In 1994, Legislation was passed which paved the way for the Violence Against Women Act. This Legislation provided $1.6 billion to enhance investigation and prosecution of the violent crimes perpetrated against women. However, the heinous crimes against women continue to increase each year. Preliminary results for the first half of 2006 revealed that there was a 3.7 percent increase in all violent crimes compared to the first half of 2005.

Here are some appalling statistics in the U.S. Every three minutes a woman is attacked in the United States. Women are 10 times more likely than men to be victimized by an intimate partner. Conservative estimates indicate that two to four million women of all races and classes are battered each year. An estimated 572,000 assaults were by intimate partners. Every day four women die in this country as a result of domestic violence, which approximates 1,400 women a year according to the FBI. Every year approximately 132,000 women report that they have been victims of rape or attempted rape, and more than half of them knew their attackers. It's estimated that two to six times that many women are raped, but do not report it. Every year approximately 1.2 million women report being forcibly raped by their current or former male partner. Approximately 17 percent of pregnant women report being battered. The results of the battering include miscarriages, stillbirths and a two to four times greater likelihood of the baby having a low birth weight.

These outrageous acts of violence have got to stop. One answer is to empower women with prevention. Criminals prey on women because they are easy targets. Criminals look for weaknesses in women and take advantage of the situation. Don't make yourself an easy target. There are a number of self-defense practices and non-lethal, self-defense products available that can be used to help deter or fight off an assailant. Most of the tips are common sense and the products are easy to use.

Biologically women have less strength than most men. Empowering women with the knowledge of safety practices and non-lethal, self-defense products can lessen the chance of them being a target of a crime and becoming a victim.

We are told to avoid walking or jogging alone. Use the buddy system. Don't walk to your car by yourself when it is dark outside. Be attentive to our surroundings. The list goes on and on.

Carrying a non-lethal, self-defense product such as pepper spray, a stun gun, or a personal alarm is very effective in deterring an assailant and preventing the unthinkable. These types of products can be purchased at a web site.

The popularity of pepper sprays has grown tremendously over the past couple of years due to the increase in violent crimes. It is estimated that more than 15,000,000 Americans carry a personal defense spray.

Pepper spray is very effective on an assailant. When sprayed into the eyes and face, the skin, eyes and mucous membranes of the throat become irritated. The assailant may experience coughing and choking and there may be a small increase in blood pressure, heart rate and ventilation. It is very uncomfortable and there is pain associated with it. Temporary incapacitation is the final result, mostly due to not being able to see. Assailants are preoccupied with the blinding and painful experience to even attempt to do anything violent to you. When properly contaminated with pepper spray, an attacker will not be able to open their eyes for at least 10 minutes to an hour, allowing you plenty of time to escape safely.

You should always take caution when using pepper spray. It may not be as effective on attackers with some form of psychosis, if they are using drugs, or if they are intoxicated.

Stun guns are also very effective in immobilizing an assailant. A stun gun is an electrical self-defense device that uses high voltage to stop an attacker by keying into the nervous system. Touching a person with the prongs on the stun gun quickly immobilizes the attacker. It dumps its energy into the muscles at a high pulse frequency that makes the muscles work very rapidly, but not efficiently. This rapid work cycle depletes blood sugar by converting it to lactic acid all in just seconds. The resulting energy loss makes it difficult to move and function. At the same time, the tiny neurological impulses that travel throughout the body to direct muscle movement are interrupted. This causes disorientation and loss of balance and leaves the attacker in a passive and confused condition for several minutes. Because the amperage is very low there is no significant effect on the heart and other organs and no serious or permanent injury is inflicted.

Although the 1994 Violence Against Women Act has indeed enhanced investigation and prosecution of assailants committing crimes against women, statistics reveal a continued increase in violent crime each year. The empowerment of women is essential in combating these heinous crimes. Lets help protect all women by sharing information and knowledge of safety practices. Implement these safety practices and carry a non-lethal, self-defense product such as pepper spray or a personal alarm. If we work together we can help prevent the unthinkable.

Susan Eaton