The recently released 2011 Intimate Partner Abuse study conducted by the Center for Disease Control tells us that 1 out of every 6 women are stalked annually in the United States. So what can you do if you find yourself as a target of a stalker? • Clearly and firmly tell the stalker to leave you alone. Do not engage in any type of negotiation • Keep a log of all incidents – include time, date, what happened and any witnesses • Make multiple copies of any restraining order and keep a copy with you at all times • Keep …
DEFENSE AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT
You can never completely protect yourself from sexual assault, however you can reduce your risk by doing the following: • Develop a plan. Any plan you develop in advance (even if it is not the exact match for what happens) will be better than any plan you try to put together under stress. Having a game plan in place before you need one puts you ahead of the curve by giving you a starting point. • Be aware. Know how you will react when your instinct says “something is not right.” Never ignore your intuition. • Conquer Fear. Predators try …
Keeping An Eye Out For Sneakers ?
In response to our recent posting on the The Dangerous Thing Women Do, Sandy Long, author and professional long haul driver sent this back to us. We wanted to share her insights. “Because I travel to many locations, some of which can be questionable, I am often asked is “how do you know your are in a ‘bad’ neighborhood?” First it’s important to remember that criminal activity can happen anywhere. Some things to watch for are: protective gates on doors or windows, empty buildings and gang graffiti. When you combine that with people just standing around, chances are you …
Before You Carry Pepper Spray
Hi Dennis and Jen, I live in a safe neighborhood and always careful when traveling or shopping. Not long ago, as I was getting my car, I was suddenly and brutally attacked from behind by a large male in his late 20’s or early 30′s. I am a professional 45 year old married woman who thought I was prepared. Spraying him with a can a pepper spray I was shocked when he simply turned his head and kept coming. A tall thin man he hit me repeatedly with his fists. I don’t know how I got there but when I …
The Dangerous Thing Women Do
Depending on location, time of day or the time of year, the outcome of your actions can be life threatening. This is not something that may happen to you. This is something that will happen to you and to everyone you love. Fortunately, a bit of planning and preparation can dramatically change the outcome of your unplanned adventure. How many times have you seen a family member jump in a car and leave the house with little or no money, no coat or cell phone? How many times have you seen a member of your family “ just run out …
The Paradox of Women’s Self-Defense
HI DENNIS AND JEN, I wanted to share this story with you. I was living in San Francisco with a friend having left my hometown to be out on my own. One day I met a man while at a cafe. He made me feel very comfortable and we began a conversation. Knowing I was new to the area he suggested visiting Golden Gate Park. When we got on the bus, the first thing I should have noticed, (first warning) was the bus driver kept looking in his rear view mirror at us. When we got off the bus, the driver …
Criminal Attack Foiled by Blinds
A while back Susan W. discovered that words and attitude matter. Stopping a crime before it happens is always better than trying to come up with a plan while facing an attacker. Here is her personal story. Hi Dennis and Jen: I agree on the confronting and yelling. I came home from work one night at around 2 a.m. and went right to bed. I lie there in bed and started falling asleep and then heard a noise outside my bedroom window. I listened intently until I determined that someone was opening the window. There were blinds over the window …
Keeping Your Home Safe When You’re On Vacation
If anything can go wrong, it usually happens while you are away on vacation. So here a few preventative measures that can keep your home safe while on vacation: Short of fire, nothing causes more damage to the inside of a property than leaking water. It is estimated that 65% of property damage is caused by water leaking from failing pipes, hoses, plumbing fixtures and appliances. Before you leave, turn off the water supply to items like washing machines, bathrooms and more. Ask a friend or relative to check your house while you are away. Give them a key so …
