310 Chapter 14: Abuse, violence, and self-defense
Make noise, scream, or yell “NO!”
Shout as loud as you can: “HELP!”
NO!
Throw chili powder, pepper, or dirt into his
eyes. It will blind him for a while and be very
painful. You may be able to get away.
If you lose your balance easily, it is best
to sit down before you start defending
yourself or fighting back.
When your attacker bends down, hit
him in the nose or eyes. You can also
use your head to hit his nose.
Sitting or kneeling down is a safer defense
position for women who use crutches, whose
legs are weak, or who are unsteady on their
feet. Once you are sitting down, poke him with
your crutch or cane.
If you use a stick or cane, you may be disoriented if it is knocked away. If you
think you are about to be attacked, turn your stick so the short, thick end points
toward the man. Poke him with the stick as hard as you can. Do not swing your
stick like a baseball or cricket bat. That makes it easier to grab or to knock away.
It is better to poke
someone with the short
end of your stick than
to swing the long end.
If you use crutches,
use them as a
weapon to hit him.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007