Women Are Sharing All The Ways They Protect Themselves While Running Alone
Running can be a peaceful and reflective time to clear your head – but if you’re a woman these peaceful thoughts can easily be interrupted by hyper-vigilance for personal safety. Amanda Deibert, a writer for TV and comic books, proved just how frightening a simple run can be by tweeting out about the topic of running safety that was shared in her mom group.
Deibert then widened the question to Twitter, asking her followers for their own safety strategies, and it quickly went viral. Deibert used to be a runner, but now she mostly hikes and walks. The writer told BuzzFeed News, the response made her “sad,” with women sharing everything from photos with their large dogs to knives to pepper spray.
This writer’s twitter thread on the measures women runners take to protect themselves has gone viral and it’s eye-opening
Image credits: amandadeibert
Image credits: amandadeibert
Deibert told Good Morning America the reactions were astonishing, “When I was reading the thread that all just kind of hit me, that is something we all do, all the time, without thinking about it,” she told the outlet. “It speaks to how universal it is, that every woman does have an answer to this question.”
Image credits: amandadeibert
The original tweet prompted thousands of alarming replies
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Fisher Defensive Go Guarded Ring is a heavy-duty plastic serrated-edge weapon that is worn on any finger. The serrated edges can be used to fight off an attacker and even scrape off DNA. The product is convenient because does not need to be retrieved from a belt or fannypack, will not spray back on you, and will not be knocked out of your hand.
With women posting photos of special emergency gadgets
The SLFORCE Personal Alarm Siren is a security safe sound rape whistle. It works by pulling on the hand strap to activate a screaming siren of 130 dB – as loud as a military jet aircraft take-off – giving the runner vital seconds to flee the scene and immediately attract attention.
Or their large and intimidating canine running companions
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MMRM OK Printed Camping Opening Tactical Folding Knife Outdoor Survival Pocket Folding Blade Key Shaped Knife when folded looks an ordinary key. The total length is 12.7cm; blade length: 4.8cm; handle length: 7.5cm.
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Some women even had stories of how their equipment had save them already
The Pepper Spray Keychain for Women Blingsting Pepper Spray contains 10% Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) formula for maximum stopping power. This pepper spray projects 10-feet / 3 meters to prevent wind blowback. Pepper Spray is classified as an inflammatory agent and can immediately incapacitate and temporarily blind a potential attacker. The 1/2 ounce canister has up to 15 powerful bursts and can be replaced after use or expiration.
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It is alarming that this feeling of unsafety exists. However, for most Western countries at least it is a myth that the level of security is so low. Although many argue that guns are a way to protect freedom, I argue that doing everyday activities fully armed is a loss of freedom. Carelessness is not good, but constant vigilance means we are either too freightened or society has taken a wrong turn.
I’m sorry Petra but countries with stricter weapon laws have less violent crime. For example Homocide rates in the UK is 1 out of 100,000, Australia is 1.1 out of 100,000, Sweden is 0.9 out of 100,000 but the US which has lax weapon laws is 4.7 out of 100,000. And most of the time it is by someone they know. Since 1st July 2012 to 30th June 2014 there was 487 homicide incidents in Australia. In the US it is OVER 30,000 homicides in the same time frame.
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It is so sad that anyone has to protect themselves whilst just going for a run or anything for that matter.
The problem lies deeper than this. We have no statistics at hand about actual violent crime. The reason these people wield weapons or bring dogs is the _felt_ threat, be it a real one or an imaginary. And that they need to feel endagered while doing a perfectly normal thing is sad.
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They had a discussion about this on the BBC's Women's Hour a little while back. They came to the conclusion that it was the fact more female victims make prominent news headlines and more crime dramas have pretty young female victims that make women feel disproportionately afraid of being alone. (In the UK) If women are attacked it is most likely to be by someone they know and in a familiar setting. Attacks by strangers are relatively rare and the victims of such random attacks are heavily weighted towards young men. This has been borne out in my own friendship circle. I know far too many women who have been sexually assaulted, but always by someone they were (up to that point) friends with. On the other hand an equal number of my male friends have been beaten up in the street by random groups of men or a lone attacker with a knife.
It's not only about actual attacks. It's enough if you have guys running behind you yelling obscenities. They probably won't attack you for real, but you are still in danger and very uncomfortable to be outside the least.
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Listen: this is not a bashing of the post itself, the women, or the fact that women even have to consider these,things. It is terrible that this post even has to exist. But; sorry most of these self defenses are useless. I'm someone that has many years of self defense training, fight simulations, etc. Knifes can be good, if you can get to them, open them, and know how to use them. That,little ring knife isn't stopping anyone. Mace is very effective, but you are just as likely to mace yourself as your assiliant, leaving you temporarily blind. The gym I train/teach at holds free bi-monthly woman training classes. The,first thing to do, in a controlled environment is have,women try the self defenses that have been taught,before.9 out of 10 times they are,ineffective. Its hard to kick some one in the crotch, or poke their eyes, etc. We even give them dummy knives and sticks, and still are,able to grab them and,render them useless. Just be aware these are not fail proof.
Although I cannot find the source right now, I remember reading a report from a self-defense specialist on the same line of argumentation: most people without training to use weapons, and especially to use them in situations of mental uproar (fight-or-flight) will likely do more harm to themselves than to the attacker. However, I guess most people where these things to increase their feeling of safety. Thus, it is security theater, just like much of the actions at an airport. The real question is: do we need this security theather because we are rightfully afraid, or is there a perceived yet unreal danger because our societies do not make us feel safe?
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Any suggestion what can I give my teenage daughter for protection? She is about to start going out, I really want her to be safe. Is pepper spray ok? Whistle? Or small knife? I am maybe over-protective parent but better to be safe.
