As one of the seemingly endless
and escalating scenarios of stalking, assault, abduction, rape and
possibly murder, a woman in the San Diego area was walking innocently
along a sidewalk when an older model black sedan began following her.
The driver asked for her phone number and repeatedly asked her to get
into the car. If this were to happen to you, what would you do? Here
are some positive actions:
First, this thought: Never, ever, ever get into a vehicle with anyone whom you don't know. Remember the Natalee Holloway incident. She got into a car with several young men she didn't know and never came
back. Underlying her tragic demise was the news report that she had
been indulging in alcohol, possibly drugs, and was "partying" - all
behaviors which drastically inhibit a person's discriminatory
faculties. Even though she was a Straight A student, these substances
so clouded her judgment that she made a fatal mistake. Please remember
that life doesn't always give second chances and that this is a
predatory world. Natalee Holloway never got a second chance because,
under the influence of intoxicants and a desire to party, her judgment
was egregiously flawed, which cost her her life and untold misery and
suffering to her family, friends and loved ones. Yet, she did have
choices. She could have chosen not to drink and party and not to get
into a car with young men she didn't know. She chose otherwise. She
lost . . . her life. This is why our motto at LadiesSelfDefense.Com is:
"Your Life; Your Responsibility." Don't neglect this simple and
powerful truth.
Keep your distance! The first security in defending yourself is to stay away or get away from potential danger.
Trust your instincts, eyes and
mind. An unknown car following you is a danger! A person whom you don't
know asking for your personal information is a potential danger.
Certainly anyone asking or demanding you get into their vehicle is
danger incarnate. Get away . . . as fast as you can! If a car pulls up
along side you, turn around and go the other way. Find a crowd of
people if possible. Make noise. Draw attention to yourself. Do
something but keep your distance.
If you feel you are being stalked,
begin moving away, call 911 immediately and leave your cell phone on so
authorities can locate you via its GPS (global positioning system)
feature.
If you have time and presence, get
the license number of the vehicle. Memorize it, write it down, take a
cell phone picture of it, scream it out loud, call your home and leave
it on your answering machine, call a friend and leave it with them.
As a general rule, wherever you go
be aware at all times of Who's Watching You. Never make the assumption
that an assault can never happen to you. Be aware and be prepared.
Kind regards,
Richard Andrew King: Grandmaster, Kiado-Ryu Karate