Though most of the content of this book is of use to almost everyone, some might be a little more appropriate to a specific group of people. Why do I call this chapter ‘Mostly Women’? I had to divide the contents into chapters, and this seemed a reasonable way to do it, but if you are a man, you should still read this chapter even if the advice is aimed at women more than men.

The bigger argument about rights and freedom doesn’t concern me here. Should women have to take extra safety precautions just to live their life? No! Should women be scared to leave home after dark? No, of course not, but I shouldn’t have to lock my car, or not draw cash out of a cash point because I think there are louts nearby either. I know that the results of a woman being attacked and me having my car window broken can’t really be compared. It’s the world that we live in, and until the government resolves the problems, we are stuck with it though we can do a lot to make ourselves safe!

Some research claims that victims pick themselves. There is the argument that by being somewhere you should not really have been you are accepting the risk of an attack. One report I saw went further; it stated that by ‘appearing’ to be lost, vulnerable and confused, a person could actually attract an attacker. If that theory has any truth, remember to never look lost, try not to look vulnerable or confused. Exude confidence at all times, even if you are lost walk confidently to the nearest bright lights and crowds of people.

General

The world can be a dangerous place to live but your chances of being the victim of a violent crime are statistically very, very low. If you aren’t a drug addict, alcoholic, addicted to attending back street clubs, always going to those football matches where violence is guaranteed, or a member of a street gang, the chances of you being the victim of violent crime in a public place are very low. On the other hand, some reports show that as many as one in four women will at some stage in their life be the victim of domestic violence.

If you have read this book and have taken the advice I have given, the chances of you becoming a victim should be minute. So don’t worry unduly, just take sensible precautions and don’t let your guard down.

On average a woman is physically smaller, not as strong as a man, not as used to fighting, as well as possibly restricted in what she can do by her clothing or shoes. Add all of that up and you realise that a woman is probably more vulnerable to an attack than a man. Women must therefore protect themselves. Though self-defence skills are useful (and ‘all women’ self-defence classes are generally available), I suggest that you can better defend yourself with preparation, knowledge, intelligence and awareness.

It is clear that women probably make up a significant majority in some professions, so advice relating to dangers relating to work has been included in this chapter as well. However, the advice is usually also appropriate to men in the same circumstances.

Read the information below, but remember that just reading it isn’t much use to you. You have to understand and use it to protect and defend yourself. The two words you have to avoid in your life at all costs are if only. If only I had checked the car, if only I hadn’t taken that shortcut and if only I had taken an official taxi! Be aware and use a little intelligence in everything you do. The following general countermeasures should indicate the way you should be thinking. Make it a way of life so that you naturally think of risks and threats before you do anything.

Don’t think of it as an intolerable and unacceptable burden on women, think of it as just an extension of something you already do. Before you cross the road you consider the risks and threats to avoid being run over. Before you take a bite of pizza you consider the risks and threats of burning your tongue if it’s too hot or of getting a mouthful of those nasty little anchovy things! When gardening, before you pull up a weed you consider the threats and risks associated with that; is it a stinging nettle or does it have thorns? All I am suggesting is that you extend that a little to cover other circumstances.