Security World News » Safety For Women

How to Help Victims Rehabilitate from Sexual Abuse

Cristiano Ronaldo — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:23:48 +0000

Rape is one of the most inhumane acts and no one deserves to go through it. Every year, there are tens of thousands of women who are sexually assaulted worldwide. The most unfortunate thing is that, over 80 percent of people who are sexually abused are assaulted by persons they are familiar with. Without proper rehabilitation, a rape victim may never recover.

After being sexually assaulted, survivors might be openly distressed, even agitated, or they might be dazed and appear quite calm. As such, it is crucial that you help such victims by being able to meet their immediate requirements. You can do this by:

- Getting for them medical help.

- Making them feel secure.

Rape is a hurtful intrusion on an individual. It is usually very hard for victims of rape to be alone, particularly in the days following the act.

- Believing in their story.

It is quite rare to hear that someone has feigned being raped. Hence, if a colleague, friend or family member tells you that they have been raped, you need to believe them.

- Telling them that it was not their fault.

At times victims of rape believe that they should have done something to prevent the act from occurring. This in turn leads to a deep sense of guilt. Consequently, you need to reassure them that the act was in no way their fault.

- Helping them to gain back control in their lives.

Rape can take away someone’s self-worth. As such, they end up feeling worthless. This is the main reason why a number of rape victims sink into depression or commit suicide. Helping rape victims to regain control of their lives is the most challenging part of the recovery process.

How can you lend a helping hand?

You can assist a rape victim by:

- Offering them a listening ear. Do not judge them in anyway. You are not the police, and as such it is not in your place to compel a rape victim to substantiate his or her story. Whatever they tell you, accept it as the entire truth.

- Provide them a shelter. As pointed out earlier, rape victims find it quite hard to stay alone. Hence, you need to provide them an alternative place to stay as their previous environment only acts to remind them of the evil deed that was done to them.

- Make time for them. It is a well-known fact that victims of rape usually want someone to talk to at the strangest hours. This could be in the middle of the night. If you are not there for them at that particular moment, you may miss on an opportunity to hear them out.

- Being a source of comfort.

Normally, when someone is raped by a person they know such as an uncle, brother, cousin, or friend who is an upstanding member of the community, the story is usually swept under the rug. This is the worst thing that you can do to a victim of sexual assault. By disregarding their story, you are in fact driving them to solitude, and even suicide.

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Visible signs of sexual abuse on young women

Cristiano Ronaldo — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:37:53 +0000

The world that we live in is full of opportunist people. The most vulnerable is the young women and female children. It is said one out of eight children in America is sexually abused. The worst part is, children are often abused by the people they know or family members, who threaten them badly!

Most often it takes a long time for the child to revolt openly and tell her pains. Till then maybe she has been abused several times. So it is the mother’s responsibility to find out what is going on with her daughter. Know about the visible signs of sexual abuse on young women. We will first discuss the psychological and then physical impacts of abuse.

The first sign of violence against your daughter is avoiding company. She will abhor the company of family and friends. Feeling ashamed is the first sign of abuse and she will tend to stay away from company. She may show terrible mood swings and be rude or rough. Some abused children tend to express their anger on the pets. Aggressive behaviour can also be a sign and is the reaction to the torture she has been through.

Self-hatred is again associated with abuse. She may try to look unattractive; she may deny undressing in common rooms or gyms. Again drastic change in performance- academics or curricular activities- being for the better or for the worse can be a sign of psychological trauma. Some children may also go into depression or crying on trivial issues.

Again, avoiding the company of a specific person, whose company she may have enjoyed, may be a curious signal. Talk to your daughter, though this may not be very easy. Tell her that you are on her side and it is not she who is to feel ashamed but the culprit who is to be ashamed.

The young girl may not have the courage to come and tell you her problem. But this experience keeps on haunting her over and over again. So she may have night mares and abnormal sleeping patterns. Bed wetting may also be associated with it [though these sighs are not exclusive for abuse only].

Physical signs that are associated with sexual abuse are itching and bleeding in genital areas and rectum. Some children also suffer from throat infection. Pain in the abdomen and stomach though not exclusive for abuse only, is also a sign. Recurrent urinary tract diseases are also common when children have been suffering from abuse over and over again.

Age inappropriate sexual behaviour can also be the reason of premature exposure to sex. May be you do not realise it when the child is abused, it shows it self later on when the child has overcome the trauma of the incident.

It is tough being a parent; you will have to keep constant vigil over your child even if they hate you for this. Be very involved with your child so that you can be their agonies aunt when needed.

Safety of women working in Night Shifts

Cristiano Ronaldo — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:10:47 +0000

Safety of women in night shifts is a big security concern. The world that we live in is full of opportunists and criminals. It is sad that ‘the hand that rocks the cradle,’ no more rules the world. In fact they are vulnerable in the world.