Amazon has key chain alarms that, once the pin is pulled the alarm can't be turned off until it's put back in. So if she's in danger she can pull it and throw the pin and the attacker won't be able to turn it off. That's what mine uses. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BV7BRGT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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It is probably going to be an unpopular opinion but there is a lot of research on violence rates across history detailed in the book Angel's of our better nature. The conclusion was that in most countries we have never been safer, violence rates even compared to the 70s are down massively. What remains constant is our fear of crime and violence and this is growing due to a combination of access to media and the incentive of outlets to focus on negative stories such as violent crime - sex and violence sells. This is obviously not to dismiss the problem, more just as a counter to the people who think things have never been so bad or the world is falling apart.
Just because women are at less of a risk than they where during the 70’s (the golden age of serial killers) doesn’t mean there aren’t genuine threats today.
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I too believe that more weapons breed more violence. Here in Denmark it is not legal to carry weapons for self protection - not guns (obviusly - who in their right mind lets people carry guns in public areas?!), not knives, not even pepper sprays. Some might say that these laws prevent people from being safe, but the fact is that Denmark is one of the safest places in the world to live in.
Denmark is one of the safest countries in the world because it treats its citizens well, economically and medically, and there is therefore less crime. That doesn't make forcing people to walk around defenseless right, and it only works out because of the first part.
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My mom tried giving me a knife for a solo hike. I told her I wasn’t going to stab anyone since I’m not trained, but promised I would buy some pepper spray. I’m more worried about bears and loose dogs than people out on the trail.
Bear spray is pretty effective on all mammals. I mean, you should have a knife when hiking anyway, just not necessarily for rapist stabbing purposes.
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It just blows my mind every time I read those stories. Not because I don't believe you, I do. I just can't imagine living with this amount of fear, daily. We do have gun control in Poland - and crazy evil people can happen everywhere - but I never, not once, though I need to arm myself to go on a jog through a park, or wooded area. Never needed pepper spray, knives or s**t my pants beause I am walking the streets alone after dark. When I read this, all I feel is heartbreak. I am lucky enough. But I shouldn't be in the minority. No human being should feel this way because of who they are. Regardless of them being a woman, gay, black, white, etc. life is plenty scary enough, without humans adding up to the pile.
So sad we have to worry about our safety for just going about our day and minding our business. We can't even walk outside without fear of safety. I quit running due to pervs who liked to yell obscene or sexual things to me. If I do have to go out I bring a taser.
Lol Half of these items are illegal where I live. You cannot carry any blades for self defense, only for use as a tool. If a cop finds you you can get arrested.
Wait, someone is suggesting that if they were a girl they'd go running with a gun!? That's not very conducive to good running form.
Just sad... very sad. Wonder how many men carry weapons etc to protect themselves from women while running? Just sad, Not to make too much assumption but is this mostly usa or other countries too? I'm in uk and I'd go outside whatever time and would not feel scared, maybe depends where you live? Still very disturbing.
I don't think apps with a panic button or knives tucked behind your back would work fast enough. I do like the dogs though 😂😂 and the woman with the hammer. I walked to a friend's house a few years back. Wasnt very far but I carried a sword 😂😂😂😂😂😂 with rings through the blade so it jingled the whole time
That highlights the differences between our countries. If I had done that I would have had the armed defenders squad arresting me pretty darn quick!
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I'm so glad that I live in a nice area, that's not in America!! I hike alone, deep into the forest with headphones on with nothing but a bear bell, cause I'm a hell of a lot more afraid of a bear than a man. It must really suck to be so paranoid all the time.
You live in a nice area that's not America does not guarantee safety. Any woman, anywhere can be attacked at any time--more often by someone she knows than by someone she doesn't.
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Ya you try going through Court house screening and admit to them that your big knife or knife ring and pepper spray are for humans. Thats admitting violence towards other people.
You are allowed to carry weapons for self defense.
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I wonder if these women only feel unsafe in the park/on trails or in the streets too? I thought about running around the pond on the quay promenade but now I'm not sure...
"...but now I'm not sure...". This is literally the problem. Statistically it's never been safer all forms of media have freaked everyone out to make it seem like the problem is worse and you falling for it is perpetuating the problem. Just go out and live your life. Research the stats and you'll be less afraid.
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I'm a male at 1m90 and +100kg... Why must it be only about women ? I've been held at knife point once and almost robbed another time. Still I'm most of the time without anything because gess what, any kind of defensive weapon is forbidden in my country (Pepper sray, batons, ...) and that is for the better. Criminality isn't high at all and I can see a lot of accident happening with, as example, this "Ring knife". As a matter of fact, I've seen a lot of non justified pepper spraying by psycho men/women. Pepper spray isn't harmless FYI, it can make someone blind or even stop the breathing process ...
Not a runner, but a woman. I carry heavy duty mosquito spar. And know how to YELL "fire fire". People will run towards that sound.
Yes! Yell 'fire', not 'help'!!! You're on the ball there magpie :)
Load More Replies... Lol most of the weapons are against the law where I live. You can't carry any blades for self defense purposes only for tool use.
Wow, I'm so glad I'm not a sexual predator who would get triggered by something like this. You go ladies, make them creeps bleed!
No, you're a white knight trying to get laid. This triggers people because it insinuates that simply jogging is an existential threat to women. The statistics don't back you up.
