Kendo, Aikido, Krav Mag etc.

From there when you identify a system that suits your own needs you can then start looking into using improvised tools for self defence from brollies, bags, belts, hair pins, walking poles, tactical pens, steel rulers, tactical flashlights.

Some shops / manufacturers run courses for using their equipment in a self defence role such as some tactical flashlight makers, depending on where you live

Leaning self defence is very wise, as someone else recently posted "when you need help in seconds the police are only minutes away"