Feeling unsafe b/c of what's in the news

[lilsweetie]

With all the crimes that are going on I feel so UNSAFE and at risk and just really scared to be alone or walk anywhere by myself. For example, i heard that a few women have been dragged off busy streets in the middle of the day and nobody helped them. Also, in a park, a woman was raped and left there in the bushes.

WHAT is HAPPENING!!!? This is freaking me out. I'm getting really panicky? does this happen to anyone else? am i overreacting?? I hope so.
:sad I wish i could just feel safe again.

[Anonymous_Member003]

:gimmehug :gimmehug

Hey you're not overreacting... That sounds really scary...

Sometimes I carry pepper mace with me, in my pocket. It makes me feel better. Also I try to call the cops whenever I see an accident or anything sketchy. And I like to go walking with friends when I can.

It's a really shitty world out there and sometimes people get hurt and nobody helps... :cry

Also there is some element of this that the mass media is creating... they need news and are willing to sensationalize these crimes and freak people out... I bet if you look at numbers and percentages it might not be as bad as TV and newspapers make it out...

Please, be safe and careful and be gentle:gimmehug

[dreya]

The good thing is that things like that are unusual enough to be "newsworthy" - you see it on t.v. because it doesn't happen to everybody - it's rare. All you can do is use lots of caution and common sense. Maybe you would feel better if you took a self-defense class, or carry a whistle or cell phone in case you run into an emergency.

[Anonymous_Member005]

I know I"ve been scared lately b/c they have put out warnings for women in the area where I live b/c there have been several attacks at night it scares me to walk alone at night...

:love amanda :stars

[Boeing]

:hugon lilsweetie & starchaser :hugoff
Rockstargirl is right; the media has a hand in the evident proliferation of violent crime. Example: over the past few decades, murders in the U.S.A. have actually gone down, but media reports of murder have vastly increased.
However, this fact does not diminish the need for precaution. I like to carry a collapsible night stick, and if I'm *really* nervous I carry a double-edged dagger. (You will have to check your local laws regarding weapons.) Of course, pepper spray is the quintessential women's weapon, but you have to worry about spraying with the wind, etc. Too much of a bother, IMHO!
Finally, take the standard safety steps (in addition to rockstargirl and dreya's suggestions):
:bullet Know the "bad" neighborhoods and avoid them.
:bullet Always walk with a friend, especially at night.
:bullet When driving alone, keep all doors locked. Only roll down your own window -- and never low enough for someone to reach in and grab the lock.
:bullet If you are attacked, remember that *any* resistance (that includes screaming) extraordinarily reduces the likelihood that the assailant will carry out a rape.
I hope all this helps! :clover :love :angel