Don’t be a victim

By Pat Hambrick

Thursday, October 26, 2006 6:54 PM CDT

The Daily Citizen

Would-be attackers take heed: at least 18 women from the Searcy area will not be attacked without a fight.

After attending a self-defense workshop presented by Detectives Alza Cheek and Ann Owens of the Searcy Police Department’s Crimes Against Women Unit and White County Domestic Violence Prevention on Tuesday night, the women are prepared to defend themselves.

The detectives talked to the women about proactive measures to protect themselves while shopping, traveling, or at home, as well as demonstrated self-defense methods and suggested improvised weapons to use if they are attacked.

Owens warned the women to be alert when shopping at Wal-Mart, because four sexual offenders live nearby. She said information on the location of sexual predators can be found at www.familywatchdog.com or www.acic.org, though it is often not current due to the volume of data that must be entered daily. There are 133 sexual offenders currently living in White County and 14 of those live within the Searcy city limits, she said.

“It is important that you not consider yourself a victim. Have the mindset ‘I am not going to be a victim. I am not going down without a fight,’” Owens said.

The detectives stressed that a self-confident attitude — walking with your head up, alert and aware of the people around you — can be enough to deter a would-be attacker, who is usually looking for a less-confident target.

The detectives said the same awareness applies to people you encounter inside a store: pay attention to what people are wearing and be able to give a description, especially if the person makes you feel uncomfortable. If you do feel uncomfortable or someone seems to be following you outside the store, go to security and ask to be escorted to your car.

Before you exit the store, have your car keys in the palm of your hand with the key protruding between your fingers. The key can be used as a weapon, and the grasp on the key is secure so there is no fumbling when you go to unlock your car. Especially if it is dark, look under your vehicle to make sure no one is hiding there. If the car has been left unlocked, look in your back seat. Keep packages stored in the trunk or covered with a blanket in the back seat, the detectives advised.

If someone approaches you that you do not know, keep something between you and that person — the shopping cart, your car door, or package. Those things can also be used as a weapon. Owens reminded the women how much pain can be caused by an accidental bump on the leg from a shopping cart and suggested they thrust the cart into a would-be attacker. If asked for their purse, they should throw the purse past the attacker and run in the opposite direction, screaming for help.

Other improvised weapons the detectives suggested, in addition to the key above, include perfume, ink pen or pencil, high heel shoe, a drink in your hand, or pepper spray. Owens said caution should be used with pepper spray, especially if the wind is blowing, and anyone using the spray should always turn her head.

“Act crazy. Scream. Faint. Vomit. The attacker is not expecting that,” Owens said. “Spit, bite, scratch, hit — leave a mark that will allow police to identify the attacker.”

Other advice included: ask for help from the first person you see, call police, and try to remember a description of the suspect. If a sexual assault has occurred, do not shower or bathe, go straight to the hospital and do not change your clothes.

Women traveling alone by car should let someone know the route they will be taking and pay attention to road markers so they know where they are if they need to call for help. If your car breaks down, call police and report your location. Don’t let anyone in your car, Cheek advised.

Owens said a kit can be purchased at Wal-Mart, which includes a “call for help” sign that can be placed in the car window. Even if you do not have an activated cell phone, any cell phone that is charged will allow you to call 911. If you don’t have a cell phone, donated cell phones are available from the detectives or from WCDVP free of charge, Cheek said.

When at home, keep your doors and windows locked and do not let strangers into your home, they advised.

Cheek and Owens demonstrated some simple self-defense moves. Owens said a kick to the common peroneal nerve, on the side of the knee, is very painful, as is a kick to the kneecap or the back of the knee. The elbow is the hardest and strongest part of the body and can be a weapon. She reminded the women to SING, as demonstrated by Sandra Bullock in the movie “Miss Congeniality:” hit the attacker’s solar plexus, instep, nose and groin.

The detectives spoke about domestic violence and said bruising is one thing they look for, because the color of a bruise indicates the age of the bruise. It helps them to discern if a report of domestic violence took place within the time frame reported, among other things.

The women were shown photos of a local woman who was badly beaten and kicked, but managed to survive, and pointed out the way the color of her bruises changed over time. Issues surrounding domestic violence were also discussed.

The self-defense workshop was one of a number of programs presented in White County during October by WCDVP as part of Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention month activities.

“Part of the mission of WCDVP is to educate the public about domestic violence. So many myths and stereotypes surround domestic violence, and those stereotypes interfere with the victim getting help,” said Kaye Candlish, Executive Director of WCDVP.