Women are invading all walks of life, and walking hand in hand with the men folk. Still late, the areas dominated by the men are now also explored by women too. That includes working in night shifts. Night shifts refer to working from 7.00pm to 6.00am and are the time when she is at risk, both in the work place and the route.

Companies are doing their bit in helping women in night shifts. Travelling in night is one factor associated with night shifts. The company, is arranging company cars for its employees, and using GPS for tracking the cars. Still we do hear instances where women are raped and killed. It is hence more preferable to travel in groups instead of alone in the company cars.

It is wise to travel with a male companion, say a trusted male friend; This gives additional security. In case you are to travel by bus, ask your husband or brother to the bus stand.

Dress is also important though it is a very controversial topic. Dress normally, in proper formal dress that is the code of the office, and not in flashy dresses. Though objected by many, dress may be a cause to call problem towards you. Also wear very less jewellery so that you may not be a tempting target for the culprits. Leave costly articles at home.

It will be also very wise to change the plan of your route once in a while. When you are traveling by the fixed route you may give the criminal chance to hurt you on route. Do not make yourself predictable and hence easily available on the road. If you have to walk to the bus stand then do not walk in dark or desolate lanes, for they are the haven for criminals. In this case ‘buddy system’ is the best way; ask your friend to walk with you.

Carry your cell phone, keep 911 ready on speed dial, so that in case of danger you may just dial one key. Keep safety sprays and probably a pocket knife in your bag if you have to travel at night. Remember that once you are in the clutches of the attacker, it is hard to free yourself. So scream and run when you feel someone is approaching or following you. Since criminals prefer secrecy in doing evil deeds, it is logical that they would not attract attention from others and let you go.

Learn self-defence. Enrol in some martial arts class- karate, taekwondo, and kick boxing- so that you can defend yourself. Learn various defence moves that can save you from your attacker.

The neck, just below the Adams apple is a soft spot, as is the eyes, remember this when you are in grave danger!

Safety precautions for women living alone

Cristiano Ronaldo — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:08:17 +0000

Safety precautions in the home are important especially if you are living alone. You may be self-sufficient but the world outside is opportunist and evil. So here are safety precautions for women living alone.

To begin with install security systems in the house. Alarms and cameras are an important tool in ensuring your safety. Most often they act as a deterrent or the final line of defence. If any burglar is coming to your house, he may be warded off with the alarms. Camera bells are also important in the house, for you can see the unfamiliar face and decide not to open! The camera bells also have phones to talk to the visitor for which you may ask the purpose of his visit.

Door chains are also a good idea. If anyone wants to push you open, then the chain can save you. Remove the chain only when you are sure of the genuine-ness of the visitor. Also fit locks to the windows too. Before going to sleep, ensure you have locked all doors and windows invariably.

Another technically advanced gadget is the motion sensor lights. If the burglar is planning to break open from another side, these gadgets can illuminate the areas around your house. Meet your neighbours and be friendly to them. Since you stay alone, you may need any time, their assistance. You may fall sick, you may have burglars and in time of crisis they may help you.

The worst part of staying alone is falling sick. There are many instances with women staying alone trip on something, get unconscious and bleed to death! Your neighbours may be instrumental in saving you, try to tell a hello each day over the fence, so that in case you are not doing so for a day, they might try to find out the reason.

Also keep an extension of your phone in all rooms; do not leave the bathrooms for there are ample cases when the person has slipped in the bathroom and was saved by the extension in the bathroom.

Having pets at home can be a wonderful idea, because they may turn out to be your faithful companion. They can sense very low frequency sounds and hence can alert you in case a thief comes. Moreover I can cite you a dozen examples where the pets have alarmed the neighbours about the sickness of their master.

Giving keys to your neighbours may be a good idea, but beware of over friendly neighbours. There are ways to keep your keys outside the house hidden in your garden. Stones are available in the market for hiding keys. When they are kept along with other stones, it is hard to differentiate. This may be a good idea, to keep your duplicate keys outside the house.

Leave a light on when you are away from your house for long –this will elude thief from believing that somebody is at home. Common sense is the best line of defence, harbour that at all times.

Self-defence training for young women

Cristiano Ronaldo — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:45:26 +0000

In the world we live in, young women are most vulnerable to abuse. One out of every eight women has been raped in US alone! So it is our responsibility to make our growing and young daughters aware of the circumstances she may face. Self-defence training for young women may be an effective method to fight back against torture.

Counsel your child regarding the good and bad touches. Tell her to trust her instincts-they will help her to differentiate between the right and wrong approach from the opposite sex. Tell her that no one has the right to outrage her modesty.

Women should never travel alone in lonely or notorious areas alone. Attackers usually charge single women. If you have somebody with you, then you minimise the threat of an attack. Ask friends to accompany you. Better still avoid those areas that are dimly lit or have record of past violence.