Load More Replies... Pretty sure most states you have to have a concealed carry to carry a form of knife. Not that it’s right but maybe they don’t care if women carry them bc it’s common sense
not if its a neck knife. neck knives are worn in sheaths one either a chain or rope around the neck so you dont need a concealed carry. also they are really nice knives i own 5 different ones. 4 modern style ones and one mountain man style one for when i do reenactments
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Oh and I've carried broken bricks and rocks visible enough for all to see I'm ready for action. Sorry. Live in south africa. Very dangerous here.
did no one notice the random tweet from a guy saying he carries a gun around "in case you wondered what being a man is like?" uh, wrong article? unless i'm missing the connection here...
the most common cause of men's death from the ages of 16 to 38 is other men. (in men over 60, it is suicide)
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It would be so interesting to know why exactly these women are carrying weapons with them. Is it because of actual encounters or stories they heard or just a general paranoia brought up by others? I strongly believe in laws of attraction and never carry weapons with me. My body and a sharp mind should be enough to get out of any situation, all else I think is giving power to negative forces and loosing freedom and peace of mind
A friend running on a rural road met a would-be rapist. She had no weapon and no one would have heard a scream. She had to pee, so she did and followed with a nice loud fart. He changed his mind and she was able to leave with a promise not to tell. She would have kept her promise except that the next day on her run she found a ripped pair of underpants. The moral? Use whatever's handy.
I take my dog along. He's a Belgian Malinois (think German Shepard, but on *crack*). He failed school. I can turn Protection Mode, but it doesn't always turn off.
I always have a knife, small brass knuckles on my keychain, and let someone I trust know where I am. I used to work at a bar (in Las Vegas- with gaming, aka lots of cash around) and I found wasp spray to be the most effective deterrent of choice - hits strong at long distances and is so noxious that you don’t need great aim. Kept a couple cans stashed behind my bar so it was always within a couple steps reach.
I used to have to walk home from my school in Boston every night- and being 5'1" f I was definitely vulnerable- so I cultivated an aggressive and unpredictable posture and carried mace. Nobody messed with me- but I was terrified for the entire time I was in school. Definitely psychologically damaging. Plus I still catch myself walking crazy even 30 years later... it's probably kept me safe more than I know
Yepp, the "I am from here, I carry nothing you would steal and I am a meaner son of a b***h than you could ever imagine"-posture. It is the total opposite of the "I am a tourist loaded with cash and goodies and I do not even know quite where I am"-walk.
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Having worked as an engineer/programmer since the late 1960s (read: long hours, and frequently traveling alone), I was extremely frustrated when airline security started preventing me from taking my pepper spray and Swiss army knife along unless I checked my baggage.
And she is still lucky living in a country where self-defense is legal.
In which country isn't it? Frankly, what you write is a typical populistic slogan. At least in the Western world, self-defense is codified in the laws of any country that I know of.
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When you know Amanda Deibert is a lesbian, it's obvious she wants to make women afraid of men, so they join her ''club''.
Jogging early in the morning or late at night, hiking alone, is not safe for men nor women. Most people in my country wouldn't do these things.
For EU women only: It would help if you stop voting for lefty b******t parties that allow illegal migration with thousand of rapefugees that gona kill you later anyway. If you're lucky you won't get raped before. The kill count of Merkel refugees must be by like 2000.
Thank you for the thread. It made me appreciate so much more the fact that I do not live in America. It must take a terrible psychological toll to have to live with that much concern about the possibility of being attacked. Though I have traveled extensively, I have only seen a handgun belonging to a private citizen once. The owner was American. Where I live, only hunters have weapons. Violent crime is very uncommon, it is mainly family related, and women on the whole feel safe, and act as though they know that they are safe even if they say that they are afraid (bad television). It is very nice not to be burdened by fear, to live with freedom from fear. Let me suggest that one of the reasons for the lower rate of violent crime is stringent gun control laws, another is readily available healthcare. Some untreated mental illnesses may pose a terrible threat to both the person who is ill and to those around them.
Another thing is that the greater and the more blatant the inequality is in a country, the more violent crime there is. Add to that that unwanted children growing up with hate and poverty also add to the crime statistics. The countries with the highest homicide rates in the world also have the toughest anti-abortion laws. Misogyny is at its rifest when religion is involved in running a country. It does not have to be like that: Bravo, Ireland!
Load More Replies... "in case you're wondering what being a woman is like". You make it seem like it's a necessity. I'd like to see some stats on how often a woman jogging has to physically defend herself. I could be proven wrong, but I'm willing to bet it's extremely rare. So no, it's what being a woman is like if you are afraid all the time and decide to arm yourself while running. Go ahead and protect yourself because it's not a bad idea, but to pretend it's necessary because you're a girl is f****d up sexism.
I've checked the stats, it's much safer (as far as actual violence is concerned, not yelling or so) for women out there.
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The world is not more dangerous than it ever was. Humans have always been animals. Literally. We just get news faster and from everywhere all the time. Often way over sensationalized. That said, get a pistol and learn how to use it. The world is not *more* dangerous, it is just dangerous.
As a man, this makes me want to weep, my wife jogs a lot and she has always carried just the loud alarm you pull the pin from.
Personally - its not about being afraid, or I wouldn't go out. It's about being prepared.
I think we've always needed to protect ourselves as lone women or men, walking or running in a secluded place. We just hear about incidents far more because of the internet news etc. So at least now we have things to protect ourselves which weren't around in the 70s and 80s when I used to walk home from work in the dark. I didn't like it at all I was always worried. If you're not worried about being on your own walking or running then I don't think you're very wise. I think it's a basic caveman instinct which is difficult to loose,. At least if your aware your adrenal glands will be getting ready to fight or flight ........ I think we expect too much, and we expect to do our activities in safety but I'm afraid there's nearly always a danger involved that's just life.
Men usually gets sectually assaulted before they leave the hospital as babies Us women have until teenage years before we start fearing, but at least we have a chance to escape it and the option to choose to protect ourselves
Little baby boys usually gets sexually assaulted by the time they leave the hospital Us women have to wait until puberty to start fearing But at least we have a chance to protect ourselves , although personally i couldn't
A switchblade knife is pretty intimidating but you need to Know how to use it so that it doesn’t fall into the hands of the bad guy
trans boy here. I love going to the park to go on swings,but I rarely pass so I get pervy s**t too,but not to the same degree as my best friend Sofia, who gets catcalled a lot and has even had men touch her a*s and chest and crotch area. it's been so bad that I often pretend to be her boyfriend in order to protect her.
