How Should a Woman Protect Herself?

Ruthanne

Ruthanne

Caregiver
Location
Midwest
Yes, this is about women but open for all thoughtful, considerate ideas for the help of us. Men, too, need protection but I have made this about women. Another thread about men could help the cause of men. These are broad topics and it is enough IMHO to concentrate on women in this thread, thank you.

Many woman, of course it could be said most women have been through something that has lead them to need to think twice about her protection. I am one of them.

What ideas do you have for women, without being offensive, do you honestly think will be helpful for us. I have been through counseling, defensive training, carry pepper spray, have many defensive ideas and tactics, and am now totally still paranoid as to what is the Total answer to it all.

So, I openly welcome your Well Thought Out and Helpful Ideas. If I don't reply openly here it is to give me time to think or more...I often give reps for replies.

Thank you in advance....:eek:...I still love people:playful:
 

I can't honestly reply. I cannot conceive of what would drive a man to commit the sexual taking of a unwilling a female. What pleasure could be taken from such an act. I would only suggest that making a loud protest might scare off the crazy bastard..
 

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AZ Jim said:
I can'y honestly reply. I cannot conceive of what would drive a man to commit the sexual taking of a unwilling a female. What pleasure could be taken from such an act. I would only suggest that making a loud protest might scare off the crazy bastard..
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Thank you. I would try it the next time...hopefully it may help someone :love_heart:
 
Ruthanne:hug:

Ive been through stages of where you are now?
What are your biggest fears?
Walking alone at night?
Travelling in your car?
Being at home alone?

Were you recently assaulted?
What made you post this?
 
A loud whistle can be a deterrent from trouble makers
A large well trained dog works well
Sharp pointy hair sticks
Pocket Knife
GPS on cell phone ... for emergency calls even if you are only pretending to use it
For making 911 calls
For making video or audio

It’s also really helpful to learn meditation or find a hobby that makes your heart sing again.
Get lost in an amazing book
Pamper yourself often
Walk tall with your head held high with fearless confidence even if you don’t have it. After a while you will.
 
Keesha said:
A loud whistle can be a deterrent from trouble makers
A large well trained dog works well
Sharp pointy hair sticks
Pocket Knife
GPS on cell phone ... for emergency calls even if you are only pretending to use it
For making 911 calls
For making video or audio

It’s also really helpful to learn meditation or find a hobby that makes your heart sing again.
Get lost in an amazing book
Pamper yourself often
Walk tall with your head held high with fearless confidence even if you don’t have it. After a while you will.
Click to expand...
Yep
 
Well Ruthanne, I can tell you what I do to try and stay safe. I always try to be aware of my surroundings, whether walking in the city or in the woods, I see if there's anyone around and then just observe them and make sure they're not a threat, usually if someone is walking by or hanging out, they're not looking to harm or bother anyone. I have no fear in making eye contact with someone and saying hi or nodding to them, have done it many times without incident.

I did take a few martial arts classes in my early 20s, but never became really skilled or practiced enough to even imagine I was anywhere near being an expert. But, I did learn some things to get away from someone or out of a hold they might have on me, luckily I never had to use any moves. I do carry pepper spray, mostly for coyotes, but will use it on people if I feel threatened. It's years old though, honestly, I'm not sure it will still give a good spray, may just drip out of the container. Time to replace it for sure.

I do know not to 'show my hand' if I am attacked by a man, I have no delusion that I would be stronger than him and be able to overtake him physically, especially at my age. But, there are things women can do, using their smarts to catch the attacker off-guard before taking any real action against him. I would never be obvious about what I planned to do, whether it's spray his eyes with pepper spray, poke his eyes with my thumbs in a serious way, kicking him in the groin, then following up with a rip to the eyes or knee to the head once he was bent over, etc.

In a serious situation like rape, I may play along until his guard was down, and then do something I think would work to disable him in any way. If someone is set on raping or killing me, I will absolutely fight for my life and will not give up. I have no fear or shyness about hurting a creep like that, or killing him if needed.

I think it's really hard to give particular advice on things like this, we have to act when the moment presents itself and go with our gut feelings for survival. If it's them or me and I have any choice in the matter, it will be them.

I also lock my car door now if I'm alone in a parking lot at night, I don't give anyone a chance to rush me and open my door. Years ago I never thought of such things, but watching the sick things that happen on the news, I like to try an avoid ever being a victim or statistic.
 
