Women can reduce
their risk of being assaulted by always being aware of their surroundings. If a
woman has the need to be outside, especially when it is already dark, she
should always carry her cell phone, pepper spray, and inform a trusted friend
or family member that she is fixing to step out. It would also be a good habit that
a woman also lets a close friend or family member know when she arrives home. This
could also be applied when someone is on a first date with somebody who they do
not know very well. Also when going of first dates, women should consider going
to public places that are well lighted.
Women should not
post personal information on social networks like Facebook or yahoo. Statuses that
give information like “going to the store to buy fruit” can be potentially dangerous
if it falls in the hands of the wrong person. Stating information like where
one lives, hangs out, or works makes a woman an easier target to assault.
If a woman is
driving a vehicle, she should park as close as possible to her destination and
try not park behind a vehicle bigger than hers. Although cars may not stay
parked for long periods of time, women should still try to avoid parking behind
bigger vehicles because someone may be lurking nearby. Keys should always be ready to use once a woman is fixing to go inside her vehicle again. Vehicles should always
be kept locked because in a worst case scenario, people could hide inside an
unlocked vehicle and attack the woman when she is already situated inside. A
woman should also grow into the habit of locking the doors of her car as soon
as she steps inside of it. People may forget that being inside a car can be
just as dangerous as it may be when one is outside because others still have
the accessibility to get inside and attack. When a woman is home alone, all
doors and windows should be locked and blinds should be closed. Another method a
woman can avoid being a victim of assault could be by learning some fundamentals
of self-defense. Simple techniques can prepare a woman to defend herself if she
finds herself being assaulted.
As a woman, being
alert at all times should always be the key to avoid any forms of assaults. Having careful observations of surroundings and people can all help someone from
finding themselves in an unsafe situation.
