"Police urge woman out at night to use common sense"

You never hear the police or news-organization announce to the effect that men shouldn't commit crimes like that, or that they should smarten up and behave better. Sure its assumed but wouldn't it be intersting to see the effect an advertising campaign which was long, hard-hitting, serious, and frequent would have? Say on the issue that its unacceptable to, for instance, stalk women?

And I am being serious. Perhaps at the very least it would bring home to some guys that their pal's behaviour crosses the line.

I've never understood why society accepts half it's population essentially behaving as if under seige and somehow responsible for their own protection and actions while rarely, publicly admonishing those responsible about their role in these issues.

Last night I got together with an older couple I know from Kingston who are in town for a conference. I told them to drop me off at the subway station (it would have been a long drive for them otherwise) and I would find my way home from there. The woman felt bad about doing that, didn't want to, because she didn't want me to walk home from the station at night - it was around 11. I told her that I live alone in the city, and I certainly don't stay inside at night because I'm afraid of walking alone.

I lock my door. But I let my son talk to strangers when he's with me because he knows he is safe with me, and he's too young to be walking out by himself anyhow, so what's the point of telling him when I'm standing right next to him not to talk to someone on the street? Baloney. He talks to strangers and charms them completely. The only time I curtail him is when I think the stranger doesn't want to be bothered, and in that case I'm just teaching him good manners.

I drive with the windows open and the doors unlocked, carjacking be damned. I carry my money and cards with me in a purse that I carry across my shoulder and neck. I used to walk with my keys laced through my fingers, but I don't bother anymore - I figure anyone who wants to attack me will be able to wrest those keys away from me in about two seconds flat.

I feel a lot safer being out on my own at night downtown than I ever did when I lived in the 'burbs. Here, there's always traffic, there's always street life, people's homes are close to the street...someone will hear if you call for help. In the suburbs, it's like a ghost town after nightfall.

I think that it is also unreasonable to say that Police enforcement levels are responsible for violent environments in general or environments that are violent to women. Moreover, if they are aware of possible dangers, they have an obligation to make the public aware. Doesn't anyone remember the trouble the police got into for not warning the public about the Scarborough rapist?

Now, hang on, this doesn't justify their attitude and language in the above article, and they were issuing these kinds of warnings for decades before JD, but it's now going to be impossible to get them to change. Any comment that their warnings are coming across as patronizing, and they'll respond that they have to, Jane Doe etc. etc. I'm sure every force in the country now has some official policy on making public warning every time someone is attacked.

What common sense prevents you for becoming the victim of a completely unprovoked attack?

It just seems very condescending.

quote:

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Don't make eye contact? Baloney. Walk with your head up straight, swing your arms confidently, and look into the face of every person you pass, especially men. It lets people know that you got a good look at their face. You don't have to make it a challenge - I often give a half-nod as I pass, as if I'm just being polite. Don't walk like a victim? Absolutely. That's why you make eye contact. People who are scared avoid eye contact.

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EXACTLY! The "use common sense" line is utter fallacy- rapists don't care where you are, what you are doing, what time it is, what you are wearing, NOTHING except vulnerability.