APRIL IS SEXUAL AWARENESS MONTH

LADIES, PROTECT YOURSELVES VICIOUSLY AND APPROPRIATELY!

Today we are facing unprecedented numbers of violent attacks against women. There has been an increase in public awareness in regards to violence against women, but no true legal reform has occurred to help prevent these attacks or prosecute the predators. But despite the statistics, American women still don't get it. How many times have I seen women and teenage girls walking in a dark parking lot talking on their cell phone or texting totally oblivious to their surroundings?
Recently, I was in the parking lot in Oceanside, CA where a woman was recently stabbed to death after leaving a store where she was shopping in broad daylight. This just proves that you don’t have to be in a dark parking lot or a bad neighborhood to be in danger. The point is women need to start protecting themselves no matter where they are, especially now in a sagging economy and record high unemployment numbers.

First, women should think about taking self defense classes. Many self defense classes are affordable and are suitable for any kind of fitness leveI. I recently took another self defense class at and learned how to protect myself using a kubaton – an ancient Chinese weapon that can put a predator down if you know how to use it.

We were also educated on what rapists look for in a victim – hairstyle: ponytails, braids, and long hair – easy to grab; clothing that is easily removed, Many rapists carry scissors to cut clothes off of women; women on cell phones, women searching for something such as keys in their purse, women not paying attention to their surroundings; women walking with their head down.

And how can women deter a rapist from attacking a woman? Extensive interviews with convicted rapists had this to say. Rapists will avoid a woman who puts up a fight, a woman carrying an umbrella, a woman who makes eye contact and who will make small talk, a woman who will put up her hands in front of her body and start yelling loudly; a woman who will let the rapist know she is carrying pepper spray. Secondly, women need to have an anti-rape attack kit, and it doesn't take a lot of money to put one together.

Here are the six essential items a woman should have with her at all times are:

1) A charged cell phone; 2) Personal alarm or whistle 3) Pepper Spray 4) Kubaton 5) Flashlight 5) A plan of escape and or attack.

For instance, if you are confronted with a potential attacker, the first thing you need to do is STAY CALM and don’t freak out. It will only make you hyperventilate and lose focus. Next is to perform a threat assessment. Is there more than one attacker? What does he (they) look like? What weapons are involved? If there is more than one attacker, who is the leader of the pack? If you have to fight, he is the ONE you want to attack first. Most importantly, if your gut tells you that this is a dangerous situation, you must act quickly and appropriately. Start screaming FIRE!!! If you have to fight back, do so viciously and with your hands up – makes fists, hide your vital organs by moving to the side. Drop eyes to the center of the predator’s chest and disconnect yourself that he is a human being. Eyes focused on the center of the attacker’s chest will also help you determine which way he is going to move. If you have a pepper spray, aim it directly at his eyes – if he is temporarily blinded, he can’t see you, so you can run. If you don’t have pepper spray, use your fingers to poke out his eyeballs – believe me, he will be in pain and sightless long enough for you to escape.

Personal protection devices are products that women should consider purchasing and to carry with them at all times. These items are easily available on the internet, and there are many more choices of personal protection devices that are affordable and legal in most states.

http://www.Stingergirlz offers a great selection of C2 Tasers, pepper sprays, mace and stun guns as well as kubatons and personal alarms. Home security is also important, especially if a woman is home alone. Stingergirlz has an impressive inventory of products especially designed to keep you and your family safe within the walls of your living quarters.

Our goal is to empower women and help them stay safe. If a woman is a victim of violence, we list several helpful resources below for women who need help, and the site publishes a list of hotline numbers in each state. It is time for women to stand up for their rights and their personal safety.
______________________________________________If you are a victim of sexual abuse and need immediate assistance, PLEASE contact RAINN's HOTLINE 1-800-656-HOPE. ______________________________________________NATIONAL HOTLINES

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) available 24/7 for the nearest rape crisis center.
National Stalking Resource Center: 1-800–FYI–CALL (1-800–394–2255) M-F 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM EST or email gethelp@ncvc.org.
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474 (1-866-331-8453 TTY) available 24/7 or connect with a trained Peer Advocate online at www.loveisrespect.org from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily (CST).
Information on Sex Offenders by State National/State Sex Offender Registry The National Sex Offender Public Registry website—coordinated by the Department of Justice—enables every citizen to search the latest information from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico for the identity and location of known sex offenders. To run a search: Enter the site, select the "I agree" button under Conditions of Use, fill out the Search form, and select "Search." You can also search registry websites maintained by individual states by following the link below and clicking on the state. Note: the information contained in the national registry and the state registries is identical; the national registry simply enables a search across multiple states. http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/registry.htm