Confidence is the best defence; walk past an abusive gang holding your head high, shoulder back and as if you are ready to fight back. You should have an aura of-don’t try to mess with me-about you. Attackers always look for weak and timid victims. They will always target those who do not look strong enough. If you are confident and walk straight, most likely the attacker will look for the next victim.

If you feel threatened, scream as loudly as possible for criminals seek for secrecy and privacy when they attack a victim. As soon as you feel that the attacker is approaching you, start screaming loudly, before he even comes close to you. Your next option will be to run, as fast as you can! Remember once you are caught it may be hard for you to get away.

Self-defence training includes a formal training that teaches you martial arts of any kind-taekwondo, karate or even kicks boxing. Learn the tricks of the trade well. All of these arts do inform you of the weak points of the attacker. For example, the throat, just below the Adams apple is a soft point. You can also attack your attacker at the eyes. Remember to hurt him so badly that he is not in a position to get up. Wounding him will aggravate his anger and he may attack you harder. Take him by surprise and before he is out of the shock hit him back.

Many cities have community self-defence classes at subsidised rates. Your daughter can opt for one. There they teach the basics of self-defence. In fact let your daughter go for a self-defence program. There they are taught how to safe guard themselves as well as break the attacker. Women and girls have to face the world-in the school, in the workplace. They must be physically fit and healthy, so that they can combat any attack with the necessary training.

A self defence program not only teaches the young mind to resist abuse but also enriches her with the knowledge of circumstances that she is likely to face, and will serve her for the rest of her life!

Benefits of Self-Defense Training for Women

Cristiano Ronaldo — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:59:30 +0000

Self-defense courses are specially designed to educate women to learn how to defend themselves against any threat. Learning self-defense techniques can greatly assist you in dealing with potential dangers. By enrolling for a self-defense training course, you will understand the fundamentals of how to rapidly incapacitate an aggressor so that you can have time to get away, stressing on knowing how to take advantage of not only time, but also space to make a fast getaway.

Illustrated below, are some of the benefits you stand to gain as a woman by enrolling for a self-defense training class:

Workout

Self-defense training classes can provide you with numerous benefits, for example, muscle toning and strengthening, enhanced equilibrium. It also enhances better body movement and coordination through an efficient cardiovascular workout. By improving your overall fitness, self-defense training classes improve your likelihoods of getting away from an attack. Different types of punches, turns, kicks, twists and moves utilized in self-defense approaches can also aid you in increasing your stamina, flexibility as well as strength. Unlike what you may have heard, self-defense training classes are designed to provide you with more than just muscles to overcome your aggressor. It also functions in strengthening your listening and coordination skills. They help in making you more mindful of your surroundings and are better prepared for an eventuality of an attack.

Enhanced self-esteem

Self-defense lessons assist women to know how to be more conscious of their surroundings in addition to being ready for unforeseen scenarios all the time. Recognizing that you have the capacity to defend yourself from an attack frequently aids you in wholly exploring your world, not be afraid to meet new people and discover new means of engaging with other people.

Social interaction

Self-defense trainings offer women the chance to meet their peers, interact with new people. Most self-defense courses are composed of individuals in various age groups or with varying racial or social backgrounds. This in turn enables you as a woman to build an enhanced tolerance as well as comprehension of other ethnics. Martial arts such as karate, tai chi and other types of self-defense techniques usually emphasize on the value of respecting diversities, valuing your elders plus showing reverence and forbearance to other people.

As such, you have more to gain by enrolling for self-defense training class that to lose. The notion that self-defense techniques such as karate and tai chi are dangerous is misplaced. As a matter of fact, martial arts such as kungfu, tai chi and karate amongst others are some of the safest sports.

It is important however that you find out the approaches used in the self defense training classes in order to determine whether or not they suit your requirements.

Illustrated below, are some of the benefits you stand to gain as a woman by enrolling for a self-defense training class:

Workout

Enhanced self-esteem

Social interaction

It is important however that you find out the approaches used in the self defense training classes in order to determine whether or not they suit your requirements.

Women’s Self-Defense Training

Hannah — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:15:48 +0000

Though incidents of personal attack are very rare in most parts of the world, some people may live in fear of being hurt or otherwise harmed by criminals, and this fear can contribute to a lower quality of life, as well as a diminished desire to venture outside or enjoy public activities. Addressing this problem is perhaps most effectively achieved through the study of self-defense. Often, women are unaware of the specific techniques and choices involved in defending themselves, and may have little to no experience with physical violence. By making the choice to create a personal defense plan and receive quality training, women can feel more confident throughout their everyday lives, and may also be able to effectively respond to any threats to their person.

