Community Chat

[Shawnie]

Where I live it would be foolish to go into a park by yourself, dog or not, at a time when no one else is in the park, regardless of whether it is considered a safe park. They are only safe until they are not. This is just a fact of life. My advice is don't do it. Walk in your neighborhood. It just isn't worth the risk. Trust your instincts. You are nervous. So don't do it anymore.

[gazelle77]

Skylands... I like your idea of calling my local Police Dept. and asking if there have been any issues in that park! And yes, I never have taken a self defence class and I really should. Thank-you for these suggestion in being proactive in my feeling less fear.

[Nancy Drew]

It depends on what kind of park. Mine is full (almost too much) of people, strollers, dogs....... If it is very isolated then that is another story.

[stilltamn8r]

On 7/3/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 7/3/2014 Skylands said:

On 7/3/2014 gazelle77 said:

On 7/2/2014 ennui1 said:

Does this park have a history of violence, or are you just being weird?

You could buy a treadmill and stay home.

I think hearing about things in other places... even locally, but not in this park, has made me fearful... which has lead to me not enjoying my freedoms as I should be able to. Yes, I have a treadmill and could stay home. I just think it is a travesty that we as women have to plan for an attack or always be on alert when just minding our own business.

Take charge:

1)take a women's defense class.

2)Call your local PD and ask about crime in the area you walk.

3) Find another place to walk that is more populated.

U R acting like a victim. This isn't empowering and will only subject U to harm. Take charge of your life!

That's an awful thing to say and not true. Someone would have to live in a cave not to realize women are attacked every day in this country and around the world. Trying to be careful and knowing the dangers is not acting like a victim.

Being pro-active and "acting like a victim" are totally different things!!! If I lock my doors, am I "acting like a victim"??????

[gazelle77]

On 7/3/2014 Nancy Drew said:

It depends on what kind of park. Mine is full (almost too much) of people, strollers, dogs....... It is very isolated then that is another story.

Nancy, everytime I go to this place there is no one but me. It is so beautiful and nice, with paved trails, natural spring creek, play swings and such for children. I wish it were full of other people with their dogs. Being that it is more of a private place for the people living only in the surrounding homes, not public, is why it is not as busy.

[NoelSeven]

On 7/3/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:

I think women are definitely more vulnerable. I think on average any attacker is going to assume that a woman is less able to defend herself because of size, etc.

Also, the reasons women are attacked are different.

Also, I don't think men have the same fear level as women about this.

There was some sort of experiment done with this that I read about years ago. A guy dressed as a woman and went about his daily routine. At the end of the day., he had a whole new perspective. He said just "being" a woman for the day showed him how differently women are treated and interact with the world.

I just read an article on Think Progress this morning, two women were attacked and beaten after SF's Pride parade. Both young (20s), not big, one looked small. There were several men together on the street, the small brunette reportedly was kicked almost a dozen times, once in the head "as if it was a football." One asked why and was told because they were gay.

It stopped when someone passing by intervened and scared them off. It made me want to cry. The horror of it all.

[gazelle77]

On 7/3/2014 Shawnie said: Where I live it would be foolish to go into a park by yourself, dog or not, at a time when no one else is in the park, regardless of whether it is considered a safe park. They are only safe until they are not. This is just a fact of life. My advice is don't do it. Walk in your neighborhood. It just isn't worth the risk. Trust your instincts. You are nervous. So don't do it anymore.

shawnie, thank you.. this is what my gut tells me.

[Marienkaefer2]

On 7/3/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 7/3/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:

I think women are definitely more vulnerable. I think on average any attacker is going to assume that a woman is less able to defend herself because of size, etc.

Also, the reasons women are attacked are different.

Also, I don't think men have the same fear level as women about this.

There was some sort of experiment done with this that I read about years ago. A guy dressed as a woman and went about his daily routine. At the end of the day., he had a whole new perspective. He said just "being" a woman for the day showed him how differently women are treated and interact with the world.

I just read an article on Think Progress this morning, two women were attacked and beaten after SF's Pride parade. Both young (20s), not big, one looked small. There were several men together on the street, the small brunette reportedly was kicked almost a dozen times, once in the head "as if it was a football." One asked why and was told because they were gay.

It stopped when someone passing by intervened and scared them off. It made me want to cry. The horror of it all.

Oh my. (

[10sluvr]

On 7/3/2014 lacey1 said:

I am on another forum that has a majority of men members. Many of them are ex-military, and you can imagine what they ALWAYS recommend for personal protection.

I have done home health nursing and have had many in-services about personal protection. They said that carrying a concealed weapon was a waste of time. The bad guys have been at this game longer than you. They aren't going to walk up to you in a well-lit area, and ask for your valuables. They will quietly come up behind you, disable you with a knife or brick, and pick your pockets, (or worse) after they render your harmless.

So, What have I learned. Don't put yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. If you have to alter your schedule-do it. Don't look like an easy mark, the bad guys don't want a hassle. If there's a choice between little old lady and a biker-whom do you think they will target?

Some of the tips. Carry a fake set of keys and a fake wallet-If you sense that someone wants to rob you-throw the fakes as far as you can, run and scream.

Carry a small, loud alarm or use your car key fob,(if you're close enough to your car).

Don't be afraid to scream, "He's got my baby!" if someone looks like a threat to you. That get's more attention than just, 'Help'.

Don't carry a purse, put what you need in your pocket. Use your phone only in a secure area. Don't be flashing a lot of jewelry.

Always look under your car and in the back seat before you get in. Lock your doors after you start moving. If you're at a light and someone dangerous looking approaches your car, run the light as safely as you can to get to a safe spot.

If you break down on a lonely road, make sure you're phone is charged and call for help. Never accept help from a stranger. Yell thru the closed window that police are on the way.

Make sure your car is always in peak condition to avoid the breakdown scenario. You CAN drive on a flat tire if you fear for your safety-you may damage the wheel but your safety is more important.

Above all: Follow your instincts, if something doesn't feel right-get out. Use common sense, stay out of potentially bad situations. Be aware of exit strategies in all situations, even if you're in the grocery store or at your grandchildren's school play.

if you drive at night, wear a baseball cap and stuff your hair, under it. they won't bother you if they think it's a man.

[ahoymate]

On 7/3/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 7/3/2014 Skylands said:

On 7/3/2014 gazelle77 said:

On 7/2/2014 ennui1 said:

Does this park have a history of violence, or are you just being weird?

You could buy a treadmill and stay home.

I think hearing about things in other places... even locally, but not in this park, has made me fearful... which has lead to me not enjoying my freedoms as I should be able to. Yes, I have a treadmill and could stay home. I just think it is a travesty that we as women have to plan for an attack or always be on alert when just minding our own business.

Take charge:

1)take a women's defense class.

2)Call your local PD and ask about crime in the area you walk.

3) Find another place to walk that is more populated.

U R acting like a victim. This isn't empowering and will only subject U to harm. Take charge of your life!

That's an awful thing to say and not true. Someone would have to live in a cave not to realize women are attacked every day in this country and around the world. Trying to be careful and knowing the dangers is not acting like a victim.

U R missing the point. Body language is a clue to who's an easy victim. Fear is seen in your body language. FYI...........animals detect fear in humans.

I live in one of the largest cities in the US. Don't tell me about crime against women.