Constant Fear Of Going Outside Alone.

[Sideways]

Hearing the frustration, hey!?

And you're right - even if you got started on every single one of these suggestions straight away, the problem won't fix itself overnight. But it sounds like the problem isn't going to go away in a hurry, so the goal is to make your life safer over time.

Therapy can definitely help, give it a try. As to the other suggestions, no one is suggesting you get beefed up like The Hulk and start busting moves in the street like Bruce Lee.

But we know (fact) that people who do martial arts, boxing, weight-lifting, rugby, hell even soccer, they carry themselves differently when they walk and it's noticed by others on a sub-conscious level. I've done years of boxing, & I know that when I'm cornered, it's not much help. But I get cornered less often, because something about the way I walk makes me look like less of a moving target. Not a solution on its own, but it helps.

And no, cops aren't going to come to your school and give you tips on how to pull the best fisty-cuffs moves. They might suggest some, but my experience was the opposite: you're a woman, physically you aren't going to win, so what else can you do to extract yourself safely when you're threatened...

You're up against what sounds like a fairly endemic problem, and there is no silver bullet. But combining some of these strategies might just make it easier and safer for you over time...what have you got to lose just by giving some of them a try?

Hope you stay safe in the meantime:)

 

[KwanYingirl]

I'm going to get a taser. Maybe that would be something you could have on you.

 

[Im_Tim]

I'm going to get a taser. Maybe that would be something you could have on you.

i'm pretty sure you need to be 18 for that + you also need a warrant (idk the word but you need to pass some test's and others it's complicated)

 

[Im_Tim]

Hearing the frustration, hey!?

And you're right - even if you got started on every single one of...

In France you can't join sport clubs mid year. I'll do my best to stay safe and get fit tho. What therapy could help ? Thanks

 

[Im_Tim]

I'm going to get a taser. Maybe that would be something you could have on you.

Tasers are hard to get in France as you need a licence and to be 18+

 

[Sideways]

Awesome re starting with just getting fit:)

Re therapy? I think you'd probably get something out of good ol' fashioned counselling with a psychologist. Having a safe space where you can talk about what happened, and have someone guide you through the thoughts and feelings associated with it, and start to use those thoughts and feelings in a way that helps you, rather than holds you back.

As for carrying weapons of any kind - different strokes for different folks. I certainly understand why people carry weapons, tasers, knives, etc.

Personally, I don't for 2 reasons: (1) by the time I'm in a position to need to use it, I know me, & I know I wouldn't be able to use it safely & effectively (just me!); &

(2) perhaps more importantly if you're dealing with situations where you think you'll maybe be outnumbered, you may very quickly find that weapon getting taken off you, and used against you, unless you have enough training to handle those types of situations. Eg I used to keep a baseball bat by my front door, till I realised that I'm never gonna have the guts to swing it nice & hard at someone (been in that situation - I didn't fight, I freaked), so really all I was doing was offering potential intruders another weapon to use against me. But like I said, different strokes for different folks...& obeying your local laws ain't such a bad idea!

Keep staying open to advice & strategies you pick up along the way. Add the advice that works to your arsenal, and discard anything that's not gonna work for you. Stay safe:)

 

[Im_Tim]

I could bring a knife but if i got caught with it at school i'd be in serious trouble. Also if i had to use a knife in that situation i'd end up being convicted with murder. I can't think rationally when in panic so i'd end up stabbing in the torso multiple times. So knife isn't a good option. idk any diy that would be safe to use. I already went with a psychologist back when i had suicidal thoughts. All that happens if that they just tell you what to do when stuff happens and try to explain to you why some people are mean. why certain things happen. Idk how that could help. pepper spray would be nice but idk where to get some except on the internet wich would end up having to go through my parents. idk if they'd accept. Do you know any good self defense weapons except tasers ?

 

[LuckyDuck]

Knife is a bad idea. One, how well do you know how to use it? My guess is you have less experience than them and these guys probably disarm for fun amidst their friends.

Any way to set up larger groups from your school on your treks back home? Like five at a time? Networking around high conflict areas?

Ever thought of bringing an air horn? Those babies are great for attention. How are the laws for carrying an art project of something that looks like a taser?

Not only is it these guys are picking teenagers out but they're looking for a type of teenager. Posture is a dead giveaway that has them signal out their targets. You might want to work on the posture in the mirror. If you have your head high and your shoulders out broad it displays confidence. These guys are out for easy marks. Make yourself out to look like a difficult target. It takes practice.

LD

 

[Im_Tim]

Knife is a bad idea. One, how well do you know how to use it? My guess is you have less experience tha...

if i could come back home in a group i wouldn't bother posting this. Can't get a taser because i'm not 18+. An airhorn . mmm. i don't think getting attention would help but would it scare them off ?? People are really selfish nowadays and prob wouldn't bother to come help. People saw me the first time it happend but no one did a thing to help. The problem is that i only got one pair of shoes and they're jordans. They look used so i guess it's not that bad. Confidence is extremly hard to display in those moments. Whenever i see someone in a tracksuit and who looks like he's from the hood i start to panick (i'm being serious).

 

[KwanYingirl]

Check out oncamera.co it puts a big red button on your cell phone and you push it when you need an officer. You point the phone at the assailant and an officer speaks to them that they are being filmed and that they should move away in a very authoritative way.

 

[LuckyDuck]

I know you're being serious. The staff at your school as you've said have a few accounts. I'm surprised of their inactivity due to them not having taken the group exit strategy. It could seriously damage their reputation and deter future enrollment.

The confidence posture is supposed to be shown before you exit the school. It's won't be easy to show. Fronts never are. People judge a person in the first second of seeing them. Posture can tell a lot about a person. Looking down at the feet while walking is a signal for an easy ambush. Keeping your head high and pointed in the direction you're going shows you have a places to be and you won't take crap from anyone. The posture can be practiced by putting your back onto the wall and getting yourself used to it. Mirrors help as well. Your suspicion of the Jordans is right as they are a dead giveaway; they don't come cheap.

After having gone through a mugging people as themselves "What did I do wrong?". The answer is you did nothing wrong. No one deserves to get mugged. It's a horrible experience. Now it's up to you if you want to take charge again.

LD

 

[Im_Tim]

Check out oncamera.co it puts a big red button on your cell phone and you push it when you need an...

I don't think that'd work. All they'd have to do is grab my phone, turn it off to avoid being tracked and start to run.