I was also the victim of a violent attack in the middle of the night. I am one of the lucky ones who survived. Many do not. Here are some things I've learned since then that might keep you safe in the future.
1) Cell Phone. Sleep with a cell phone by your bed. Always. Attackers typically cut phone lines. If you have a cell phone, then you have a way to communicate in an emergency.
2) Security System. Have a security system installed in your home. And USE IT. It sounds so simple and many people do have them, but many people still don't. Husbands, if you travel frequently, please do this for your wives. Fathers, if you have a young single daughter who is living alone or with roommates, offer to help do this for her. Securing a home should be as much a priority as requiring someone to wear a seatbelt in the car. You hope you'll never need it, but you use it all the time anyway.
3) Self Defense. Take self defense classes. While this does not prevent an attack, it will give you more confidence to challenge your attacker.
4) Be Aware. Look at your surroundings as if you were a criminal. Where are the weak points of entry? Where could one easily hide and escape? What can you do to strengthen those areas? Sometimes adding more outside lighting can be a deterrent.
5) Own a Dog. Or a DOG. It doesn't have to be a pit bulldog, but little Fifi's not going to help much. Often having a dog in the house or in the yard will be enough of a warning signal to alert you that something is up. This can prevent you from being completely caught off guard, which is to your advantage.
Not everyone will face this type of situation, but for those who do, it is a forever life-altering experience. We need to do more to educate people to be prepared to face and overcome this type of violence. Thanks for listening and caring enough about your loved ones to share this information.