A very popular method of learning self defense, regardless of gender, is taking a specific training course. Self-defense techniques are covered by a wide range of disciplines, and depending on the course-taker’s preferences and specific needs, different disciplines may be more or less attractive. Martial arts comprise some of the most popular self-defense techniques, and many styles and schools encompass far more than self-defense alone. Though martial arts courses are sometimes offered on an a-la-carte basis, women may find it far more beneficial to commit to a long-term program that covers the full range of features included in a given type of martial arts. As various defense and attack techniques are likely to be more effective when studied carefully and in conjunction with other moves and practices, sticking with a long-term martial arts program is likely to yield superior results.

Not all self-defense techniques necessarily involve martial arts, however. Many simple techniques exist to help women fend off attacks and to effectively respond to any violence that does occur. Simple self-defense classes for women can often be found through community centers and other public venues, and may also include helpful training such as basic first-aid or emergency response. Often, classes of this type provide women with an instructor able to provide hands-on experience in self defense. While knowing about a certain technique and seeing it performed may be great first steps towards effectively preparing for self-defense, the experience of actually going through the motions with an instructor can be an invaluable advantage. No matter the type of self-defense class taken, learning as much as possible and insisting on long-term programs with a deep level of training are key methods of ensuring that full potential is reached, and a higher level of personal safety is secured.

Whether or not classes are taken beforehand, some women choose to wield weapons as a way to protect themselves from potential attackers. There are many different types of weapons, of course, and some, such as a basic pepper spray unit, may be easy to purchase and carry. Others, however, may require a permit, and certain laws regarding the weapon’s carrying may have to be observed. An important consideration in the use of weapons for self-defense is specific training and experience. Just as a martial arts move shouldn’t be used unless a person really knows what they’re doing, a weapon should not be carried in the absence of knowledge about when and how to use it. Even a simple weapon such as a pepper spray canister may become dangerous if women aren’t sure about how to use it –fumbling through a purse for the item, for instance, can alert attackers to the victim’s intention and effectively nullify the device. Weapons training for women is available and can lead to the effective use of a wide variety of objects. Though it is unwise to rely on the use of weapons alone in the preparation of a personal defense plan, some personal circumstances may call for this type of defense strategy.

A large part of self-defense training involves understanding any risks to personal safety that are actually present, and thinking about the best possible options for responding to such risks. Though it may be unpleasant to imagine violent scenarios, women may find that thinking about the potential for breaches of safety, staying aware of personal surroundings, and imagining how various threats might be dealt with can lead to a greater sense of confidence. Women may also wish to speak to experts in self-defense as well as any known victims of personal attacks. Talking with others about these issues can lend valuable perspective to a woman’s understanding of the theory and execution of self-defense.

Making the choice to gain personal security and gain insight into the possibilities of self-defense can be highly empowering. Though some situations and locations may always be dangerous or uncomfortable for women, facing life’s sometimes frightening possibilities is important for self-esteem and overall well-being. When an effective self-defense plan including dedicated training is created and followed, women can approach a wide range of dangers with competence.

Personal Safety Tips for Women

Hannah — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:02:56 +0000

Whether out on the town in a big city or simply carrying out the chores of the day, people sometimes feel vulnerable to attack, and practicing effective personal safety is one of the most important measures to be taken to ensure confidence and the ability to respond to unexpected events. Many women feel especially at risk for attacks, whether the goal is assault, theft, or other types of crimes. Increasingly, however, women are realizing that it’s possible to break through feelings of vulnerability and address actual personal security risks by paying close attention to their safety needs. By considering the safety tips below, women can start the journey towards feeling safe and knowing the can respond to possible attacks –and the benefits for peace of mind and well-being can be immeasurable.

Though it may not come to mind as being an especially important component of personal safety, awareness is the key to warding off attacks and being prepared in case an attack is actually staged. Often, women who are out in public or are in potentially vulnerable areas are distracted with digital devices, phone calls, reading materials, or other objects, and may not notice that they’re in danger. This sort of behavior can also send a welcoming signal to would-be attackers. By staying aware of surroundings and people nearby, women can help prevent attacks to their person and are also far more likely to be able to react effectively if anything goes wrong.

Relying on awareness to ensure personal safety is a solid technique, but there’s often more to noticing than simply looking around. How a woman feels about a certain place, person, or situation can speak volumes about the potential for danger. While it’s far from necessary to avoid all activities or people that may be remotely dangerous, it’s a wise idea to allow personal instinct to play a part in a safety strategy. If a certain date feels creepy or “off,” or a specific location gives off a scary or unpleasant vibe, it may be a good idea to simply leave. Enabling one’s instincts to help out with personal safety without becoming paranoid is likely to prevent various types of undesirable situations.

