Keeping Safe

[Eve]

I found out last night that there is a serial sex attacker on the loose locally, in additional to another rapist who has also been striking nearby, was on Crimewatch the other month.

He struck 6 times last month including in the next street to me which is my route home every night. It's scary to think if I'd not popped into the office after a work night I'd have been there round the time he struck and could have been me.

A friend of mine got chased after a night out a month or so ago and a friend of hers got grabbed a week or so after that.

Just seems like there are so many sick people about. With the arthritis and currently post minor surgery I'm not best placed for running or fighting anyone off and can't help but feel quite vulnerable at the moment.

Am doing what I can to keep safe, my friend gave me an attack alarm earlier and I have a bodyspray in my bag though I do partly worry about the possible repercussions of carrying anything which could do much damage these days. I've heard alarms are more often than not ignored these days and to shout fire or blow a whistle, go for the groin etc...

Any more tips welcome!

[boxtops]

If you have an alarm which makes an extremely loud noise, it not only alerts anyone else but it distracts the attacker - and don't forget the power of the human voice, a very loud shourt of Help! Help! or a few full-blown screams can have the same effect. Whatever you do (and God forbid it happens) make a noise. See if you can get a pepper spray if they are still legal - or even a small can of spray paint - and keep it in your pocket.

[237SJ]

They say that if you walk in a stridant, purposeful way you are less likely to be attacked. Keep near the streetlamps. A personal attack alarm can give you a few seconds to make an escape. I think pepper sprays (Mace) might be illegal in the uk.
At work we have had courses on Breakaway techniques. I`m not sure how many organisations get involved in these but if you work in a large organisation, you might want to raise that issue.

[tamborine]

grab a stick to poke his eyes, then a good kick in the goolies should bring him down.

[society]

Illegal or not keep the mace handy, you have to protect yourself. Stay safe.

[RainbowPrism]

I am being serious when Sandra Bullock who quoted this from 'Miss Congenialtiy' :-

God forbid, but if you get grabbed from behind - Just SING

Solar Plexus
Instep
Nose
Groin

Or a sharp poke in the eye with a finger or ring or a knuckle.

If anyone is held captive or driven somewhere under kidnapping, LEAVE AS MUCH OF YOUR DNA AS POSSIBLE on them/their car, clothes, BITE YOUR ATTACKER, SPIT ON THEM, SCRATCH THEM, PULL THEIR HAIR, ANYTHING FOR EVIDENCE....easier said than done as no one knows how they will react if attacked, I dont want anyone to have to find out either.

[237SJ]

As I said before, check out Breakaway. If your company doesn`t do it, see if you can find somewhere where you can learn the techniques. My company does it in conjunction with the Met Police.

[ethandron]

jem, refuse to allow the bu@@ers intimidate you, that's the best thing. if you feel and act confident, then it comes across. remember you're most unlikely to be the victim of an attack, and you seem to have taken most sensible precautions.

[boxtops]

Yes it's true what others say - apparently if you slink along and look vulnerable, you are. Stride as purposefully as possible, keep your keys in your pocket - a key as a self-defence weapon can be quite useful.

[RainbowPrism]

Echoing 237SJ's comments, at night, obviously if its quiet and not many cars about, walk in the middle of the road, keep to well lit areas where possible. If you suspect you are being followed, just run to the nearest front door if you are in a built up area.....oh and another tip, keep a bunch of keys in your hand...with a key 'stalk' poking out between your fingers, again if attacked, you can stab them in the face with it ! Gruesome ...but this is all Ive been told throughout my life so far...

[daffy654]

Carry a handbag sized Elnette hairspray rather than body spray, it stings much worse and may even stick his eyelashes together briefly, giving you extra time to get away. Vary your route when walking home from anywhere, but always stay on or near busy roads if possible.

[Eve]

Thank you all.

I always keep my keys and phone in my pocket so close to hand and tend to keep my bag closed up to avoid being robbed after my phone disappearing on a bus and someone catching someone trying to get into my bag at the bus stop. Might get a "spare" key which isn't a house key so I don't worry about losing the key to get me indoors.

I wouldn't even know where to get mace from and I thought it was illegal but will check it out.

I only work for a very small company but will look into self defence techniques. Saying that, when I was younger some of the lads showed me that they could overpower me very easily to prove a point about being more careful when out and about at night (the student days of feeling less destructible!).

I remember an incident a few years back when I was walking up to home when a guy leapt out of a load of trees at the side of a park at me in a hoodie like he was going to attack. It worried me how scared I felt, actually froze for a minute then started to run in a complete panic. Turned out to be my idiot of a housemate at the time (moved out shortly after!) who thought it was really funny. I think the way that panicked me makes me less certain how I'd react.

Similarly in a former flat. Some nutter tried to get in in the early hours a couple of times and it terrified me and was too scared to even ring the police until I knew they had gone away from the door a bit (kept going up the corridor then coming back) so they couldn't hear I was in there and tried harder to get in.

I think it scares me how I'd react in a panic. Hopefully with things to hand I'll be more prepared, keys in hand, alarm in pocket etc... and just being on guard generally.

I spoke to one of the near neighbours earlier so he could warn his girlfriend and he was lovely and said if ever I feel worried about anything, especially as I live alone, to just knock on so t

[tamborine]

we had stilletos - very useful to stab heads. A long, steel pointed umbrella, scissors in hand ?

[Sqad]

Can women do anything else to help?
Could dressing more appropriately help?
Could men control their hormonal instincts?

The first is the implications of modern female skimpy dresses and the second is the crime of rape.Both issues are related in very complex ways but each deserves its own level-headed and informed consideration.
One only has to go into a city centre on a weekend and see the provocative dress and antics of some women and it makes one wonder how rape is not MORE common.

Women are free to dress, however they want but they should be reminded that we live in a society where a woman's style of dress speaks volumes about her and sends subtle messages to the opposite sex. Very often the females cannot be blamed for the messages misread by the males and sometimes the males allow their cruel and perverted selves to get the better of them after misreading the females' dress message

Just a thought on the very real and vile subject of rape.


It is a very complex matter that cannot be solved by Sunday morning sound bites nor fiery feminism. In fact, there are at least two big issues at stake here.

[boxtops]

Morning sqad - I understand what you are saying, but that doesn't explain the perversion of attacking older ladies in sensible coats - or indeed breaking into grannies' flats and raping them. Being attacked on the way home is a terrifying prospect whether you are in half-naked party gear at 20 or in a tweedy suit at 55.

[ummmm]

Generally rape is not about sex Sqad. So it wouldn't matter how a woman was dressed...

[Sqad]

boxtops...good morning my love............indeed it doesnt and I was only adding another prospective to a complicated issue.

[Sqad]

ummmm....it is a combination of sex and power. In my opinion, one cannot exclude the part played by women by inappropriate dress.........however small the contribution.

[Barmaid]

Your keys placed between your knuckles can deliver a nasty wound. Never mind going for his groin - go for the knee cap (its easier to hit and almost just as painful). And make lots of noise.

However Jenna, sounds to me like you are very aware which is the first important thing.

[sara3]

Jenna, if you're ever afraid, knock on any door where there's a light on in the house.

and when you go in your own house, shout "hello" like there's someone else in.

as Barmaid said, carry your keys splayed between your fingers.

the most important thing (in my opinion) is to not be walking around on your own if you don't need to.