Posted on 10/30/2006 11:27:49 AM PST by 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."
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
Serial rapists and inclement weather are the best thing that ever happen to health clubs.
I always carry my keys in my hands when I walk to my car, with the pointy part sticking out. I can't imagine it would feel too good lodged in some jerk's eye.
A mobile phone is a very good item to have. It's a good move to carry it with you at all times. Think about 9/11... United 93 passengers were able to organise resistance after communicating with people on the ground with their mobiles. All around smart item to have.
I always carry my keys in my hands when I walk to my car, with the pointy part sticking out. I can't imagine it would feel too good lodged in some jerk's eye.
My daughter has a .357 Smith, an alternative is a small spray bottle, two bottles of "Texas Pete" and water, aim for the eyes, works wonders and the perp won't have sinus problem for awhile.
According to the Jane Doe Foundation which is shilling for Deval Patrick, these ads are based on an irrational fear of strangers and are unfounded. They stress that most rapes are committed by relatives. Like, Deval Patrick's brother-in-law who didn't sign on to the state's Sex Offender Registry. But you can't say that either because that's a private family matter. Is there no Principal that the Libs wpn't sell out on?
Ah yes, field-expedient weaponry.
You're right, that would ruin a thug's day, alright...
Hear hear!
How about packing an Australian Webley and making damn sure you won't get raped?
On guard against what? Who are these men attacking Australian women? The article has no description.
"Your honor, my client is a Buddhist. He was trying to reach Nirvana.
I went to the court in Dearborn, Michigan the other day to file a case. Sign on the front door said "No cell phones beyond this point." I grumbled and put it in my car.
Now, if some elderly person has to walk or take the bus to the courthouse, what is he supposed to do? So much for "carry a cell phone everywhere you go." Wonder if they would confiscate his whistle, too?
My point? First they take away your gun, then tell you to carry something else, then effectively tell you not to bother carrying that, either.
"Who are these men attacking Australian women? The article has no description."
Well, I'd say going jogging with a dog should act as good repellant for most of the marauding, rapacious "youths" I've been reading about in Australia.
It isn't "Sex" as the title says. It's rape, assault and sometimes murder. It isn't a crime of passion, it's a crime of violence. All of the papers know that a headline with the word sex in it is going to get more attention, accuracy be damned. I didn't read the whole article, fwiw.
Umm....I already have one of those, too....LOL!
[it's not like I *love* daggers or anything although my biker friends call me "Eddie Scissorhands" because they never know which or how many are secreted upon my person at any given time]....;]
The Sykes handle problem can be overcome by rolling rubber O rings onto the handle.
You have to buy several sizes to accomodate the different groove diameters but it works great.
The "death grip" the O rings provide pretty much eliminates the cross-piece problem.
*If* [God forbid] I ever had to use it, I'd go for a solar-plexus upward stab or a simple straight into the throat thrust.
That way I'd avoid the possibility of breaking the tip off on hard bone.
[yes, I'd be much more concerned about the welfare of my beautiful knife than the perp]
Heck, I just love the thing because it's sexy....;D
Plus, it's long, thin, matte black and so nearly invisible that it can be neatly and discretely slid into the inside of a tall black boot.
We have a half Nez Perce, half Irish friend who hand-knaps flint and obsidian knives.
You should see some of the daggers he's made me.
Wicked sharp things that conveniently masquerade as objets d'art.
Add a spike buck antler to the key ring.
Just drill a hole into the base of the antler and slide it onto the split ring.
Mine's about 6 inches.
Makes it easy to always find your keys, too.....:)
See post #36.
It's enough to go through an eye socket into a brain.
Now *that* would really ruin a perp's day.
[hey...I'm small. I gotta fight dirty].....;D
You have a good attitude, and field-expedient weapons are better than no weapons at all ... but there are plenty of quick-opening utility knives that would be even better. Guns, of course, are generally better than knives ... if they're available.
I like a good knife in hand but I also have a fondness for a sharp short Machete in the trunk...as well as a Louisville Slugger bat. Both are dual purpose as were Saddam's WMDs!
One time in NY, I sat down on the subway next to a guy who looked pretty normal and he suddenly turned to me, whipped a Bic pen out of his jacket pocket, and said, "Do you know I could kill somebody with this?"
Fortunately, he didn't seem to have me in mind, and simply recounted various ways (nose, ear, etc.) he could kill with a Bic pen. The other passengers were fascinated and were all ready to run for their lives. I was a little freaked out, but I did get some useful tips...
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