It's a shame its come to this--to have to carry a weapon. But in this day and age, we are lucky to have so many technologically advanced weaponry to choose from, although I think I like the one about the jogger lady carrying a hammer the best, LOL!
Alright, at the risk of downvotes, I feel the need to do something of a PSA. My primary job is as a manager for a security company- among other things, I train people in tactics and use of force. because of that, I troll a lot of incident reports- and not just internal things, but from the cops as well. So... anyhow: OC spray is the most useless piece of trash ever. It will not, under any circumstances, stop a determined aggressor. Same goes for the alarm-dongles. (They might draw attention, but probably not, especially if your in a crowd.) Knives are vastly more likely to cause you harm. Even if you do carry them, any folder is likely to be more useless and should never be used for self defense. Folders break. they take to long to get out, are too awkard to use. short of lethal force, I would recommend a baton. used properly, it can go from a bare minimum of force (PPCT) to lethal (head strikes) and usually have fewer legal barriers to carrying/possession.
I'm a college student who works a night job. I ride my bike to and from work since I can't afford a car so I have police grade pepper spray (18ft, gel spray, with uv dye) and a knife on my keychain that doubles as a car window breaker. I also have emergency 911 dial set on my phone so if I click the off button 5 times, my phone blares noise and alerts the police
Best defense is curl into a ball and evacuate as many bodily fluids as possible. Like a toad and possum mixed
My personal stories: 1 - was running on a track with mace attached to my hand. Guy comes up "Aren't you afraid running out here all by yourself?" "No, I have mace"*showing my hand with the finger on the trigger*. Without another word, he turned around, got back into his car and left. 2 - I was waiting for a ride at a gas station (after I missed a bus late at night). A disheveled (and very creepy) woman comes up to me and says: It's pretty dangerous to be out here this late. I answer, while starting to put my hand into my purse "It's ok, I'm packing". Her reply "Oh..." and walks away. 3 - I came home late night from shopping. Vehicle with lights turned off was parked in the cul-de-sac of my neighborhood. While I pulled into my driveway, they slowly drive towards my house (without lights). Got my dog (pretty sturdy, big fluffy sheppard mix) from the backyard. As we come down driveway, car had stopped in front of house. Guy got out. My dog postures and growls. Guy gets in car and leaves.
literally 99% of the above might get you end up with charges, apart from running with a dog, and that police alarm (that will...do nothing much, really). Also, before brandishing a weapon, work your skills AND psyche to actually be able to use that weapon effectivelly against a person, in a high-stress situation. If you dont, good chances are that that weapon will be used against you in one way or another. Which will end badly for you.
My mom uses pepper spray and lends it to me anytime I am going on a run. It is absolutely terrible that we need to carry around KNIVES AND GUNS for a simple run. How the world has evolved.
There's no such thing as a serial killer/rapist with a normal mother, so...
Load More Replies... I exercise & go outside a lot never have any safety not even a cell phone. Always been fine. It was always under my roof where rape & danger happen. First was when an ex brought a drunk co worker over. Second was when my roommate left his step brother and friend here high on drugs. Then as a kid was my father.
Practicing self-defense methods can be great in a situation on the street. I take kung fu and some of my female friends are in the class, we talk a lot during class about methods that could potentially save you if someone attempts to sexually harass you while out
I run and I never have a weapon or anything like that on me. Yes, I am a woman, but I live in Germany. We let our kids walk to school all by themselves too
So sad we need it, when I started working shifts in a hotel my future mother in law baught me a paper spray, never had to use it. Once accidently I took it with me to Prado museum, the security didnt notice it.
You wrote ''So sad we need it'', then you wrote that you never had to use it.
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I used to show houses and since I was always alone and showing strangers empty homes (some of which were really on the far outskirts of town or straight up in BFE) my husband got me a taser that looked like a flashlight. I never went anywhere without it and once when I got to a house early and realized that some crack heads had broken into the house I was supposed to show all I had to do was flip it on and the crackling of like a million or so bolts of electricity was enough to scare them off...I've never been so happy to have a taser in my life!
This is truly frightening. Nearly all of the trinkets listed will be overcome by a determined attacker in seconds. They may thwart an unplanned crime of opportunity but not one that has been planned for a while. My wife carries the world's loudest rape whistle. The noise is fine but the wound channel that the bullet makes is final. Yes, she's very well trained as to when and how to deploy force. Nobody has the right to take her from us and she understands that.
i dont do running but i live in a sorta bad area of my city. almost three years ago a couple of teenage boys where killed less than a block away from my house and also there are drug dealers and gang members in my neighborhood. i have a weeping heart hatchet that sits next to my bed and a hunting dagger on my dresser. i also go hiking alot and when ever i go hiking i bring my neck knife. if you dont know what a neck knife is it is a small fixed blade knife that you wear in a sheath around your neck on either a cord or chain. the neck knife i have is 16.5cm long as a whole, the blade 6.6cm long, the knife is solid metal with a paracord handle. its also on a metal chain so if you lose the knife you can take the sheath off and garrote your attacker with the chain. also the way i wear it the handle is down so i dont have to grab the sheath to unsheath it. its a very good knife i highly recommend. if you wanna get one of it the name of the knife is called a Smith and Wesson SW910TAM
I used to carry a flip knife when I was in college and lived in the city. But mainly I was very cautious about when & where I went out. I had large male friends walk or drive me home (this was before Uber)—most would walk me to my doorstep and make sure I got inside before they went home. I never went running, hiking, walking alone. Now that I live in a safe suburban neighborhood I feel comfortable walking alone. There are always neighbors out all times of day jogging, walking dogs, exercising and maintaining their lawns. It is sad that women feel that they have to protect themselves with weapons and/or big dogs during their day to day routine.
