Archive for January 26th, 2010

Here is an alarming fact  from ABC News:

Some 1.9 million women are physically assaulted annually in the United States, and 15 percent to 25 percent of all American women will report a sexual attack or rape at some time in their lives, according to studies conducted by the Justice Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While there has been a great disadvantage of welcoming women into the workforce, and that spells equality rights for everyone, we must not disregard the specific needs of women as well. These are the right to a maternity leave with pay, a breastfeeding room/refrigerator for lactating mothers and occupational hazards or protection for them like womens work clothes or  womens boots especially if they work in the field.

These numbers are alarmingly high but as a woman, you do not need to panic as you can still protect yourself. You just have to be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts and be brave.

While traveling alone:
1. Make sure that what you wear is something you can run into. High heels and scarves are a hindrance to running if someone is attacking you. If you need to be in those kinds of outfit, consider dressing comfortably during traveling and changing once you are at your destination.

2. Make eye contact. Studies show that attackers go for women who are meek-looking. Making eye contact will give you a chance to possible scare an attacker or send a signal that you are someone who will most likely make a scene or fight back.

3. Be alert. It would not help if you are talking on your phone or listening to music with your headphones. Make sure that your hands are free just in case an attacker grabs you. It would be best to have a pepper spray in your bag, easily reached, at all times.

You can even use this, as this is a fashion accessory and a slight tactic to scare or surprise your attacker that you might be carrying a handgun. This mace gun retails for $51 at SafetyGirl.com and can spray up to 25 ft!