Much has been said and written about self defense products, personal safety tips for women and  what women should and shouldn't do to protect themselves.  Fight or don't fight, scream or don't scream.  You can even read totally different points of view on something that should be simple- like whether or not a woman who is being stalked should try to take legal action. 

But one frightening thing that clearly emerges is that the mental picture most women have of a potential attacker is flawed- dangerously so.  The masked man who jumps out from behind the bushes can be deadly and very real, but the majority of women who are attacked, beaten-up or raped, do not suffer at the hand of a stranger. Few women realize that they'll buy self-defense products use against someone they know. 

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime - in 2003:

• One rape or sexual assault occurs every two minutes.
• One violent crime occurs every five seconds in the U.S.
• 172 Women are physically and/or sexually assaulted every hour! 
  
• One murder occurs every 34 minutes.
• 41% of personal crimes were committed by an acquaintance (that could be a co-worker, friend of the family, friend of a friend). A family member was just as likely to have attacked someone as a total stranger - 13% each
• 21% of murder victims will killed by a spouse or intimate partner - 79% of those victims were women
• 12% of completed rapes, 35% of attempted rapes and 22% of threatened rapes happen on a date. 
• 60% of acquaintance rapes on college campuses occur in casual or steady dating relationships and only 44% are reported, versus 77% of rapes commited by a stranger
• 55% of women involved in acquaintance rape had been drinking or taking drugs prior to the incident.
  

• Tell others where you are going and when you'll be back
• Walk with a purpose.  Be aware and alert to your surroundings.
• Follow the safest route. Avoid the lonely shortcuts and the dark. Walk where you can see what's close to you.
• Have your keys ready in your hand
• Never get in a stranger's car
• Never be afraid to draw attention to the fact that you feel at risk
• Carry a personal alarm and don't be afraid to use it.
• Practice common sense safety
  
• If you feel you're being followed, don't go home.  Cross the street and head for the nearest  well lit, populated area.  If they're still there, turn and in a loud voice say "Stop following me" ( Loud! You want people to hear you)  Flag down a cab and ask the driver to call the police. 
• Don't talk to an obscene caller, just hang up. 
• Listen to your instincts - if something feels wrong - get away. 
• Practice awareness, avoidance and action.
  
• Never wrap the strap from your purse around your neck, wrist or shoulder
• In your car put your purse under the seat on in the trunk
• Keep your keys in a pocket
• Never label your keys with your name/address

In the Car....

• Keep your car doors locked when you're in the car and when it's parked.
• Check the back seat before you get in.
• Park in a well lit area.
• Look around before you get out of your car.
  
• Keep your purse out of sight - on the floor or in the trunk.
• When you get in your car, lock the doors and drive off immediately.  
• If you think you're being followed make a few turns onto active streets.  If you're still being followed, drive to the nearest police station, fire station or open store.  Don't drive home to your quiet and probably dark, residential street.