Preventing intrusions of personal safety is the best method of staying out of harm’s way, but sometimes, even the best efforts to prevent attacks manage to fail. Receiving training in any number of self-defense disciplines is a wise idea for women concerned about their safety. There is a wide range of techniques and systems currently available, from those that focus on martial arts traditions to those which take a more direct and simple approach to deflecting attacks and dealing damage. The type of self defense system learned should suit personal preferences and style, and moving to a new instructor or course is understandable if an initial attempt simply doesn’t feel right.

Most types of self-defense courses for women include sessions dedicated to enacting possible attacks. This is often carried out by having the instructor dress in protective equipment and provoking students to elicit an attack or defense strategy. Though this practice may seem strange or uncomfortable at first, it can be invaluable for gaining a minimal level of experience and getting more accustomed to the idea of self-defense. As many types of defense strategies involve moderate to hard physical activity, women may wish to take on long-term courses to strengthen their skills while also benefiting from great exercise. Women who are physically fit and who feel sure and balanced on their feet are more likely to successfully deflect an attack, and may even prevent attacks from those concerned about getting hurt.

Keeping weapons in a purse, car, or in the home may be a somewhat popular choice for women concerned about safety, but the tips mentioned above should always come before the purchase or use of a weapon. Basic items requiring little to no training such as pepper spray may help women feel safer, but they can be difficult to retrieve from a hiding place when danger is present and some attackers may not respond as expected. More serious weapons such as guns or knives should only be kept on-hand by women who have been thoroughly trained in their use and storage. When people wield weapons they are uncomfortable using, they may essentially turn these weapons on themselves, as experienced attackers can easily take advantage of the situation.

Achieving a high standard of personal safety is an admirable goal for any woman. The sense of freedom and empowerment that effective security training and knowledge can afford are capable of making daily life more enjoyable and making potentially frightening situations easier to handle. When a well-advised set of security measures are taken to prevent attacks and to respond with speed, force, and accuracy in case of any actual problems, women can feel confident about themselves and their activities.

Importance of Self Defense Training for women

Ralph Winn — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:03:43 +0000

The irony of self-defense is that the more prepared you are, the less likely you are to need it.

Crime rates have been constantly soaring high for the last decade and more often than not women are the victims. It is not because women are vulnerable or weak in any respect but because they lack the proper training of self defense. For this reason thugs and goons are able to prey on them and do their dirty work, and it is therefore necessary that proper precautions are taken to prevent it. But the cops cannot protect women from such incidents in all cases and for these scenarios self defense is a must for all women.

Most of the times the prowlers catch women off guard in some deserted alley and manhandle them in every way possible. Petty theft and burglary aside, many women are raped or brutally murdered in some cases as well. As women are not that adept in the art of self defense as men are usually are because they participate in various outdoor sports activities usually therefore these goons get an upper hand on them and capitalize on it. In order to safeguard themselves against such predicament, self defense training is absolutely essential for every woman nowadays.

Many women are not at all aware of the self defense training program that is available for them to sign in and many of the ones who do know about them are either too busy to enroll or are too negligent about it. However it is critical for women, and especially working women, to learn some basic defense techniques and therefore if enrolling in class is not possible then at least getting a private instructor or buying home videos is a good option. In any case, awareness is vital.

Getting trained in all the self defense methods is not the only thing to do but is one of the things to do! For those ladies who carry a handbag and have to travel late at night, be warned, burglars are usually attracted by expensive handbags and can easily attack you in any open area. So, to protect yourself in such situations you should always carry some small weapon like a stun gun or hooter, they catch the attacker off guard and buys you enough time to get away from the scene and call the officers. If you don’t have a stun gun or something like that, at least keep a pepper spray with you safe in your purse.

Also, if travelling alone, especially at night, don’t wear expensive jewellery or apparels as they are crook magnets and can be the harbingers of your own distress. Always try to dress in comfortable outfits in such situations so that you can move quickly and run fast just in case. So that means no stilettos or high heels. If you know any martial art then try to use it if all else fails as your main focus should always be to flee the scene and call the authorities.

In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly difficult for women to feel safe outside, hence self defense training is absolutely vital for them.

When you can recognize potentially dangerous situations, you are more confident in your behavior so you are less likely to become a target of crime.

Things to do when you are being stalked

Cristiano Ronaldo — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 17:59:48 +0000

Stalking is actually a line of actions that makes one feel afraid or in danger. Stalking is a serious crime and most of the time it is violent. It increases with time. Stalking can be referred to as a process or behaviour which has the capacity to change one’s life. A stalking victim often time goes into the state of trauma and stays in fear for twenty four hours. This can cause psychological damage to the victim and the damage is most of the time permanent.