If I was living in the US, I will give to my daughter a Pink GLock 9mm
Jason S Carter sounds like the reason most women have to carry some kind of defence tool.
I run with a pistol and an intimidating looking, trust me it’s only in looks, pit mix. I refuse to wear both ear buds and have the emergency call readily accessible. I won’t start a run past dusk, and I live in a safe neighborhood with multiple law enforcement officers and military officer neighbors. But I also have bobcats and coyotes present
Ya you see how far you get admitting you carry weapons to use against other humans.
Try being a Native American woman living in a society were "white is right."
A handgun is your best bet, for most a small 5 shot revolver, it ALWAYS works. Remember this saying 'GOD MADE MAN, SAM COLT MADE THEM EQUAL'. Read your American history, in the Old West EVERYONE WAS ARMED. PERIOD.
The comment by Jason S Carter... :o .... It's clearly not just women who are worried about their safety in the US. :(
Question: This sounds as if it is about running in daylight. Please tell me its about nighttime. Please tell me you do not need protection for running in daylight!
Easily turned against you if you aren’t well trained.
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Maybe but unfortunately those who were attacked will disagree with you...
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It is alarming that this feeling of unsafety exists. However, for most Western countries at least it is a myth that the level of security is so low. Although many argue that guns are a way to protect freedom, I argue that doing everyday activities fully armed is a loss of freedom. Carelessness is not good, but constant vigilance means we are either too freightened or society has taken a wrong turn.
I’m sorry Petra but countries with stricter weapon laws have less violent crime. For example Homocide rates in the UK is 1 out of 100,000, Australia is 1.1 out of 100,000, Sweden is 0.9 out of 100,000 but the US which has lax weapon laws is 4.7 out of 100,000. And most of the time it is by someone they know. Since 1st July 2012 to 30th June 2014 there was 487 homicide incidents in Australia. In the US it is OVER 30,000 homicides in the same time frame.
Load More Replies... It is so sad that anyone has to protect themselves whilst just going for a run or anything for that matter.
The problem lies deeper than this. We have no statistics at hand about actual violent crime. The reason these people wield weapons or bring dogs is the _felt_ threat, be it a real one or an imaginary. And that they need to feel endagered while doing a perfectly normal thing is sad.
Load More Replies... They had a discussion about this on the BBC's Women's Hour a little while back. They came to the conclusion that it was the fact more female victims make prominent news headlines and more crime dramas have pretty young female victims that make women feel disproportionately afraid of being alone. (In the UK) If women are attacked it is most likely to be by someone they know and in a familiar setting. Attacks by strangers are relatively rare and the victims of such random attacks are heavily weighted towards young men. This has been borne out in my own friendship circle. I know far too many women who have been sexually assaulted, but always by someone they were (up to that point) friends with. On the other hand an equal number of my male friends have been beaten up in the street by random groups of men or a lone attacker with a knife.
It's not only about actual attacks. It's enough if you have guys running behind you yelling obscenities. They probably won't attack you for real, but you are still in danger and very uncomfortable to be outside the least.
Load More Replies... Listen: this is not a bashing of the post itself, the women, or the fact that women even have to consider these,things. It is terrible that this post even has to exist. But; sorry most of these self defenses are useless. I'm someone that has many years of self defense training, fight simulations, etc. Knifes can be good, if you can get to them, open them, and know how to use them. That,little ring knife isn't stopping anyone. Mace is very effective, but you are just as likely to mace yourself as your assiliant, leaving you temporarily blind. The gym I train/teach at holds free bi-monthly woman training classes. The,first thing to do, in a controlled environment is have,women try the self defenses that have been taught,before.9 out of 10 times they are,ineffective. Its hard to kick some one in the crotch, or poke their eyes, etc. We even give them dummy knives and sticks, and still are,able to grab them and,render them useless. Just be aware these are not fail proof.
Although I cannot find the source right now, I remember reading a report from a self-defense specialist on the same line of argumentation: most people without training to use weapons, and especially to use them in situations of mental uproar (fight-or-flight) will likely do more harm to themselves than to the attacker. However, I guess most people where these things to increase their feeling of safety. Thus, it is security theater, just like much of the actions at an airport. The real question is: do we need this security theather because we are rightfully afraid, or is there a perceived yet unreal danger because our societies do not make us feel safe?
Load More Replies... Any suggestion what can I give my teenage daughter for protection? She is about to start going out, I really want her to be safe. Is pepper spray ok? Whistle? Or small knife? I am maybe over-protective parent but better to be safe.
Amazon has key chain alarms that, once the pin is pulled the alarm can't be turned off until it's put back in. So if she's in danger she can pull it and throw the pin and the attacker won't be able to turn it off. That's what mine uses. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BV7BRGT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Load More Replies... It is probably going to be an unpopular opinion but there is a lot of research on violence rates across history detailed in the book Angel's of our better nature. The conclusion was that in most countries we have never been safer, violence rates even compared to the 70s are down massively. What remains constant is our fear of crime and violence and this is growing due to a combination of access to media and the incentive of outlets to focus on negative stories such as violent crime - sex and violence sells. This is obviously not to dismiss the problem, more just as a counter to the people who think things have never been so bad or the world is falling apart.
Just because women are at less of a risk than they where during the 70’s (the golden age of serial killers) doesn’t mean there aren’t genuine threats today.
Load More Replies... I too believe that more weapons breed more violence. Here in Denmark it is not legal to carry weapons for self protection - not guns (obviusly - who in their right mind lets people carry guns in public areas?!), not knives, not even pepper sprays. Some might say that these laws prevent people from being safe, but the fact is that Denmark is one of the safest places in the world to live in.
Denmark is one of the safest countries in the world because it treats its citizens well, economically and medically, and there is therefore less crime. That doesn't make forcing people to walk around defenseless right, and it only works out because of the first part.
