Violence Against Women

I began thinking back about our class discussion on violence against women after getting an email from my sister (it's listed below). It's sad that we live in a culture where women have to be repeatedly warned about these types of dangers and how unsafe it is for women to walk or be out alone at night, etc. As a kid (and still today) I remember thinking how unfair it was that my sisters and I were warned about what can happen to girls, but never heard anyone caution my brothers.

One instance distinctly stands out in my mind... it was early evening in the summertime and I had to drive (I was 16 at the time) to the pharmacy by our house. It took only about 3 minutes to drive there and about 8 minutes to walk so it was very close, in a good neighborhood, and I'd been there many times before at later hours than this. As it was, my dad just happened to be home that night and insisted that my younger brother go with me and implied it was for safety or 'just in case'. Now my independent streak was of course a little insulted by this, not to mention that my brother and I were not very close at the time and I found it rediculous that he was going because he was not only younger, but much, much smaller than me. Needless to say I was a little irritated that my dad insinuated that because I was a girl I needed a guy (even if he was younger and smaller apparently) for safety reasons. How sad that women in our society have these threats... and to think that ours is nothing compared to some other countries and cultures!!

I'd be very curious to hear if anyone else has experienced similar situations or if any guys feel that I'm off base here and that guys also have to be careful or get 'warnings' as they are growing up.

So here is the email that my sister sent me...

Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation... This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips ,forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.
1 . Tip from Tae Kwon Do :The elbow is the strongest pointon your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. Learned this from a tourist guidein New Orleans If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse,DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM .Toss it away from you.... chances are that he is more interestedin your wallet and/or purse than you,and he will go for the wallet/purse.RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car,kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the holeand start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will.This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their carsafter shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit(doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and thisis the perfect opportunity for him to get inon the passenger side, put a gun to your head,and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR ,LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someoneis in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF,repeat:DO NOT DRIVE OFF!Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car.Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seatthey will get the worst of it .As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your bodyin a remote location.
5 . A few notes about gettinginto your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware:look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor ,and in the back seat B.) If you are parked next to a big van,enter your car from the passenger door .Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the womenare attempting to get into their cars.C.) Look at the carparked on the driver's side of your vehicle,and the passenger side.. If a male is sitting alonein the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk backinto the mall, or work, and get aguard/policeman to walk you back out.IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevatorinstead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be aloneand the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
7. If the predator has a gunand you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target)4 in 100 times; And even then,it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ.RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!
8. As women, we are always tryingto be sympathetic: STOPIt may get you raped, or killed.Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking,well educated man, who ALWAYS playedon the sympathies of unsuspecting women.He walked with a cane, or a limp, and oftenasked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle,which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another Safety Point:Someone just told me that her friend hearda crying baby on her porch the night before last,and she called the police because it was lateand she thought it was weird. The police told her"Whatever you do, DO NOTopen the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the babyhad crawled near a window, and she was worriedthat it would crawl to the street and get run over.The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way,whatever you do, DO NOT open the door."He told her that they think a serial killerhas a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coaxwomen out of their homes thinking that someonedropped off a baby He said they have not verified it,but have had several calls by women saying thatthey hear baby's cries outside their doorswhen they're home alone at night. Please pass this on and DO NOT open the doorfor a crying baby ---- This e-mail should probably be taken seriously becausethe Crying Baby theory was mentioned onAmerica 's Most Wanted this past Saturday when they profiledthe serial killer in Louisiana