How safe are women alone?

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xylaria

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
I never have this problem.

Something must be wrong

Neither have I. Men that don't understand the word "no" are very rare indeed, i think. They certainly seem completely absent from any bushcraft event., regardless of how much beer they drink or fresh air they have. I certainly don't believe all men are rapists, in the same way don't believe all women are safe with children. I have had negative experiances and I don't believe i am gullable, but most men are normal, and keep their testosterone on a leash. Beer goggles can cause misunderstandings on either side, and to be truthful I am as capable of getting the wrong message when drunk as anyone.

Cobweb you could make up a hubby. Weddings are grim for "hello daring fancy a .......!!!.", New year is even worse.
 

Tengu

Full Member
Jan 10, 2006
12,781
1,517
51
Wiltshire
Was talking to a South African last night.

Sure puts things into perspective.

(My relatives who moved to RSA only lasted a year. The first thing they noticed was that it was too cold and wet.)
 

scrubcutter

Tenderfoot
Feb 23, 2008
69
0
Dorset
Ive recently been thinking of taking myself on a hiking/camping trip alone in scotland or wales for a few days. I don't want to go way out in the wilderness because im inexperienced, possibly just sticking to camping grounds. My worry is how safe exactly is it for women to do this on their own? Ive only grown up with local town hysteria that tells me where ever I go alone I'm likely to be found dead in a ditch the next day, picked up by some rapist or murderer. I have a feeling this isnt the true picture though, and that women are alot safer out in the country than they are in towns.

I haven't read all the replies so please forgive any repetition.

In my experience (I'm a bloke though), you shouldn't have any problems in the 'out-of-the-way' places. It is usually the green belt around towns and cities, as well as town parks, that have a higher proportion of weirdos. As a teenage lad I had the unwanted sexual attentions on three occasions (they weren't women) and it was a frightening experience (in my area young men are likely to be victims as much as women, although the perverts baulk at larger, older men and just do their 'thing' from a distance instead!!). However, where one has to take more than a bus journey to wherever you are going it's usually pretty safe.

In any case, a knowledge of self-defence (for both sexes to defend against attacks from BOTH sexes) is a good thing but don't go for rubbish like karate, etc. Fight dirty. There are parts of the body that are very sensitive to pain and others that can lead to death. Learn where these areas are and get the confidence to use them as you may need to get past the psychology of it all, in other words be mentally prepared. While unpleasant cos' you've got to grab them, a grab and twist of the pervert's testicles HARD will do the initial job (if not completely). A strong pinch of the radial nerve if he has a grip of you will make him release you immediately. These examples may not stop him coming on again but it will give you a bit of time (a split second is all that is needed in some cases) to incapacitate them by other means. Those are just simple (and tame) examples of what to do when things get 'real'.

Believe me when I say it doesn't take much to incapacitate a man even for a young lady of 4'11". As said, there is the mental barrier to get through - men are physically stronger but they are as physically weak when it comes to being attacked as well; they are not immune. Above all, get over any fear and show confidence in any such situation, and if not, then courage and confidence will come from the knowledge of how you can turn your attacker into an unconscious heap. By the way, last time I checked, self-defence was still legal in the UK so you'll be okay.

If you can carry something that can be used as a weapon (yes I know there are restrictive laws on tools such as knives) even better. A pen knife blade in the eye. A sharp rock to the temple. A spray can (hair, deodorant, etc.) to spray nasty stingy stuff in the eyes. A short thick stick (say, 4 inches) that can be stabbed/thumped onto the carotid artery or the thyroid cartilage (although that can kill, but needs must when the devil drives). Actually, short sticks are quite useful, but not long ones as they can grab hold of them. Oooohh, I could go on for hours!!!

If you're really worried about being followed which is the usual one (some just like to look!!!) then try and bump into another human being or better still a group of them and let them know about your worry. If there is no-one safe around then fall back on your mobile phone and a GPS (if you have one, and if you haven't, get one). At least then you can stop at a reasonably public area and phone the police giving your grid reference if you feel he/she is a very present threat.

Ideally, you'd be able to carry a low calibre sidearm but we're no longer allowed to protect ourselves anymore in this country. Even an air pistol would put someone off but again, we're flirting with law unfortunately, especially with the new laws brought in late last year (****** blinkered idiots). Anyway, that's all another story.

Strewth, this has gotten a bit long - sorry.

