Safety for Women

Years ago, back in my first life, I was on my way home from work one evening and stopped at a C store for coffee.  The place had a tiny parking lot, but a small field next to it that ended with a road.  I parked on the road.  Coming back out and walking to my car, I was grabbed from behind.  I acted on pure instinct...I HATE when someone gets in my personal space and I HATE being touched by someone I don't know.  He grabbed and I spun around FAST, threw my coffee at his face area and followed with one hell of a clawing to the face.  Of course when I actually noticed that his PANTS were down, I gave him a good swift kick and started screaming blue murder.  Why I didn't scream earlier I'm not sure...guess that I was too busy dealing with the situation to think to scream.  It was AFTER he ran off, after the crowd of people came running that I saw the knife laying in the grass and realized that I was bleeding a little from where the knife had grazed my arm.  The police did catch the guy (thanks to the gouges in his face and the burns on the throat he was easy to ID) and the DA wanted to charge him with assault and attempted armed robbery......however, I insisted that they add attempted rape.  Most robbers do NOT feel the need to open their trousers to rob!
 
I got really lucky that time, but it also taught me to trust my instincts in a bad situation.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Most robbers do NOT feel the need to open their trousers to rob!

I found that...surprisingly funny. ^^
 
Ah, but this was all very useful. I think most of this I would have done by instinct or knowledge, including the zig-zag running (I watch the Discovery Channel. ^^). I'm too young to drive, but there have been very young girls raped, and I'm paranoid enough as it is (76%, according to a personality test I took). I wouldn't have thought to gun the car, probably... I mean, what if it's a really EXPENSIVE car? Who wants to wreck a Lamborghini? Ah, but that aside...
 
I convinced myself a year or so ago that if something like that ever happens to me, that I'd either run or fight back, depending on if they're armed or not, and if so, what with. If it's a knife, I can pull out a switchblade and duel with the,. ^^ [/lie]

Gunning the engine won't likely hurt the car but it MIGHT attract attention.  And honestly, I wouldn't care WHAT kind of car I ruined.  That's what insurance is for.

Glenda I am in awe of you! Right on for resisting that guy!!!

This has been a great thread for learning new things. I never knew you could kick out the tail light of a car, but what a absolutely brilliant idea! My only thought is that it would show on the dashboard when you did it, the LIGHT light would go on. So you'd have to be sure to do it when you were still in traffic, not when he'd already driven you out to the middle of nowhere. You want to be seen before he catches on...

I like the idea of a non-traditional weapon, and the length of cable is a great idea, thanks.

I heard a story of a woman who, when threatened by an attacker, dropped to all fours, started growling and eating grass, dropped her panties and pooped. The rapist ran away. I guess raping crazy people doesn't fit the plan, eh?

Oh I like your story MUCH better than mine!!
 
Honestly Jean, had I had even a second to think I probably would have been too afraid to do a thing.  But he P'd me off by grabbing hold of me.  Everyone in my family knows that unless you want a very sharp elbow to the gut, you do not come up behind and GRAB me.....I don't know why I'm like that, but that is my FIRST reaction every time.
 
I decked my ex in a very public place at a broadcasters convention once too....he put his hands on me and I told him NOT to touch me (he was already my ex) and he did it again....instinct kicked in and down he went.  That's gotta be at least 20 years ago and I STILL hear about THAT one!

When my wife and I were living in Bloomington Indiana she was attacked while out for a run. 
 
She was running near one of the lakes on a trail and our Rott, Toby, was about 100 yards behind her doing what dogs do.  The man grabbed her and tackled her.  She screamed and cried for the help.  Toby came out of the woods and viciously attacked the guy.  He required several hundred stitches after the attack.  Mostly across his face, throat, and back of his neck.  My wife came out pretty well. She had a few bites (Toby was still young and not very accurate in his bite work yet), but no real injuries from the attacker.
 
The man was arrested for assault, and got next to no punishment. Apparently, the "attack" was some how related to fraternity pledging. He will, however, remember that day every time that he looks at his now mangled face in the mirror for the rest of his life. I hope the frat was worth it.
 
God I love dogs.

Mic,

That's awful!~  What kind of a "prank" is that?  Was he just trying to scare her or something?  Serves him right.  Good for Toby!!

My understanding was they wanted to see if he would get beat up by a girl.  I wasn't allowed to "speak" with him so I never got the specific details.
 
I did get some bitchin pictures of him though.  As sick as it may sound, I couldn't help but smile. 

