In recent weeks there have been a number of girls and women attacked or murdered around Australia. One has to wonder what exactly posesses a person for them to do such a thing. Uncontrollable rage and the individual was in the wrong place at the wrong time? Obsession with the individual and subsequent rage when they turned down their advances? Mental instability which caused them to randomly lash out? Who knows for sure.
What I do know is that I have become increasingly paranoid about being outside alone- even though it should not be this way. I have been approached and I suppose you could say I was assaulted on a train a couple of years back (if being sprayed by a random with cologne/perfume is considered assault). One of the most recent incidents that occurred to me was in broad daylight near a train station in Melbourne's inner west. I was walking home, carrying a free newspaper (I will admit, I was reading an article as I walked); a man in a sedan (dark navy coloured if I recall correctly) called out to me and asked where a particular road was. I was not 100% sure exactly, but I knew it was at least 3 or 4km away and told him so without leaving the footpath or approaching the vehicle. I didn't conciously decide to stand back, it was all instinct. He then began asking me if I had leg tattoos.... I was wearing tights with embroidered filigree type pattern above the knees... he then asked what I had planned for the afternoon and if I wanted "a ride home". I was shocked not only that he asked, but at the fact he thought it was a legitimate question and that there would be a chance I would agree! I made it clear that someone knew where I was and was expecting me and promptly walked off.
Now I am not saying that this guy was definitely a rapist or would-be murderer, nor am I saying that what I did would have definitely deterred such a person (instead of driving off, if he wanted to do anything he could easily have chased me or followed in his car). What I am saying is to make sure you take precautions when you are out and don't make stupid decisions:
• Never willingly agree to or enter situations outside your control;
• Always keep your phone charged and handy when you are out alone;
• Know your surroundings- safe places, homes that you can seek help from, stores if there are any around, payphones, shortcuts etc;
• Stay in well populated areas when possible;
• Stand well back from a vehicle if asked for directions or tell them you aren't sure;
• Think about items you are carrying and how you could use them as a weapon to defend yourself- eg: metal hairpin, plastic waterbottle (stabbing motion to throat or face and eyes), books, myki (slicing), umbrella, keys, deodorant or hairspray, anything can be a defensive weapon.
Remember to walk with confidence as it is unlikely that you would actually be attacked- but it is better to be prepared. Another point to remember- if someone does try to attack you, your best chance is to get away by any means necessary, throw your purse or handbag away from you- if they want to rob you their focus will be the purse and you will have a chance to run away, if not it may distract them long enough for you to run. Do not try to plead or reason with them. Pleading and reasoning will in most cases enrage them even more, never mention their mother or sister or any female relative- it may sound logical to you to reason with them by saying "imagine/how would you like it if someone did this to your mother/sister"- you do not know their relationships and this could cause them to treat you even worse or commit even worse crimes against you.
If your assailant is a family member or partner, your best option is to leave the situation. Youths can contact Kids Helpline, ReachOut.org or the police in their state. Adults can contact Lifeline, beyondblue or police.
I will close by saying that my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of violent crimes, their families and friends.
Be safe everyone.
