1/2 OT - subject of use of knitting needles as weapons

legal so long as she uses it for self-defense and not as a weapon. If she can get away from an attacker, that would be preferable, but she'd be best off learning when it's OK and not OK to use such a tactic.

BTW, I had absolutely no problems with things like that on campus when I was in college, but I lived 40 miles away and not on campus itself. Still, rapes on campus are rare, so even if she worries, she might not ever have to use that information. Tell her to be prepared, but not paranoid. Keep herself out of situations that put her at risk and then trust her instincts.

I have heard of people carrying a pot of pepper to fling in the would be assailants face. An umbrella is another good weapon , a quick jab in the stomach and when they bend down a good bashing round the head and scarper pronto. Shirley

In message , Mirjam Bruck-Cohen writes

Ps , but also have her have a whistle and please enquire with authorities if she can carry a gas spray or something like that ... Anyway a Good High qulity alcohol Deodorant Might be useful if handy enough , = in an easy to open outside pocket on her bag,,,,, she might also get used to wear a many pocketed Vest like tourists do ,,,,,keeps things close to hand. mirjam

Susan, When I go for walks or am shopping alone in the city I carry "PepperGuard". It is pepper spray in a hand held container and legal. I got it at the Kinney's Drug Store here where I live in northern, NY. I had to sign for it and give my license, name and address. It is good for five sprays. It is 10% mace. Here is a website that has it:

........They are mean and nasty folk in this town, and I do not

I would suggest some kind of pepper spray.

About the circular needles...I would worry that they might be taken from her and used against her.

BonnieBlue

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions. One thing, though, she lives in town where the rest of the poor town lives and works, while campus and many if not most of the students are about 3 miles away. She does not drive, so bicycle and walking are her modes of transportation. This is her decision, but the fact is, I am not always so sure of her decisions. I love the area where she lives, but they, she and her roommate, have already been accosted by locals living nearby who were asking for sexual favors and the like. She knew how to handle that, at least temporarily, but when she brings up the negative things happening on her way to and from school, I worry. I was thinking of the circ only for in her home, but it might prove a backfire as someone mentioned. We will be getting some pepper spray and in the mean time some nasty deodorant.

Thanks so much for this wonderful group!

Susan

Susan, is your daughter is your daughter psychologically prepared to use force to defend herself? Is she street smart? Law enforcement officers with tell you don't flash a weapon unless you are willing to use it. College campuses offer lectures on what to do it you are attacked, as do some police departments, and self defense classes for women. Check with the local police department, tasers are legal in some places. A can of cheap hair spray has a high alcohol content and will burn the eyes. A metal, rat tailed comb used with force can do as much damage as a knife, a fork can also be used quite effectively as a weapon. Elbows, fingers and feet make good weapons also when used in conjunction with knowledge of the venerable parts of the body. DA

Just another thought, I do beadwork and have just beaded some hair sticks. Does she have long hair that she can put a couple of those in.

They can be sharp and lethal. Shirley

In message , DA writes

Hello Susan

Cat calls and being really attacted are two different things.

I think it is a good idea that your daughter learns to defend herself, and that she is taught how to do that properly. How to not attract cat calls. I have no idea how you daugher dresses, but from what I have seen today on campus, many girls are dressed rather skimpely. I would say dressed to taunt and attract sexual interest from young males. It would be a good idea for her to carry a good wistle or have a loud horn on her bike. She should also always be aware what her escape routes are. Do you think that she will hold her own with a set of small knitting needles when a young male will attact her, or will she maybe make him so angry that she is in real trouble. Violence attract violence. I am sure that there are good guidance sources on campus to tell girls to stay one step ahead of being attacted. Try to cycle with a friend, the buddy system is a good one. Know where you are at all times. Have a cell phone with you to call for help. etc etc. I would never tell my daughters to have knitting needles with them to use as wapons, for fear that they will be used against them. In Canada it is illegal to carry concealed wapons, even if they are knitting needles. A catcall does not warrant a stabbed eye. How does your daughter feel about this all and does she have any good ideas on how to be ready if she does get attacted or get into trouble.

Els

I would not carry a knitting needle in my purse (or pocket if it is that small). Unless you have a knitting bag with you that you could possibly be working on, this would definitely be considered carrying a concealed weapon... and even if she was attacked and defended herself with the needle, things could be reversed and she could be the one charged with violence.

However, if your daughter has long fingernails there is nothing wrong with carrying a nailfile. And she could also (if she is feeling uncomfortable like something might possibly happen) carry her keys in a way that at least one key is sticking out from between her fingers to use if she absolutely has to.

For the most part though, I think the buddy system is best... my Mom used to always say "There is safety in numbers". People (girls) are less likely to be attacked if they have someone else with them, rather than if they are walking through a park or by an alley by themselves.

Gemini

Good Advice , Els , God Bless Gwen

Just for the humorous record, Susie would not be caught dead with any skin showing. She wears long sleeves all year round, no belly shows for her, and a bathing suit at the beach is fine as long as she is covered with towels the minute she comes from the water. She is a bit odd. I do appreciate all the comments and the good ideas. I just want her to be as safe as is possible without breaking the law. She and her room mate do not have classes at the same time. The busses run irratically if at all, so lone bike rides are pretty normal for her. It is on relatively busy streets, but as I said, without saying so, these rednecks are slovenly and gross. They are dirty and take pride in how they treat their women...all bad. So I do want her to be safe from them no matter what.

Susan

"That's the man that attacked me, Officer. I can smell my cologne from here!" sorry, had to be said.

I think self-defence lessons and martial arts are wonderful because they teach you so much about being aware of your surroundings and presenting a confident image.

When I was at college I often used to have to take a late bus and walk on quite a lonely road home. I always wore comfy shoes, clothes in which I could run and took great care not to overload myself with "stuff'. I used to carry my keys with the key-ring in the palm of my hand and the keys sticking out between my fingers.

Eimear

I remember hearing somewhere that when walking to your car at night, you should hold your keys between your fingers. Hold your hand in a fist with the keys protruding from between your fingers. One punch should hurt a lot this way.

Pepper spray is definately good for would be attackers if you have it handy. But also a sock filled with heavy coins, (rememeber the movie Death Wish) Swing that thing near anyone and that would defineately hurt.

Kedela

ejk wrote:

Susan, your daughter may be different, but she does not sound odd at all. I am a very liberal woman, and talk openly about all kinds of topics, I do think though that we have gone way over the top dressing wise. Both for men and women and Teens. I do think that it is not a good idea to come to classes half dressed, totally underestimating the strong sexual drives of teenagers. Great that she is different, sounds like she thinks for herself. She sould take a special class in self defense. I know that in some cities, you can go to the YWCA or even ask the police if they know of good classes being held in self defense. Often it is common sense. Letting a friend or buddy know where you are going to be, when you leave and plan to arrive etc. Good luck with this and certainly good that you are thinking about it that is half of your defense allready

Els

PS I do hope that this last bad storm will not hit Florida, it sounds very omnious when you hear what they are saying about Wilma

Els

Lucky and Good for us, the above is not the rule but the exception to the rule. For woman the buddy system is a good one, but even so, let it be known that violence, abductions, and murders are first and foremost a family affair, or close friends affairs. That is so in the States as well as in Canada.

I still want to give this question and debate a possitive swing. Lets be allert, and educated in looking after ourselves, that will get you a long way.

Els

Hear, hear, Els!

Katherine