Load More Replies... My mom tried giving me a knife for a solo hike. I told her I wasn’t going to stab anyone since I’m not trained, but promised I would buy some pepper spray. I’m more worried about bears and loose dogs than people out on the trail.
Bear spray is pretty effective on all mammals. I mean, you should have a knife when hiking anyway, just not necessarily for rapist stabbing purposes.
Load More Replies... It just blows my mind every time I read those stories. Not because I don't believe you, I do. I just can't imagine living with this amount of fear, daily. We do have gun control in Poland - and crazy evil people can happen everywhere - but I never, not once, though I need to arm myself to go on a jog through a park, or wooded area. Never needed pepper spray, knives or s**t my pants beause I am walking the streets alone after dark. When I read this, all I feel is heartbreak. I am lucky enough. But I shouldn't be in the minority. No human being should feel this way because of who they are. Regardless of them being a woman, gay, black, white, etc. life is plenty scary enough, without humans adding up to the pile.
So sad we have to worry about our safety for just going about our day and minding our business. We can't even walk outside without fear of safety. I quit running due to pervs who liked to yell obscene or sexual things to me. If I do have to go out I bring a taser.
Lol Half of these items are illegal where I live. You cannot carry any blades for self defense, only for use as a tool. If a cop finds you you can get arrested.
Wait, someone is suggesting that if they were a girl they'd go running with a gun!? That's not very conducive to good running form.
Just sad... very sad. Wonder how many men carry weapons etc to protect themselves from women while running? Just sad, Not to make too much assumption but is this mostly usa or other countries too? I'm in uk and I'd go outside whatever time and would not feel scared, maybe depends where you live? Still very disturbing.
I don't think apps with a panic button or knives tucked behind your back would work fast enough. I do like the dogs though 😂😂 and the woman with the hammer. I walked to a friend's house a few years back. Wasnt very far but I carried a sword 😂😂😂😂😂😂 with rings through the blade so it jingled the whole time
That highlights the differences between our countries. If I had done that I would have had the armed defenders squad arresting me pretty darn quick!
Load More Replies... I'm so glad that I live in a nice area, that's not in America!! I hike alone, deep into the forest with headphones on with nothing but a bear bell, cause I'm a hell of a lot more afraid of a bear than a man. It must really suck to be so paranoid all the time.
You live in a nice area that's not America does not guarantee safety. Any woman, anywhere can be attacked at any time--more often by someone she knows than by someone she doesn't.
Load More Replies... Ya you try going through Court house screening and admit to them that your big knife or knife ring and pepper spray are for humans. Thats admitting violence towards other people.
You are allowed to carry weapons for self defense.
Load More Replies... I wonder if these women only feel unsafe in the park/on trails or in the streets too? I thought about running around the pond on the quay promenade but now I'm not sure...
"...but now I'm not sure...". This is literally the problem. Statistically it's never been safer all forms of media have freaked everyone out to make it seem like the problem is worse and you falling for it is perpetuating the problem. Just go out and live your life. Research the stats and you'll be less afraid.
Load More Replies... I'm a male at 1m90 and +100kg... Why must it be only about women ? I've been held at knife point once and almost robbed another time. Still I'm most of the time without anything because gess what, any kind of defensive weapon is forbidden in my country (Pepper sray, batons, ...) and that is for the better. Criminality isn't high at all and I can see a lot of accident happening with, as example, this "Ring knife". As a matter of fact, I've seen a lot of non justified pepper spraying by psycho men/women. Pepper spray isn't harmless FYI, it can make someone blind or even stop the breathing process ...
Not a runner, but a woman. I carry heavy duty mosquito spar. And know how to YELL "fire fire". People will run towards that sound.
Yes! Yell 'fire', not 'help'!!! You're on the ball there magpie :)
Load More Replies... Lol most of the weapons are against the law where I live. You can't carry any blades for self defense purposes only for tool use.
Wow, I'm so glad I'm not a sexual predator who would get triggered by something like this. You go ladies, make them creeps bleed!
No, you're a white knight trying to get laid. This triggers people because it insinuates that simply jogging is an existential threat to women. The statistics don't back you up.
Load More Replies... Pretty sure most states you have to have a concealed carry to carry a form of knife. Not that it’s right but maybe they don’t care if women carry them bc it’s common sense
not if its a neck knife. neck knives are worn in sheaths one either a chain or rope around the neck so you dont need a concealed carry. also they are really nice knives i own 5 different ones. 4 modern style ones and one mountain man style one for when i do reenactments
Load More Replies... Oh and I've carried broken bricks and rocks visible enough for all to see I'm ready for action. Sorry. Live in south africa. Very dangerous here.
did no one notice the random tweet from a guy saying he carries a gun around "in case you wondered what being a man is like?" uh, wrong article? unless i'm missing the connection here...
the most common cause of men's death from the ages of 16 to 38 is other men. (in men over 60, it is suicide)
Load More Replies... It would be so interesting to know why exactly these women are carrying weapons with them. Is it because of actual encounters or stories they heard or just a general paranoia brought up by others? I strongly believe in laws of attraction and never carry weapons with me. My body and a sharp mind should be enough to get out of any situation, all else I think is giving power to negative forces and loosing freedom and peace of mind
A friend running on a rural road met a would-be rapist. She had no weapon and no one would have heard a scream. She had to pee, so she did and followed with a nice loud fart. He changed his mind and she was able to leave with a promise not to tell. She would have kept her promise except that the next day on her run she found a ripped pair of underpants. The moral? Use whatever's handy.
I take my dog along. He's a Belgian Malinois (think German Shepard, but on *crack*). He failed school. I can turn Protection Mode, but it doesn't always turn off.
I always have a knife, small brass knuckles on my keychain, and let someone I trust know where I am. I used to work at a bar (in Las Vegas- with gaming, aka lots of cash around) and I found wasp spray to be the most effective deterrent of choice - hits strong at long distances and is so noxious that you don’t need great aim. Kept a couple cans stashed behind my bar so it was always within a couple steps reach.