The stalked victim may often undergo the following emotions of fear, nervousness, depression, confusion, frustration, isolation etc. The victim often gets stressed and also haves trouble in concentrating, remembering and recalling things and sleeping. He or she may often get nightmares and cannot get a good sleep at night. He or she may also have eating problems such as appetite loss, forgetting to eat or even overeating. It causes the person to lose his peace of mind and he often sees flashbacks of disturbing incidents and has disturbing thoughts, memories or feelings. It becomes very difficult for the person to socialize.Thus, stalking should be carefully handled and when one is being stalked, he or she must know what to do to deal with the problem. It should not be taken lightly or else it may turn out to be fatal for the victim. Generally, the girls get stalked due to some past or unwanted relationship.

Some points to be kept in mind when one is being stalked.

Trust your instincts-One should always give importance to one’s instincts and should never downplay any danger. If one feels unsafe; he or she should become alert and try to remove the disturbing element. Threats should be taken seriously.

Avoid all types of Contact-Clearly, explicitly or directly one should make the stalker understand that she is not interested in a relationship with that person and then avoid all contact with him. The victim should try to handle any unavoidable phone calls or unexpected meetings calmly and should not escalate the situation as the stalker will enjoy the extra attention that is given to him.

Never react to the stalker-No matter how angry or afraid one is, the person should never react to the stalker as again he will enjoy the attention he wanted.

Withdrawing gently- When the stalker confronts the victim and the latter does not have any way to escape it, she should try to remain calm and reply politely, firmly and wisely and also try to curb any sort of actions or words that might instigate an angry reaction. The victim should talk softly and gently but also firmly at the same time.

Developing a safety plan- One should develop a safety plan which include things like changing one’s daily routine, changing the path that one takes everyday to go to a certain place, arranging for a friend or a person who can accompany the victim to places. Prior planning’s should be made by the person in danger on how to react if the stalker suddenly shows up.

Police Help-One should always inform the police beforehand of the happenings.

Family Help-Family members and friends should also be informed about it.

If the following safety rules are followed then one can easily evade a stalker or at least deal with him in a wiser manner.

Safety for Women Personal Tips and Advice

Ron McBride — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:51:02 +0000

Dangerous and vulnerable circumstances always await us whenever we step outside of the home. Of cause, the most important thing is for one to use common sense, but sometimes commonsense is not so common. Using ones instincts is a proven way to ensure that you protect yourself as a woman especially on a night out.

Self-protection outside of the home

When you identify potential problems on the way to a particular place or home, the best idea is to change your route and get prepared to run or to shield yourself. The other mistake that women make is wearing conspicuous jewelry in places where their security is uncertain. This apparently makes you an easy target for criminals to attack you. Using public transport is a sure way to remain safe rather than hiking a lift from a stranger. One can always hire a cab or use a bus to remain safe when they are not in a position to drive.

When a woman walks around confidently criminals less target them, always ensure that you look confident even when you are not sure of your whereabouts, your behavior and facial expressions can sell you out as easy target. Maintaining eye contact with a potentials attacker is very intimidating to them. This is perfectly applicable when someone wants to attack you, attackers cannot stand you looking sternly at them.

Using public transport

As a woman, wait for public transport in places well lit and where there are other people, this will guarantee your safety, for example waiting in a coffee shop. To avoid an assailant attacks, an aisle seat is a perfect place to seat as you can escape more easily in case you need to. When using the train during peak hours it is advisable that you sit in the compartment carrying most people as numbers intimidate assailants, sitting behind the train driver is also very helpful in safety for women, this position is usually close to the door and you can exit easily.

Using automobiles

The most dangerous places when you are using your car will be in isolated areas, or when stepping out of your car at home. It is always important to approach your car with the keys in hand and ready to drive off in case of an emergency. Always keep the doors and windows locked even when you are driving, this will help you eliminate undesired passengers at road intersections. However, watch out for procedural practices in entering and exiting in the case of accidents.

Leaving the car unlocked is a dangerous affair, you cannot afford to leave the car unlocked even for the fewest minutes to pick up something, and attackers use this as a perfect opportunity. Avoid pulling the car over in isolated areas if another driver is pointing at the tires to suggest they require attention. The best thing is to pull to a well-lit area and confirm what they were telling you, this could be an attack plan. The other thing is to ensure that you are alert at the parking lots more so if it is dark. If necessary, when driving at night as someone to accompany you when walking in between the cars as an assailant could be waiting for an opportune time to strike an unsuspecting assailant.

Safety for Women – Protecting Pregnant Women in Car Accidents

Ron McBride — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:39:19 +0000

Car accidents happen every day and the most defenseless from serious injuries is pregnant women. Most parents are diligent enough to buckle up children when driving, but the challenge remains on protecting a pregnant woman. Data recorded over time reveals that approximately 300 – 1000 unborn children die each year in car accident related injuries. Actually the mortality rates for unborn children is much higher than that of infants, this is the reason that pregnant women need to take more precautionary measures to protect the unborn child.

