Survey for the ladies

[vettecat]

Just curious, triggered by a recent conversation with someone... how many of you have thought about what you would do if you were ever attacked?

Comments

[pocketnaomi.livejournal.com]

Sure. I thought everyone did.

[gingicat]

I have. When wearing a jacket I tend to keep my keys in an easily-accessible pocket, with my hand in the same pocket, if walking alone at night...

[msbutterpecan.livejournal.com]

I have. Often.

As a certified rape crisis counselor, I have a 70 hour training ensuring I would think about this often.

[mamadeb.livejournal.com]

I took martial arts for a few years, so I have thought about it.

First choice - RUN. Drop what I'm carrying and run.
Second choice - if possible (no weapons, for example) - hope I remember what I learned and have the presence of mind to use it. If not, or there are weapons, comply. Because nothing is worth your life.

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.

[lucretia-borgia.livejournal.com]

Yeah. And if my kids were attacked. By a human or by a dog (I carry a pepper spray mainly for the dogs). And if someone invaded my home. Which is the main reason I lock my doors: not because I am afraid of theft, but because I'm afraid to walk in on the thief. Or worse, to have my kids precede me in to the house (which is the usual state of affairs) and walk in on the thief.

[pandorahunter.livejournal.com]

I have
and a swiss army has a corkscrew on it
and when it is open it fits perfect between you knuckles and the knife acts a a brace behind them
carry in pocket and you are prepared at least a little
used to live downtown and no car so I have lots of little tips
luckily never had to use them
I also learned how to box after a close call
feeling empowered makes you seem less of a target

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I took a self-defense course in the fall of 2003 for just that reason, actually.

[aunt-becca.livejournal.com]

absolutely. It determines where I will park my car if I'm in a shopping center. I'm amost always on the lookout for suspicious-looking people as well.

[michelel72.livejournal.com]

I've thought about it; I even took a defense class in college. For the most part I don't really think about it these days, but I do occasionally try to be smart about checking my surroundings when I'm approaching my car or if I'm leaving a city building at night.

[donnad.livejournal.com]

Been there.
I was Jumped coming out of a club one night, kidnapped and gang raped for five hours. There was nothing I could do, I had three guys all bigger than me holding me down, threatening my life and the life of my family. I submitted and hoped they would leave me with my life after taking away all shread of dignity. They did, They stole my wallet, money and ID and I was left in the woods and had to find my way out and home after it happened. No they were never caught, but I did hear a rumor that one of them was in a horrific car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

What goes around, comes around.

I have no issues discussing it, I have been able to accept that it happened and put it behind me. It happened 23 years ago this Thanksgiving.

[roozle.livejournal.com]

uh, of course. I don't obsess about it but sometimes I notice myself checking shadows or hesitating before entering empty elevators.

This reminds me of that conversation I had with someone "you know that game you played when you were a kid -- what would you take from home if you had to run for it? what would you grab if you had to leave in a hurry?" "No. I never had that thought as a child." From which I concluded that we had grown up on different parallel planets that were accidently both named Earth...

[chaiya.livejournal.com]

I have thought about it. I haven't made any firm decisions -- whether to always fight or always run and scream or whatnot. I think it depends on the situation. But yes, I fear being attacked, and have thought about worst-case scenarios.

[cogitationitis.livejournal.com]

Thought? I was trained! We were given simple self-defense lessons at orientation at Simmons. The consequence of going to an all-female school in th city, I guess.

I still use the tidbits from time to time when I'm in a shady neighborhood. Rule #1: be aware, be confident. Don't even let things start.