As discussed in the Self Defense Prevention and Tips article from last week, we know preventing potential dangerous situations is our first line of defense against violent situations such as physical and sexual assault, robbery, or even homicide. On the occasion that you are in a vulnerable situation, however, your second line of defense is being prepared to protect yourself. While common items such as keys, purse straps, or heavy books can be useful weapons, carrying mace or pepper spray is a surefire say to ward off an attacker and protect yourself from harm.
Sexual Discrimination in the Work Place
Despite women’s increasing numbers in the labor market and advances in women’s rights over the last several decades, women are still discriminated in the workplace. This year’s U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report that women who work 41-44 hours per week earn less than 85% of what men working the same hours earn. As women work longer hours, their percentage of men’s earnings decrease: women working over 60 hours per week earn 78% of men who work the same hours.
Domestic Violence
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence defines domestic violence like this: “Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Violence against …
Date Rape Prevention
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, 1 in 6 women are victims of an attempted or completed rape each year. More shockingly, 11% of high school aged females are raped each year, and as many as 25% of college aged women experience complete or attempted rape each year. Even worse, these numbers underestimate the problem because many women are afraid to report a rape incident to the police, much less family members or friends. Rape victims often feel ashamed, guilty, embarrassed of the incident or threatened by the sexual predator.
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