The Wrath of Dawn
Rant
I may be a bit preoccupied lately, but I did manage to become aware of this, because, of course everyone in town is talking about it. It just makes me sick. In 2006, in a "civilization" such as ours, a woman can't quietly go about her business without being kidnapped in broad daylight? It was 6:30 p.m.! At a busy gas station? And someone who's mentally ill enough to act like that isn't in care somewhere? What the hell? This level of violence isn't common around here, thank heaven, but being a female alone still places you at some risk and it damned well shouldn't.
Only a few weeks ago, a co-worker's friend was grabbed from behind while on one of the walking trails. That happened around 6:30 p.m. as well. Only for the fact that she had a big, honking water bottle and she started wailing on him with it, then a jogger came along, did she not become the victim of a sexual assault. After that incident, everyone said, "Don't walk alone!" But scheduling a buddy to go for a walk isn't always an option for all of us. Now it seems we shouldn't drive alone, either. So that leaves me the option of what, exactly? Being a prisoner in my own home?
I don't think so. Damn. I'm so angry I could spit.
/end rant... for now...
Only a few weeks ago, a co-worker's friend was grabbed from behind while on one of the walking trails. That happened around 6:30 p.m. as well. Only for the fact that she had a big, honking water bottle and she started wailing on him with it, then a jogger came along, did she not become the victim of a sexual assault. After that incident, everyone said, "Don't walk alone!" But scheduling a buddy to go for a walk isn't always an option for all of us. Now it seems we shouldn't drive alone, either. So that leaves me the option of what, exactly? Being a prisoner in my own home?
I don't think so. Damn. I'm so angry I could spit.
/end rant... for now...
Posted by WrathofDawn at 1:06 a.m.
11 Comments:
That is truly sickening.
Blahghch.
Sorry, that's the only comment I have.
That's my most printable comment as well. God help the unfortunate who ever tries to attack me. I'll bite his kneecaps off.
Seriously, he'd better have a weapon because I'd have no qualms about doing very nasty things to various sensitive body parts.
As I said in a post long, long ago, I have a big long fuse of patience, but there is a very big bomb at the end of it.
good grief - are we safe anywhere ?
dawn dear, when you go out always take your chain saw with you.
fine words of advice there, possum.
Mr. Fab - Isn't it?
Zoe - No. No, we're not. The chainsaw AND sharp pointy things borrowed from Misty.
Yeesh! Not good.
Carry a rape alarm, woman.
What an asshole.
However, you can't let things like this dictate how you live your life. Sensible precautions must be taken -- i.e. don't walk alone at night naked on the bad side of town. (Although, honestly, if you did that 99% of the time you wouldn't have something bad happen to you, you'd get someone trying to help you, at least in most of Canada.) Maybe a little knowledge of self-defense is in order.
But has been proven that these kinds of people desire the power that they have over their victim(s) more than the act itself. And living in fear is a way of giving them power.
Unfortunately the world is full of sickos.
Told you to carry MACE (oh, no that was Misty!). Shit, seems like it is getting worse and worse.
Sh*t.
Seems nowhere is safe anymore.
A few words of advice:
Pointy objects are good, but only if you know how to use them. if you don't, they can be turned against you. Sturdy walking sticks are legal, and useful.
If you haven't already done so, go do a self-defence course, or read a book such as this one.
Always walk with an attitude of 'You are looking for someone to beat up'. Phychos go for a victim, and a victim is quiet, meek and looks defenceless.
*goes to rant and beat up punch bag*
Katherine, honey, I've been on my own most of the time for the last 32 years. I in no way live my life in fear. I DO exercise sensible precautions and so far have not managed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Misty - I was hoping the pointy things would come with instructions. Such as "This end out." I perfected my "Bitch walk" years ago because I grew up - or started out in, at least - a fairly tough working class neighbourhood where you learned at a young age to look tougher than you felt to avoid getting the stuffing beaten out of you.
I'm usually a very soft-spoken, gentle person who wouldn't hurt a fly. But if another human deliberately tries to hurt me or mine? They'd better be able to run very, very fast. Ask my kids about the time Mommy went postal.
My comment wasn't directed only at you... I'm aware that you can take care of yourself. :) It's just that so bloody many people go off the deep end with paranoia when something bad happens in their neighbourhood.
And about the "bitch walk", that's so true. You know, it also works as a "begging homeless person" and "annoying guy who's practicing his come-ons" deterrent. Heh.
Just came across this and had to comment: you can ask MY kids about the time I kicked the side door of a car in that ran the crosswalk as we were walking across (and I was holding their hands luckily). Nearly lost my balance - I wouldn't suggest that one. But I left a nice dent. And I also confronted a guy who came up and felt my ass from behind and then passed me; not rational, I yelled "what do you think you're doing" or some similar inanity and then, since his half-smile infuriated me, I kicked him hard in the nuts. I am NOT versed in judo! And I knew afterwards it was really stupid, but he went his way and I mine, completely disgusted by the soft contact at the end of my toes. But I hope that will have taught him something. On the other hand, had he been pissed and attacked me, it would have been trivial to throw me over with that upraised leg. So, dumb. I also hope I've overcome any aversion to sticking my thumbs in someone's eyeballs by now, if I have the opportunity and the need. The problem is, we are indeed fairly non-violent; I nearly threw up after the encounter described before, and fear I would be inhibited when push came to shove. Meanwhile, the "bitch walk" is useful, and I will try to train my daughter in it as soon as feasible (it's not too convincing at age 6).
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