| When office workers in the downtown area of a | | | | Ms. G.'s internal alarms went off so, rather than |
| western city began experiencing a rash of parking | | | | risk a confrontation, she returned to the building |
| lot assaults, a group of them decided to take a | | | | and called for help. Moments later, the police |
| proactive approach to the situation, with positive | | | | arrived and apprehended the man, who turned |
| results. | | | | out to be a felon wanted in a series of assaults. |
| An office worker left her building at dusk. As she | | | | In both situations, quick thinking and prior |
| entered her car and was about to put the key | | | | preparation made what could have been a |
| into the ignition, a man sprang up from his hiding | | | | life-and-death difference. When questioned, the |
| place, rushed to her open car door and pushed | | | | women made similar statements. Exactly what do |
| her down on the front seat. Since she still held her | | | | these to examples have in common?o Both |
| key ring she was also holding a container of | | | | women had considered what they could do in a |
| pepper spray. | | | | potentially dangerous situation.o Both women |
| As the assailant attempted to move forward and | | | | assessed their circumstances and made effective |
| onto her, she simply raised her hand and unloaded | | | | choices, based on earlier preparation.o Both |
| the entire container of pepper spray in his face. | | | | women had armed themselves with non-lethal |
| When he screamed and backed up she kicked | | | | weapons prior to the time when they were |
| him squarely in the midsection, forcing him out of | | | | needed.o Both women carried their weapons in |
| the car. She sat up, slammed the door and drove | | | | such a way as to have them readily available, not |
| away. From the safety of her moving vehicle she | | | | buried in the depths of a handbag.o Both women |
| also called the police who later reported they | | | | had actually practiced what to do in a variety of |
| apprehended the perpetrator. He was easy to | | | | situations.o Both had practiced using the pepper |
| spot because he was still suffering from the | | | | spray in a controlled environment so they would |
| effects of pepper spray. | | | | know what would happen if and when they chose |
| Two weeks later, a similar incident occurred. | | | | to use it.o Both women seized the opening to |
| After working late at a law office in the same | | | | take action.o Both women left the area as soon |
| neighborhood, Ms. G. assembled her personal | | | | as possible.o As soon as they reached safety, |
| items, set the alarm, and left the building. As she | | | | each one called for help. |
| walked she held her key ready, which meant she | | | | Clearly, prior planning makes a difference. Even |
| also had access to the pepper spray attached to | | | | when the exact situation has not been practiced, |
| her key ring. When she neared the car she | | | | the very act of having thought about what might |
| spotted the figure of a man. He was wearing | | | | happen and one's possible responses to threat |
| dark clothing and lurking in the nearby bushes. | | | | greatly enhance the chances for avoiding harm. |