SeaBreeze said:
I think it's really hard to give particular advice on things like this, we have to act when the moment presents itself and go with our gut feelings for survival. If it's them or me and I have any choice in the matter, it will be them.
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As a thread with no specifics I think this part of your response makes the most sense.
 
What I feel very comfortable with is the fact that I did not mean this topic to be specifically about me, I am only an example, it is a problem that most women face or have been faced with and I am asking for answers for ALL of us. Thank you all. :love_heart::sentimental:
 
AZ Jim said:
I can'y honestly reply. I cannot conceive of what would drive a man to commit the sexual taking of a unwilling a female. What pleasure could be taken from such an act. I would only suggest that making a loud protest might scare off the crazy bastard..
Click to expand...

According to a psychiatrist I heard during an interview, rape has very little to do with sex. It involves a desire to hurt a woman.
 
Both men & women have to be constantly aware of their surroundings & not put themselves in potentially-risky situations. I'm a reasonably-able man & I avoid dark parking lots & I've also learned to keep an eye on homeless people, after two people were stabbed to death by homeless people recently. When out at night, I avoid stopping anywhere; I'll go directly home. I do all my walking during daylight. I'm really surprised at how many women will go for a stroll after dark - especially in a park. Something I would NEVER do. Not smart.

Self defense, pepper spray, defensive classes & similar things are OK....provided you acknowledge their limitations & remember that you are still out of the weight & strength category of most men. Fine, if that's all you have, The only weapon that puts a woman on par with a male attacker is a firearm. Think about it: The world's biggest, strongest & best professional (male) fighter would be utterly helpless against a 100-lb. woman with a gun.
 
Ruthanne said:
What I feel very comfortable with is the fact that I did not mean this topic to be specifically about me, I am only an example, it is a problem that most women face or have been faced with and I am asking for answers for ALL of us.
Click to expand...

I understood exactly what you meant in this thread, it's a generalization and it doesn't have to be about you at all. Women do face this problem during their lives, it's not uncommon. Good topic for discussion!

I'll add that if I'm alone at home and my husband is out of town, I'll take extra precautions in locking the back door at night, being sure everything's secure before I go to bed, etc. We have security doors and windows on our house, intalled them decades ago so when we went on vacation the house would be more secure. Also, when I was alone, I could peacefully leave the window open at night with no fear of anyone entering, also answer the front door and be able to talk with someone without giving them a chance to barge in. Of course, I always have a gun at the ready if needed, but over 40 years, I haven't needed to use it yet except for target practice.
 
Carrying a firearm would land me in prison. We aren’t even allowed to injure someone if they break into the house.
It’s a crazy law but that’s Canada.
 
SeaBreeze said:
I understood exactly what you meant in this thread, it's a generalization and it doesn't have to be about you at all. Women do face this problem during their lives, it's not uncommon. Good topic for discussion!

I'll add that if I'm alone at home and my husband is out of town, I'll take extra precautions in locking the back door at night, being sure everything's secure before I go to bed, etc. We have security doors and windows on our house, intalled them decades ago so when we went on vacation the house would be more secure. Also, when I was alone, I could peacefully leave the window open at night with no fear of anyone entering, also answer the front door and be able to talk with someone without giving them a chance to barge in. Of course, I always have a gun at the ready if needed, but over 40 years, I haven't needed to use it yet except for target practice.
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Keep that 38 close...who cane tell in this time and age.

Wouldn't it be so cool to be in a "place" where we did not need a thing and there was just a peacefullness that was really real
 
If…you’re caught unawares, anything with a pointed end, even a Bic pen, can be a formidable weapon.

Stab at any part of the person nearest you, arm/hand whatever, but aim for the face if and when you have that chance.
Don't quit stabbing.

Here, in the sticks, my wife carries a knife or revolver.
She walks 5 to 10 miles a day.
Nobody around.
But she’s aware and able if anyone or anything charges her
 
My Dad owned a bar years ago. One night the conversations turned to rape. Harvey a regular at the tavern said "I've told Marge if ever she is being raped rather than being hurt she should lie there and pretend she is enjoying it". She said (in response), "that will be easy, I've done it ever since we were married!"
 
Gary O' said:
If…you’re caught unawares, anything with a pointed end, even a Bic pen, can be a formidable weapon.

Stab at any part of the person nearest you, arm/hand whatever, but aim for the face if and when you have that chance.
Don't quit stabbing.
Click to expand...

Good advice Gary, the face is always good, especially the eyes. But as I mentioned before, try not to project your intended moves beforehand, giving him an chance to block or stop them. Catch him off-guard if possible.
 

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