In short, get past the fear factor; get genned up on the self-defence that works, understand it, practice it (or rather go through the motions). Add a few things to your person that can be used as self-defence weapons and can be used to contact others that can help you. Then add all this knowledge to the back of the brain where you store things like how to start a fire, where to find pignuts, etc. You are genuinely more likely to fall off a mountain and die but you'll enjoy the wilderness the more for putting your mind at rest on such matters.

Hope that helped in some way.

Scrubbity.
 

scrubcutter

Tenderfoot
Feb 23, 2008
69
0
Dorset
Firecrest.

Oops!!

I just had a quick look and it seems that carrying items that can be used as offensive weapons is illegal. How this affects using items as defensive weapons is open to question but I wouldn't trust our system to favour the victim (i.e., you). Yes, I sound cynical but it's based on real life examples unfortunately and this law is amongst many that have been badly thought through leaving many 'grey' areas that can turn the innocent into a criminal. (Oh what has this country come to??!!!).

Actually, when it comes down to it, screw the laws of political correctness, protect yourself by whatever means you see fit to ensure your safety against someone who intends to injure or kill you. This is a personal opinion (but within the law of self-defence) and not one neseccarily shared by this website or anyone associated with it.

Scrubbity
 

silvergirl

Nomad
Jan 25, 2006
379
0
Angus,Scotland
Oh for goodness sake is it really that bad out there?

OK I've been followed more than once, threatened with firearms, when I was 12 I was pushed down an alley by an old man in a raincoat who then showed me seriously dodgy pictures (I had my dog with me, some use she was).

But that was all in the middle of a big CITY.

I have worked as a Ranger in urban fringe areas as well as wild areas (on my own) and have never felt I was in danger. Men are usually more likely to be targets for violence, women aren't seen as a threat and usually you do get more respect. Besides 98% of people who visit the 'countryside' don't walk mile than 1km from their car, so the further you walk the less chance you have of seeing anyone.

Never let fear of a vanishingly small chance of something going wrong put you off going anywhere. You are in more danger from tripping and hurting yourself than having any issues with other people.

By the way I hate campsites, I feel more comfortable in the woods, and being on your own is a great feeling.

Just go for it. Take a walking stick if you want. But you'll probably only use it for walking, or hanging things from.
 

AJB

Native
Oct 2, 2004
1,821
9
56
Lancashire
How safe are women alone?

Not very, but one to one you can usually hold your own – if they get together in packs they’re lethal!
 

303Brit

Tenderfoot
Jan 23, 2007
54
1
65
germany
Firecrest.

Oops!!



Actually, when it comes down to it, screw the laws of political correctness, protect yourself by whatever means you see fit to ensure your safety against someone who intends to injure or kill you.

Scrubbity
Totally agree.....anything i do in a self defence/protection situation i may have to answer for my actions later ,but on my part i would like to be represented in court by a lawyer and not by the coroner (or as the say in the US,"better judged by 12 ,than carried by 6"!)

Would like to know what is the differnce between a "defensive" weapon and "offensive" weapon.An interesting legal concept! Any weapon is just a tool,a means to an end,as you quite rightly said anything can be used as a weapon,what counts is the will to use it.A psycho with a pencil will reek more havoc than a pacifist with a machine gun.

Just an interesting observation on UK knife paranoia,i notice that if i take out a years subscription for my childs "Mickey Mouse" comic (you can imagine which age group this is aimed at) i can choose, amongst other various free gifts..... a camping sheath knife,engraved with childs name! described as "childsafe with a more rounded point,ideal for the first adventures in the forest"....differrent lands,differnt attitudes.

One should know the laws of self defence of the land where you live,or are moving through.It could be usefull later if you have to speak to the police,but in the moment of the attack they are irrelevant.....instinct will take over!
 
C

custardmonkeys

Guest
I have taught a few womens self defense classes and one of the most important things taught is walking and carrying yourself with confidence and looking people you meet and greet in the eye. After surveys were carried out in prisons it was found that most of the attackers were looking for easy victims. A young women out camping by her self (no matter what her size) is a strong women and is not an easy target.
 

garbo

Tenderfoot
Jul 16, 2006
63
0
68
uk
Dear Firecrest

some things to worry about when in the countryside
one , sprained ankles
two hypothermia
three,other peoples dogs
four. getting lost

there will be many many more before unwanted attention appears on this list
check the mountain rescue reports to see how many attack victims they attend

http://www.edalemrt.co.uk/cgi-bin/listIncidents.cgi/intro

I think that the fact you have considered the possibility of safety issues means that you are unlikley to encounter any, remember the 7 p's

ps if you visit Edale check out Robin Woods woodcarving he's excelent


Garry
 

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