The risk factor

The highest risk factor in pregnant women is in the uterine attachment called the placenta. The placenta is a delicate tissue and it takes very little impact for it to detach itself from the uterus. When this happens, the baby lacks oxygen and this is the primary reason an accident leads to the loss of a fetus. The biggest culprit to blame for these kinds of accidents is the steering wheel, as the belly grows larger, it gets closer to the steering wheel and consequently an accident impact will result in the steering wheel hitting the belly.

The regular seat belt

The regular car seat belt is a three point and is perfect for regular individuals. However, this does not work very well with a pregnant woman. Many women are ill informed on how to use it, more so when pregnant. The belts feel very uncomfortable in these circumstances. It combines best with an air bag for enhanced protection.

The driver is at a higher risk if they are pregnant than a passenger who is pregnant. The pregnant woman is better off in the passenger seat than when driving herself. They are more likely to die in a car crash than they would in delivery.

How to make the car safer for a pregnant woman

A pregnant woman should always buckle up each time they are driving. They key is to ensure that you wear the belt appropriately. Consider using a lap shoulder sort of seat belt rather than a lap only seat belt. The lap only seat belt causes more harm than good to the pregnant driver. In spite of the discomfort, therein a woman will be more comfortable if they are using this kind of a belt. Wear the belt with the lap bit sitting across the hips and below the belly, you do not have to press the belly with the belt, which in the end will prompt you to remove it. Also wearing the belt in the wrong way could also cause injuries to the fetus.

On the other hand, ensure that the strap crosses over the shoulder and across the chest and move the car seat as far back wards as possible. One thing that you should never do is deactivate the air bags, ensure they are active, as they are secondary protection to impact. Used together, the seat belt and airbags protect the pregnant woman from fetal and personal fatality.

Other precautionary measures for women when driving

Ensure that all the car occupants have seat belts on.
Put children in infant car seats rather than the adult seat belts.
Ensure that all the children are well strapped in.
Always wear the lap and shoulder seat belt.
Ensure that the seat belt fits properly.
Two people should never wear the same seat belt.
Never disable the air bags
Always keep the maximum possible space between you and the steering wheel.
Never use the cell phone when driving, do not answer calls, do not call, do not text.
Never drink and drive
Always obey traffic signs and signals as well as using your own appropriately.

Safety Tips for Women Living Alone

Ron McBride — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:45:12 +0000

Many women live alone and this can be a scary affair if they are not sure of how to protect themselves. However depending on the kind of neighborhood they are living in, they can be safe and or require various measures to stay safe. Before a woman settles on a neighborhood to live in, they should first verify that they are going to be safe. One sure way to know if you will be safe in a particular neighborhood is to check statistics on crime with the businesses around, and if they operate until late night is a good sign. The longer they stay open the more certain you are of your security.

Keep your patio and landscape well lit

Landscape lighting will offer much better results than using many movement sensor lights. When a motion sensor light goes off, it hardly occurs to the trespasser that someone has switched on lights. However having a well-lit landscape tells the trespasser that they are clearly visible to other people. Landscape lighting is great as it allows you to see all that is happening around you, including enhancing the home appeal.

Using thick blinds and curtains

When you have thick curtains and blinds for the home, you will feel more secure and will not be conscious of the possibility of another person watching you. The curtains should be as close to the window as possible more so if they are facing a street. You should also make certain that you draw the curtains as soon as the sun sets.

Thorny shrubbery

Planting thorny shrubbery under the windows and ensuring they are well trimmed is a great way to ward off intruders. Keeping them well trimmed will also minimize the possibility of would be attackers hiding behind them, or climbing on to windows.

Installing an alarm system

It is always a good idea to have an alarm system installed in the home. Nonetheless, where cost is challenging, you can as well buy stickers implying that you have alarms installed this is enough to ward off an intruder. Having door bells on the doorknob will also alert you when there is a person at the door with wrong intentions.

The dog – a security guard and pet

Dogs are not only great pets but also a great alarm system, and they do not require a lot of energy or time to alert you when there is an intruder. The dogs do not have to be big and even small dogs will have a great impact on your home security.

Formulate a plan to indicate there is a man living with you

Leaving a pair of a man’s boots on the front verandah is a perfect way to tell people there is a man living in the house. Having a man’s baseball cap or jacket on the couch will scare away a potential attacker, as they will think there is a man living in the house with you.

Other applicable tips

Knowing your neighbors and making friends with the local community is also good. However always ensure that the doors and windows remain closed before leaving the home in the evening. It would be also helpful to leave some lamps on, as this will make it appear like there are people in the house at that particular time. If you are planning to be away from home for some time you may consider installing auto some lighting devices that will go on and off at designated times of the night. Another critical thing is to avoid telling everyone where you live except close friends and family, and if you encounter an attack do not be afraid to call the authorities or 911.

