Life as a college woman can get dangerous sometimes. Between always having to vigilant at parties and clubs and walking on campus after a late class, we are putting ourselves in potentially harmful situations of a regular basis. To protect themselves, many women take self-defense classes, like the one offered by UCFPD. However, even if you haven’t taken a class, you are less vulnerable than you think. Much of the stuff you find in your purse can be used as a weapon when the need arises, such as…
Keys
Most women have heard of using their keys as a weapon. You know, putting the keys between your fingers while making a fist, almost like DIY brass knuckles. But that could potentially hurt you more than your attacker by breaking your fingers. Instead, as you are walking to your car or front door, hold your keys as if you are about to unlock something. Then, if you are attacked, jab it in your attacker’s eye. Yes, you could end up with an eyeball no your key, but better than being abducted.
Phone Charger
Have you ever been whipped with a phone charger? I have, and it hurts. You can use this after you have pushed the attacker off and have a second to reach into your purse. Once you have it out, you can start whipping the attacker with it. Alternatively, you can use it to strangle them (this works best if you have a heavy-duty rope charger). Maybe not to death, but enough to make them pass out and give you time to call the police.
Spare Change
If you happen to use cash a lot, you probably have a ton of change sitting in the bottom of your purse. Well, now it has a use. If you’re attacked and panicked, just reach into your purse, grab the change, and throw it pocket sand style into the attacker’s face. This should give you enough time to run away or at least come up with a better attack. Yes, you will lose about a buck fifty in the process, but I think that is pretty cheap for safety.
Pens
If you think about it, pens are just knives with ink. Once you have a moment to reach into your purse, grab a pen and just start stabbing. Hopefully, this will deter the attacker enough to give you time to run away. The best places to aim are the eyes, neck, and groin (of course).
The Purse Itself
A purse or bag can make a great weapon. Just grab it by the strap and start swinging in around like a medeival flail. The heavier your purse is, the better this works. This should force the attacker away from you and, if you are good with multitasking, give you time to call the police while still swinging your purse around.
*BONUS* Heels
If you happen to be walking home from a bar and decided to leave your purse at home, your heels make the perfect weapon. Since they are probably already in your hands, just start hitting the attacker with the heel. Aim for the face, neck, and groin (especially the groin). Once the attacker is disabled, run to safety and call the police.
The goal of these strategies if to give you time to run away, find a safe place, and call for help. At the very least, it will make a big scene and attract attention, which will definitely deter your attacker. Campus can be a scary place, especially at night, and you never know when someone if lurking in the shadows. To be safe, I encourage you to remember these strategies as well as utilize programs like SEPS to get to your car and take the UCFPD self-defense classes. Your safety and well-being is the most important thing.