More tips:
 
4 years ago, I was out with my parents at the mall. We were milling around when I noticed that a *creepy* looking guy just kept milling around me in a store. I went to another store, and there he was again! By this time, my mom, whom was with me, noticed him too, so we went straight to where my dad was. My dad kinda of scared him off by starting to walk toward him while looking him in the eye... But about a half hour later, he was at it again and I was alone in a store. I found my parents and we left (note, the entire time he had bought nothing). We stopped at the grocery store about 5 miles away from the mall. I didn't go in, but my parents did. They came out, and told me he was in this store as well. As we were pulling out, he started the car and was going to follow us; I however, learned a quick lesson thanks to my dad. He pretended to leave the lot, but quickly pulled into another spot and turned off the light and the engine. The stalker just kept driving by, but gave us the opportunity to get his plate numbers. We called the police later, and, apparently, he had a history. Even after I though it was safe, I didn't sleep well and kept my .22 rifle next to my bed with the clip on my nightstand.
 
Anyway, my point is, if you think someone is following you, do not drive home.
 
I'm still paranoid about the whole thing now, but I think it's a very good to be that way. Ignorance isn't always bliss. I trust my gut instincts about people a whole lot more and pay attention to whose following me while I'm driving.

I did get some bitchin pictures of him though.  As sick as it may sound, I couldn't help but smile. 

I don't blame you one bit. 

I just want to add in a tip that is recommended for kids who are smaller and lighter than their attackers.  It works fantastic for adults and has been used successfully in saving a woman's life against a GROUP of men.  Passive resistance.  Several men tried to drag off a woman to another location.  She simply latched onto a sign pole and sat down with her legs wrapped around it.  Not one of the attackers could pry her off the pole and they left because their plan was not working and was taking too long.  You can also do the samething with the attacker and that is slide down his body with your arms up to make yourself longer and hard to hold onto.  Once you hit the ground wrap your legs around his legs. (at his ankles)   Now that you have turned the tables, proceed to bite the crap out of his calves, or reach up and manually remove his outer plumbing.  He will be very eager to leave.  This in on videos for children against attackers.  This has been used b/c of the size difference between an adult and a child and how an adult is so much more stronger, it is harder for a child to fight back.  Kids are taught (well most of them) to never strike an adult so at a critical time they have to overcome all the ingrained teaching to defend themselvs.  One of the best things you can do is to plan well in advance what you would do in any given situation against an attacker.  It will help you be more automatic.  With no advance planning, you have less chance of an automatic battle plan to use. We seldom think to watch kid's videos regarding stranger danger but they are extremely appropriate for adults.  You never know what useful tip will save your life.    Jules

Ron, I was watching a documentary the other week, about a guy who had been a 2 time world champion in some martial arts discipline.  He was quite a bit older now and trying to make a comeback.  I don't remember the details, but I do remember that he seemed to be a very humble guy.  For example, he said about his art, "I have never been in a street fight so I don't know if this stuff works or not."  Struck me as funny.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

at a broadcasters convention

 
Your ex was in broadcasting and, I THINK you have said that your current SO is in radio?  Is there an interesting story there you wanna share with the class?  []

Nah, not really Billy. Nothing nefarious!  The first was a tv reporter when he could keep a job.  DH is in radio.  I left the DC area to get away from the ex who wouldn't leave me alone.....took a job selling radio in Savannah and met the DH almost 24 years ago.  At the time of the convention the ex, who changed jobs more frequently than most guys change underwear (wives too for that matter) was working for one of the radio trade mags and just there more than anything to irritate me.  He happened to live in the city where the convention was held and was PO'd that I didn't bring the kids to see him when A) he'd said he had to work the entire convention and B) the youngest DS had broken his arm a week or so before and the doc said NO travel...car or plane would be too uncomfortable for him.  So he was out for blood, and he got some....his own!! teehee!!

Mic, your dog's response was great!  Imagine that guy's surprise when he saw that dog coming at him!  People used to tell me I had a great guardian when walking Tonka - he looked so intimidating.  However, I think he was too gentle and sweet to attack someone, even if they tried to hurt one of us or broke into the house.  Thankfully, we never had to find out what he would've done.  
 
Not all dogs think "protecting" = "attacking."   My sister had a friend in college who was attacked while walking her dog in Boston.  The man dragged her into a secluded alley and raped her.  Her dog sat right by her head and licked her face the whole time - didn't bark or go near the attacker.  His instict was to comfort her rather than hurt him.  Guess it depends on the individual dog.