Sex attacks put women on guard

The Australian ^ | 10/29/06 | Kate Patterson

[kiriath_jearim]

FRIGHTENED women are learning self-defence, arming themselves with personal security alarms and exercising in groups following a spate of sex attacks across Brisbane.

In the latest attack on Friday night, a man tried to drag a 20-year-old woman into bushes at Daw Rd, Runcorn, on the southside, but she managed to fight him off.

Police are now investigating at least two rapes and about 25 sexual assaults on bikeways and jogging areas since January.

They are hunting a serial predator believed responsible for many of the attacks, and several copycat offenders.

State Labor MP for northside Ashgrove Kate Jones, 27, said the assaults had changed women's behaviour.

"They feel like they have to be far more vigilant and take safety precautions," she said.

" I haven't gone walking without taking a whistle and a mobile phone with me just in case anything happens, and I know other women my age in the area that do the same."

Accountant Nirvana McBeath, 33, said she was too scared to exercise alone after a man exposed himself to her on a bikeway.

"I was really scared, and I felt threatened because I felt isolated and I didn't know what to do," she said.

Ms McBeath has joined a gym so she can exercise indoors and goes jogging only once a week with a group of friends.

"I just wouldn't risk it by going out on my own. My friends have all joined the gym, too.

"We all feel scared. It's ruined the beauty of being able to go out for a jog and enjoy exercise. You don't feel like you can do that freely.

"My husband has taken it a step further and bought me a dog. He's not happy for me to jog on my own, either."

[kiriath_jearim]

"" I haven't gone walking without taking a whistle and a mobile phone with me just in case anything happens..."

****

Those two items will certainly frighten off potential rapists/serial killers.../sarc

[The Blitherer]

Sounds like those "pieces of raw meat" are learning to fight back. They SHOULD be taking industrial strength pepper spray with them.

[BenLurkin]

They need to arm themselves with .44 caliber revolvers.

[unixfox]

My friends have all joined the gym, too.

You'd be better off joining the gun club, unless of course your a fat whiney lib. Then I say don't join the gun club.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Jog with a big bag of king brown snakes... they are just sheep and the wolves are picking them off...

[CheneyChick]

I am curious to know the description of the perps - the same swarthy males that are on the attack in Europe??

http://www.iris.org.il/blog/archives/757-Pan-European-Arab-Muslim-Gang-Rape-Epidemic.html

[CheneyChick]

P.S. I say that guns - not diamonds - are a girl's best friend.

[ArcadeQuarters]

If they'd wear veils, maybe this wouldn't happen.

[Disambiguator]

They need to arm themselves, but they can't. They are being protected by their government, who has wisely disarmed them so that rapists won't get hurt.

[tcostell]

My Wife's "Personal Security Alarm": I suppose it could be louder, but it seems to get the job done.

[Kenton]

Since your government banned guns, I suggest you get a knife and don't hesitate to use it. Nasty cuts discourage predators too.

Just take it with you everywhere you go, and remind yourself constantly how much you hate the bastards.

[JAWs]

Good thing the Aussies ditched handguns. Otherwise those poor rapists would get hurt.

[Rummyfan]

Interesting how the article leaves out any details along that line.... Could it be practitioners of the RoP?

[Rummyfan]

Ah yes... the Springfield Armory XD line. Very effective!

[CheneyChick]

Yes it is interesting that they leave out these details. I would hope that a nation like Australia which has such stringent immigration and visa requirements could avoid some of the PC crap that is taking over the U.S.

[Salamander]

*If* a knife is all they can manage, I suggest this one;

I cannot over-stress how sharp and deadly this thing is.

[Mine was a very fortunate find on eBay]...:)

A search of "Sheffield Sykes Fairbairn Commando Knife" will get a lot of affordable results.

It's 12 inches of savage security in the $45-$85 range, depending on the finish.

[lesser_satan]

Guns are illegal in AU, except for farmers who need them to fend off critters.

[TexasCajun]

When the country's muslim leader calls western-dress women 'meat', it sorta sets the stage.

[Kenton]

Yeah, Sykes-Fairbairns are cool looking, and they're the original British WW2 commando knife. Only thing is, they steel grip and cross-piece can be a little difficult on delicate hands under stressful conditions, and the tip breaks too easily.

I prefer one of these:

This is the Gerber MK I Survival knife, the little brother of the famous Gerber Mark II of VietNam fame.

The Armorhide finish on the hilt and guard are very ergonomic and easy on the little lady's delicate hands, and with it's tough 5-inch blade it's easier to conceal than the Sykes-Fairbairn. There's one going on E-Bay right now for $37 bucks, which is a steal.