I used to have to walk home from my school in Boston every night- and being 5'1" f I was definitely vulnerable- so I cultivated an aggressive and unpredictable posture and carried mace. Nobody messed with me- but I was terrified for the entire time I was in school. Definitely psychologically damaging. Plus I still catch myself walking crazy even 30 years later... it's probably kept me safe more than I know
Yepp, the "I am from here, I carry nothing you would steal and I am a meaner son of a b***h than you could ever imagine"-posture. It is the total opposite of the "I am a tourist loaded with cash and goodies and I do not even know quite where I am"-walk.
Load More Replies... Having worked as an engineer/programmer since the late 1960s (read: long hours, and frequently traveling alone), I was extremely frustrated when airline security started preventing me from taking my pepper spray and Swiss army knife along unless I checked my baggage.
And she is still lucky living in a country where self-defense is legal.
In which country isn't it? Frankly, what you write is a typical populistic slogan. At least in the Western world, self-defense is codified in the laws of any country that I know of.
Load More Replies... When you know Amanda Deibert is a lesbian, it's obvious she wants to make women afraid of men, so they join her ''club''.
Jogging early in the morning or late at night, hiking alone, is not safe for men nor women. Most people in my country wouldn't do these things.
For EU women only: It would help if you stop voting for lefty b******t parties that allow illegal migration with thousand of rapefugees that gona kill you later anyway. If you're lucky you won't get raped before. The kill count of Merkel refugees must be by like 2000.
Thank you for the thread. It made me appreciate so much more the fact that I do not live in America. It must take a terrible psychological toll to have to live with that much concern about the possibility of being attacked. Though I have traveled extensively, I have only seen a handgun belonging to a private citizen once. The owner was American. Where I live, only hunters have weapons. Violent crime is very uncommon, it is mainly family related, and women on the whole feel safe, and act as though they know that they are safe even if they say that they are afraid (bad television). It is very nice not to be burdened by fear, to live with freedom from fear. Let me suggest that one of the reasons for the lower rate of violent crime is stringent gun control laws, another is readily available healthcare. Some untreated mental illnesses may pose a terrible threat to both the person who is ill and to those around them.
Another thing is that the greater and the more blatant the inequality is in a country, the more violent crime there is. Add to that that unwanted children growing up with hate and poverty also add to the crime statistics. The countries with the highest homicide rates in the world also have the toughest anti-abortion laws. Misogyny is at its rifest when religion is involved in running a country. It does not have to be like that: Bravo, Ireland!
Load More Replies... "in case you're wondering what being a woman is like". You make it seem like it's a necessity. I'd like to see some stats on how often a woman jogging has to physically defend herself. I could be proven wrong, but I'm willing to bet it's extremely rare. So no, it's what being a woman is like if you are afraid all the time and decide to arm yourself while running. Go ahead and protect yourself because it's not a bad idea, but to pretend it's necessary because you're a girl is f****d up sexism.
I've checked the stats, it's much safer (as far as actual violence is concerned, not yelling or so) for women out there.
Load More Replies... The world is not more dangerous than it ever was. Humans have always been animals. Literally. We just get news faster and from everywhere all the time. Often way over sensationalized. That said, get a pistol and learn how to use it. The world is not *more* dangerous, it is just dangerous.
As a man, this makes me want to weep, my wife jogs a lot and she has always carried just the loud alarm you pull the pin from.
Personally - its not about being afraid, or I wouldn't go out. It's about being prepared.
I think we've always needed to protect ourselves as lone women or men, walking or running in a secluded place. We just hear about incidents far more because of the internet news etc. So at least now we have things to protect ourselves which weren't around in the 70s and 80s when I used to walk home from work in the dark. I didn't like it at all I was always worried. If you're not worried about being on your own walking or running then I don't think you're very wise. I think it's a basic caveman instinct which is difficult to loose,. At least if your aware your adrenal glands will be getting ready to fight or flight ........ I think we expect too much, and we expect to do our activities in safety but I'm afraid there's nearly always a danger involved that's just life.
Men usually gets sectually assaulted before they leave the hospital as babies Us women have until teenage years before we start fearing, but at least we have a chance to escape it and the option to choose to protect ourselves
Little baby boys usually gets sexually assaulted by the time they leave the hospital Us women have to wait until puberty to start fearing But at least we have a chance to protect ourselves , although personally i couldn't
A switchblade knife is pretty intimidating but you need to Know how to use it so that it doesn’t fall into the hands of the bad guy
trans boy here. I love going to the park to go on swings,but I rarely pass so I get pervy s**t too,but not to the same degree as my best friend Sofia, who gets catcalled a lot and has even had men touch her a*s and chest and crotch area. it's been so bad that I often pretend to be her boyfriend in order to protect her.
It's a shame its come to this--to have to carry a weapon. But in this day and age, we are lucky to have so many technologically advanced weaponry to choose from, although I think I like the one about the jogger lady carrying a hammer the best, LOL!
Alright, at the risk of downvotes, I feel the need to do something of a PSA. My primary job is as a manager for a security company- among other things, I train people in tactics and use of force. because of that, I troll a lot of incident reports- and not just internal things, but from the cops as well. So... anyhow: OC spray is the most useless piece of trash ever. It will not, under any circumstances, stop a determined aggressor. Same goes for the alarm-dongles. (They might draw attention, but probably not, especially if your in a crowd.) Knives are vastly more likely to cause you harm. Even if you do carry them, any folder is likely to be more useless and should never be used for self defense. Folders break. they take to long to get out, are too awkard to use. short of lethal force, I would recommend a baton. used properly, it can go from a bare minimum of force (PPCT) to lethal (head strikes) and usually have fewer legal barriers to carrying/possession.
