Rape and assaults remain one of the number one criminal offences in America today. In light of sexual assault awareness month in April I have decided to pass along a few simple safety tips for women and girls. I think that it is important to read the following it will only take a moment of your time and it is your safety we are talking about.
Things women and girls should know to keep themselves safe. Once again please take the time to read these few simple pointers. There may just be one or two you may have not thought of. After reading, please take the time to forward it off to someone you care about. It never hurts to be too careful in this crazy world we live in today.
Tips:
1. This tip comes from Tae Kwon Do: the elbow is the strongest point on your body, if you are close enough to use, do it.
2. If a robber asks for your purse, Do Not Hand it to Him. Toss it away from you…he is probably more interested in your purse than you and he will go for the purse. Run Like Crazy in the Other Direction!
3. If you are ever thrown in the trunk of a car, kick out the rear tail lights and start waving your hand, the driver will not see you but everybody else will. This particular tip has saved lives.
4. As women we have a tendency to get into our cars after shopping, eating, working, ect., and just sit maybe doing our check book or fiddling with our bags or purse. Do Not Do This! A predator could be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in the car on the passenger side and attack you. As soon as you get into your car lock the doors and leave.
5. Here are a few notes about getting into your car in a parking garage:
A. Be aware: look around you, look into your car at the passenger side floor and the back seat.
B. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most attackers surprise their victims by pulling them into their vans while the woman is attempting to get into their cars.
C. Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car you may want to walk back into the shop, or work and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. It is always better to be safe than sorry. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone (and the perfect crime spot.)
7. If a predator has a gun and you are not under their control, Always Run! A predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times and even then it most likely will not be a vital organ. So run!
8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic, stop it! It may get you raped or killed. Ted Bunday, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who always played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked “for help” into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another safety point: There was a report that someone heard a crying baby on their porch one night and the owner of the home called the police due to it being late she thought it was rather odd. The police told her whatever you do, do not open the door. The lady continued to explain that it sounded like the cry was coming from directly outside her window and was worried that the baby may crawl out into the street. The police reassured the caller that a cruiser was in route and to not open the door. Upon arriving there was no baby and the police continued to explain that they feel a predator has a baby’s cry recorded and uses the recording to lure women out of their homes when they are alone stating they have had several calls from women repeating the same story of a baby crying.
10. Final last point: do not ever pull over in a secluded road or any road for an unmarked police car, go to a well lighted, populated place or the closes highway patrol or police station while of course obeying all traffic laws you may even want to call the station ahead of time and make them aware of what you are doing.
I hope you find these tips helpful and pray that no one that reads these fall into a position were they are absolutely needed. Please encourage others to read man, women or teens; a candle is not dimmed by lighting another. I realize it states tips for women and girls but I encourage men to read also so that they may be able to pass it on to the women and girls in their lives that they love and want to keep safe.
Please remember sexual assault awareness month is in April, please contact your local rape crisis center to see how you can help spread the word about sexual violence and just maybe one day we will not need these tips, until than please share.
