I'm gonna share something with you about stranger danger and abuse by people you know - etc....

Feels like a PSA - but I got the feeling from last night's conversation in another thread that some of you don't know this stuff.

I think parents need to be mindful that they teach all their children some caution.
Also that assaulting other people is not okay. (Except in self defense or defense of others).

I can honestly say there is no preventing all horrible situations. I have personal experience.

Also for some of these further down be aware I'm 5 ft 8 inches tall and was about 155lbs in college. So not a tiny female who might look like easy prey.

5th grade - an old guy offered me a candy bar to get into his car on the way to school. I laughed - and said "No thank you" and kept walking. (Training all students received on not getting in a car with strangers). Did I tell anyone? No. They didn't tell us to do that! (I bet they do now).

I was almost dragged into a car at the age of 13 by two very chemically altered 20 somethings. Hometown - broad daylight - on a street I'd walked 1000s of times. Screamed my lungs out - my Dad hollered from up the road - guys took off. (He happened to be gardening in the front yard). Also no one had heard of mace yet. (That would have been 1977).

College broad daylight on bridge to Campus and a couple guys in the back of a pickup truck - tried to pull me off the sidewalk over a railing. Again other people around. (1983). The crowd prevented that.

(1984) I was out with girlfriends - at a restaurant/bar with my friend's Elvis impersonator brother. Agreed to dance with a guy and he tried to drag me off the dance floor by my forearms to his car (He told me what he intended - I so wish the police had been called - but we were being told "That's normal drunk behavior". WTF?) - I pulled a self defense move that made everyone come running.
Also watching Elvis rushing to defend you is a once in a lifetime experience, (One hopes).

Actually assaulted and thrown into a wall? My own relative. I pulled mace - we called the police and pressed charges. (Hard thing to do). Got him some help and no further issues. I blocked him from harming his own little brother - I'd do it again. Even if I knew advanced self defense I think I would have still been thrown - I was shocked. (I was outweighed considerably and had no room to maneuver either).
Recovered pretty darn fast though.

If a family or friend situation is escalating? Make everyone take a breather! (If possible).

Stranger danger exists. It exists for everyone. If you are going to be out alone at night at least carry mace.

Remember that you are most likely to be harmed by those close to you. It shocked me beyond belief.
And I'd worked at a Battered Women's Shelter! I knew those stats. Still just didn't comprehend it.

Also childhood sexual abuse? It will be someone the parents know and trust. Almost exclusively.

They now have gel mace. Also mace with added dye so the PD can trace it when the person shows up for treatment. (Amazon and elsewhere).

Don't put it in a purse - put it in your pocket and carry it in your hand when walking.

I took yet another self defense class and got licensed for Mace when I had two restraining orders against former clients who'd threatened my life at that point. (Other counselors and a Psychologist also prosecuted).

If anyone threatens your safety? Report it to the police. There are no second chances for that behavior, Remember when I was young we didn't know that was the appropriate response (obviously).

I've always equally worried about a Man being alone at night as a Women alone at night.
I know - my parents were advanced for their time.

I once saw my brother keep two big musclebound meat heads from beating the crap out of each other when drunk. He's 5ft 7in and about 150lbs, I had the shakes afterwards.

There's being smart and there is being perpetually afraid. Choose the former.