Security for Women Dating Online

Ralph Winn — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:19:29 +0000

Many more single women today are resorting to online dating and speed dating. One reason is that the services are cheaper and one would only take minimal time and finances to understand the potential mate. However, uncertainty and fear grips those who desire to join these services, one of them being their security as they meet the new partner.

The quest to find Mr. Right never ends until it happens in reality. In spite of many overlooking the subject, numerous people have found their mates through online dating services. Few people love to embrace the personal security subject. Nevertheless, this is critically important when a single woman is meeting the person.

The first thing to ensure is that you are sober in your thoughts and that your self-esteem is high. Reading self-help books is a good way to get equipped. While associating with friends with similar goals will enlighten you on the subject while picking up from them security tips.

Look out for red flags

When the potential partner contacts you online without referring to your name, this means that they could be talking to many others using the same line. On the other hand when they begin talking about love and matrimony before they have met you, this is apparently a hoax. If they happen to be asking you for money, it appears that this person is a con man, and you should run as fast as possible from them. When a person you met online seems to take ages to respond to emails in this time and age, then this may be a sign that they are married and only trying to cheat on the partner, this person is not lonely.

Do not give all information

When you are communicating with a potential date in real world leave alone dating, do not give them all your information immediately, like your address and telephone numbers, try to be as discreet as much as possible until you can trust them.

Seek information on personal security

Ensure that you have sought enough information on personal security by watching videos and reading relevant books. There are self-defense courses available online and you will not have to search very far to find one.

Meet him in an open place

After you have sought enough information on your personal security, ensure that you meet your potential person in an open place where other people can see you. Meet him for approximately five times before you gain trust to be with him exclusively. By doing this you will be able to gauge his energy levels understand what easily annoys them and on the overall, you will have learnt quite a bit about their character.

Be frugal on alcohol intake

Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause for date rapes and or assault. Security experts recommend that you do not consume alcohol at all until you have met the person severally. At this time do not take drinks from other people, this could be a planned attack and will only become easier if you get intoxicated on alcohol or other drugs. You may also consider paying your bill, this way you will owe him nothing.

Get as much information on them as possible

Ask all the questions that you can possibly imagine. Ask them about their family, date of birth, license plates, address, their work, if possible take even the social security number, if they are willing to give this, they are probably honest. Also, ensure that you take as many photos as possible of the person. Give them the excuse that you want to brag to friends about the new wonderful person you just met.

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Post tags: Dating Online, Dating Online Safety, online dating, personal security

Live Safe – Learn Self Defense

Cristiano Ronaldo — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 16:34:58 +0000

When it comes to protecting one’s self from eminent danger, almost each one of us will do all that is within their power to ensure their safety. As such, there are those who enroll for martial arts and boxing classes with an aim of learning a couple of combat techniques. Whilst there is nothing absolutely wrong with this as it gives you an opportunity to keep in shape, it is quite unfortunate that most of these lessons only devote a few hours to learning self-defense techniques. Consequently, a majority of those who enroll for these classes only get to develop their physical strength and miss out on vital self-defense skills. As such, if you are surfing for information on self-defense techniques, you will find this article quite an interesting read. To find out more on how you can best protect yourself when faced with a dangerous situation whilst walking in the street, keep reading to the end of the article.

Tips and guidelines

Tip #1 – Use your brain

Your very first tool of defense is your mind. In any situation you may be in, the most critical thing is to try as much as possible to stay calm. This will enable your brain to process everything that is going on and come up with the right way to react to it. Within a short time you’ll have known what needs to be done in order to protect yourself. On the other hand, when you start panicking, your brain will not be able to process anything due to sudden hormonal rush in your body.

Tip #2 – Your skull

Did you know that the human skull can inflict grave injuries compared to a punch? If your attacker happens to grab you from behind thus immobilizing you, the only way through which you can free yourself is striking his nose with one hard blow with the back of your head. This will cause him to lose concentration for a moment. You can use this chance to hit him on the crouch to immobilize him further thus giving you a chance to escape.

Tips #3 – Concealed weapon

Having a small concealed weapon which you can easily reach for in case of an emergency such as pepper spray, car keys or a nail cutter can greatly enable you to temporarily immobilize your attacker. Nonetheless it is important that this concealed weapon be something that you can reach for rapidly when faced with a precarious situation. What’s more, it is important to learn how to effectively use this weapon to cause pain on your attacker without harming yourself.

Tip #4– Confront your attacker

Whenever one is being accosted by an attacker, the main aim is to push to a corner where you will not be able to defend yourself. As such, it is vital to approach your attacker rather than stepping away. This in a way will immediately put him off his game as you are doing exactly the opposite of what he expected. When doing so, it is vital that you think of what you will do next.