I'm a college student who works a night job. I ride my bike to and from work since I can't afford a car so I have police grade pepper spray (18ft, gel spray, with uv dye) and a knife on my keychain that doubles as a car window breaker. I also have emergency 911 dial set on my phone so if I click the off button 5 times, my phone blares noise and alerts the police
Best defense is curl into a ball and evacuate as many bodily fluids as possible. Like a toad and possum mixed
My personal stories: 1 - was running on a track with mace attached to my hand. Guy comes up "Aren't you afraid running out here all by yourself?" "No, I have mace"*showing my hand with the finger on the trigger*. Without another word, he turned around, got back into his car and left. 2 - I was waiting for a ride at a gas station (after I missed a bus late at night). A disheveled (and very creepy) woman comes up to me and says: It's pretty dangerous to be out here this late. I answer, while starting to put my hand into my purse "It's ok, I'm packing". Her reply "Oh..." and walks away. 3 - I came home late night from shopping. Vehicle with lights turned off was parked in the cul-de-sac of my neighborhood. While I pulled into my driveway, they slowly drive towards my house (without lights). Got my dog (pretty sturdy, big fluffy sheppard mix) from the backyard. As we come down driveway, car had stopped in front of house. Guy got out. My dog postures and growls. Guy gets in car and leaves.
literally 99% of the above might get you end up with charges, apart from running with a dog, and that police alarm (that will...do nothing much, really). Also, before brandishing a weapon, work your skills AND psyche to actually be able to use that weapon effectivelly against a person, in a high-stress situation. If you dont, good chances are that that weapon will be used against you in one way or another. Which will end badly for you.
My mom uses pepper spray and lends it to me anytime I am going on a run. It is absolutely terrible that we need to carry around KNIVES AND GUNS for a simple run. How the world has evolved.
There's no such thing as a serial killer/rapist with a normal mother, so...
Load More Replies... I exercise & go outside a lot never have any safety not even a cell phone. Always been fine. It was always under my roof where rape & danger happen. First was when an ex brought a drunk co worker over. Second was when my roommate left his step brother and friend here high on drugs. Then as a kid was my father.
Practicing self-defense methods can be great in a situation on the street. I take kung fu and some of my female friends are in the class, we talk a lot during class about methods that could potentially save you if someone attempts to sexually harass you while out
I run and I never have a weapon or anything like that on me. Yes, I am a woman, but I live in Germany. We let our kids walk to school all by themselves too
So sad we need it, when I started working shifts in a hotel my future mother in law baught me a paper spray, never had to use it. Once accidently I took it with me to Prado museum, the security didnt notice it.
You wrote ''So sad we need it'', then you wrote that you never had to use it.
Load More Replies... I used to show houses and since I was always alone and showing strangers empty homes (some of which were really on the far outskirts of town or straight up in BFE) my husband got me a taser that looked like a flashlight. I never went anywhere without it and once when I got to a house early and realized that some crack heads had broken into the house I was supposed to show all I had to do was flip it on and the crackling of like a million or so bolts of electricity was enough to scare them off...I've never been so happy to have a taser in my life!
This is truly frightening. Nearly all of the trinkets listed will be overcome by a determined attacker in seconds. They may thwart an unplanned crime of opportunity but not one that has been planned for a while. My wife carries the world's loudest rape whistle. The noise is fine but the wound channel that the bullet makes is final. Yes, she's very well trained as to when and how to deploy force. Nobody has the right to take her from us and she understands that.
i dont do running but i live in a sorta bad area of my city. almost three years ago a couple of teenage boys where killed less than a block away from my house and also there are drug dealers and gang members in my neighborhood. i have a weeping heart hatchet that sits next to my bed and a hunting dagger on my dresser. i also go hiking alot and when ever i go hiking i bring my neck knife. if you dont know what a neck knife is it is a small fixed blade knife that you wear in a sheath around your neck on either a cord or chain. the neck knife i have is 16.5cm long as a whole, the blade 6.6cm long, the knife is solid metal with a paracord handle. its also on a metal chain so if you lose the knife you can take the sheath off and garrote your attacker with the chain. also the way i wear it the handle is down so i dont have to grab the sheath to unsheath it. its a very good knife i highly recommend. if you wanna get one of it the name of the knife is called a Smith and Wesson SW910TAM
I used to carry a flip knife when I was in college and lived in the city. But mainly I was very cautious about when & where I went out. I had large male friends walk or drive me home (this was before Uber)—most would walk me to my doorstep and make sure I got inside before they went home. I never went running, hiking, walking alone. Now that I live in a safe suburban neighborhood I feel comfortable walking alone. There are always neighbors out all times of day jogging, walking dogs, exercising and maintaining their lawns. It is sad that women feel that they have to protect themselves with weapons and/or big dogs during their day to day routine.
If I was living in the US, I will give to my daughter a Pink GLock 9mm
Jason S Carter sounds like the reason most women have to carry some kind of defence tool.
I run with a pistol and an intimidating looking, trust me it’s only in looks, pit mix. I refuse to wear both ear buds and have the emergency call readily accessible. I won’t start a run past dusk, and I live in a safe neighborhood with multiple law enforcement officers and military officer neighbors. But I also have bobcats and coyotes present
Ya you see how far you get admitting you carry weapons to use against other humans.
Try being a Native American woman living in a society were "white is right."
A handgun is your best bet, for most a small 5 shot revolver, it ALWAYS works. Remember this saying 'GOD MADE MAN, SAM COLT MADE THEM EQUAL'. Read your American history, in the Old West EVERYONE WAS ARMED. PERIOD.
The comment by Jason S Carter... :o .... It's clearly not just women who are worried about their safety in the US. :(
Question: This sounds as if it is about running in daylight. Please tell me its about nighttime. Please tell me you do not need protection for running in daylight!
Easily turned against you if you aren’t well trained.
Load More Replies... Maybe but unfortunately those who were attacked will disagree with you...
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