Two or Three Strands Are Stronger

Than one grasshopper! Most victims of serial murderers and rapists are not chosen or attacked “willy-nilly”. Many determined assailants have usually observed their victim, habits and routines for some time. Like a hunter tracking his quarry, the killer or rapist has often pre-selected the victim, become familiar with her routines and day to day schedule. He may select them because they resemble someone, or some other compelling reason known only by the attacker. He could even be the shy kid who smiles at a young lady in Chemistry class every day but is too self conscious to approach the target in a social setting and abandons the thought of her ever responding to his advances. His hormones raging, add some misfiring neural pathways, what do we have – a potential stalker and possibly a violent one at that.

There is rarely a day that goes by without us sending self defense products to daughters, sisters, Mothers or significant others. I see the names, colleges and dorms that they are going out to and sometimes I find myself thinking of what it is that may have suddenly triggered that “twinge of fear” leading to the donor sending Mace, Stun Guns, personal alarms and many times a combination of two of these – like a personal alarm and a canister of Mace spray to put a really painful sting behind that alarm screaming out for attention. Attackers want nothing to do with either of these great self defense deterrents. Other times, I find myself reading an email about an 18 yr old freshman being stalked in her new academic home by some amorous young man who starts becoming a real nuisance, not to mention a possible threat to her safety. I hate giving advice on which of our great deterrents might best be suited for a given situation.

Due to this fact, (me – hating to design a self defense package for young Jane or Jill) I find myself listening to story after story of similarly themed fears and situations that a worried parent may describe and try my best (usually fitting within parental approval) of what might serve their daughter best in a self defense situation. I’ve found it’s usually best for me to listen first, even while Mom, Dad, or boyfriend describes the recipients safety problem – and only when they are finished and ask for a recommendation, do I begin interjecting some possible deterrents or combination of self defense products, that may satisfy the parent or concerned person AND actually stand a chance against a determined attacker. Every story will usually point to the product/s that could be tailored to best handle their loved ones problem, if one indeed should transpire. There are no “pat” answers, each and every one takes patient listening and finally a sensible solution.

So, we come “full circle” to my headline: “Two or Three Strands Are Stronger….than one!” My first and best advice to people, both men and women regarding their or a loved one’s safety can often lie in numbers. Yup, if your daughter feels worried because a certain someone seems to be paying way too much attention to her and she has become afraid to go out at night solo – then don’t!

The fear of discovery turns an attacker’s aggression to quicksand, they are not a threat when their victim is surrounded by her friends as they all walk the two blocks to the pizzeria and back home, laughing, shouting and giggling as will young women in a group. Afraid that he might be observed, a near tragedy is averted – not with a 1,000,000 volt stun baton or a canister of Mace – but by the most simple and fool-proof weapon of all – common sense! Sexual predators – although their obsession may turn out rather messily – will usually desire and need privacy to cover their deeds in the darkness. I believe that the best defense posture for women in these situations, besides covering bases with a couple of self defense deterrents, is to move about in groups. Two are much more daunting to an attacker than just the victim alone. That’s what they want – remember? More than one friend – two or three girlfriends is a pretty strong front to present against a stalker – the girls become almost bulletproof – what creepy jerk that hides in the dark to await the passage of a lone woman wants to face that many? A coward, he will never run out and try to rape or abduct 2 to 4 young women at one time. That’s a bit too much screaming and drama for our cowardly stalker.

Ladies, girls and guys, try to protect yourself with a self defense product if they are available and legal but don’t “walk” out to the parking lot or the local tavern alone – just a block up and one over – bring a friend/s for backup. You’ll be far safer!