| If you have read our previous article on this topic, | | | | go to the store at night when the parking lot is dark |
| you know how common it is for women to be | | | | and empty, don’t be afraid to ask an employee |
| assaulted or raped by their friends, associates, even | | | | to escort you to your car. |
| their lover or their spouse. Those cases of assault | | | | - |
| are often unforeseen and self defense techniques | | | | - While driving, always lock your doors. |
| are necessary. However, women can also be very | | | | Never pull over if someone in another car comes |
| vulnerable to assault by strangers, and this can largely | | | | along-side you and tries to signal to you, wait until |
| be prevented by understanding high risk situations, | | | | the nearest populated place, like a gas station or rest |
| making the right choices, and sometimes following | | | | area, if you want to check your car. Try to park |
| your gut instinct when something doesn’t feel | | | | near an entrance or exit in a parking garage or |
| right! | | | | parking lot. Always let friends and family know where |
| | | | | you are going and the route you are taking to get |
| Women can indeed have uncanny intuition and | | | | there. Never EVER pick up a hitch-hiker or stop to |
| instincts at times and listening to it can pay off in | | | | help someone who seems to have car trouble, just |
| dangerous situations. Think about it… How many | | | | call the police to assist them. If you suspect |
| times has it crossed your mind “If only I had | | | | you’re being followed, do NOT drive to your |
| listened to my gut”? I’m sure we can all | | | | home or stop in a desolate area, call the police or |
| recall at least a few incidents in the course of our | | | | drive to the closest police station. |
| lives where we have done something, against our | | | | - |
| better judgment and instinct, and later said that very | | | | - When jogging or walking, try to stay |
| thing. If something suddenly tells you to look around, | | | | in bright and open areas. Avoid passing too close to |
| walk faster, or run, you need to listen to it! The | | | | big bushes, dark doorways, alleys, vans or high |
| worst thing that can happen in this situation is that | | | | vehicles. Don’t wear headphones. Try to take |
| you might look very odd to strangers, but it could | | | | someone with you whenever possible, find a jogging |
| very well save your life. If you have an instinct not | | | | partner, and walk to and from your car with |
| to enter a building, leave a building, round a corner, | | | | co-workers. Vary your routines. If you think |
| follow that intuition! | | | | someone is following you, look at them and do it |
| | | | | often, show them that you are aware. |
| There are countless safety tips to help women | | | | - |
| understand high-risk situations and prevent | | | | - Before getting into your car, look |
| unnecessary vulnerability; I’ll try to sum up as | | | | inside and look under your car and the ones parked |
| many as I can: | | | | next to yours before you approach. Have your keys |
| | | | | ready before you get to your vehicle or your home. |
| - Always be aware of your | | | | Before getting out of your vehicle, and before |
| surroundings. It may look strange to be constantly | | | | getting a child out of the back seat, look around, |
| glancing in all directions, but paying attention to your | | | | note anyone nearby and make sure you are safe. |
| immediate environment is of the utmost importance. | | | | You are especially vulnerable while leaning into the |
| Try to look at people’s faces whenever possible, | | | | back of your car and when your hands are full. If |
| rather than their clothes. Possible attackers may also | | | | there are signs of entry when you get home, do |
| be deterred from approaching someone who appears | | | | NOT go inside. |
| aware of what’s going on, they want to catch | | | | - |
| someone off-guard. | | | | - While “out on the town,” |
| - | | | | attach yourself to friends, agree to watch over each |
| - Routines are a stalker’s best | | | | other. Never leave your drink unattended, attackers |
| friend. Try to change yours whenever possible, it will | | | | can easily get their hands on a date rape drug. |
| make it harder for a possible attacker to predict | | | | Don’t get intoxicated. Have fun, but keep a clear |
| where you are going to be at any time. | | | | head. Never leave with a stranger, or even a drunk |
| - | | | | male acquaintance. Ask your friends if you can leave |
| - Don’t assume you will be safe in | | | | together, or if you must leave alone ask an |
| public places. Laundromats, bus stops, parking lots, | | | | employee to walk you out (like a bouncer). |
| even public restrooms can be targeted by attackers | | | | |
| as places to find vulnerable victims. Go during busier | | | | Your brain is an attacker’s worst enemy. Be |
| hours when there are more people around even if | | | | smart. Be informed. Be confident. Be careful. Be |
| it’s uncomfortable or crowded. Choose a more | | | | prepared. And be ready to defend yourself! |
| populated bus stop whenever possible. If you must | | | | |