Imagine Christmastime, a crowded shopping center parking lot in the middle of the day. Images of bustling shoppers, bulging shopping bags, and the ringing of Salvation Army bells probably come to mind.
That was the scene on December 20, 1997 when I was the victim of a violent attack.
When we think of random acts of violence against women, we usually think of a shady character under the cover of darkness. But I was brutally beaten by three young women in broad daylight while a crowd of onlookers stood by, too frightened to intervene.
One reminder of that event can instantly transport me back to that place and time, curled up on asphalt in the fetal position while three sets of boots kick me in the head hard, and relentlessly, over and over. I don’t know for how long I was beaten, I only remember praying for it to end. I went into a place in my head I’d never been before, and I hope to never go again.
My attackers were apprehended by the police not ten minutes after my attack, but I was forever changed by their brutality.
I share my story for two reasons. First, I want my customers to understand the origin of my deep passion for the products I’m selling. When I first learned about Damsel In Defense, my initial reaction was Yes! What a fantastic way for women to empower themselves! When I attended my first Damsel In Defense party, I fell in love with the products and the mission of the company. That very day I decided that I needed to help spread the word about this company and get these products into women’s hands.
Second, I want to make it clear that you never know when, where, how, or by whom you might become a victim. As women, we’re always told to be aware of our surroundings. I was perfectly aware of my surroundings that day, yet I still became a victim. If I’d been armed with a stun gun or pepper spray, the outcome would have been drastically different. Even if I’d been carrying my defense in my purse, there was a window of opportunity between the time I was threatened and the time I was attacked to reach into my purse and arm myself.
Unfortunately, I was utterly defenseless on the day I was attacked. Damsel In Defense is providing us all with the opportunity to protect ourselves. You probably feel perfectly safe in your daily life, going about your daily business, and you most likely are. The odds are not high that you will be assaulted. But that could change in an instant. There are plenty of victims of violence, just like me, who could attest to that. Sadly, there are some who can’t.
The simple act of carrying a pepper spray on my key ring gives me confidence I didn’t even know I was missing. It’s small and unassuming, but I love the feeling of knowing that it’s there if I need it. Because it’s on my key ring, it’s always in my hand when I’m walking in a parking lot. I love having a stun gun flashlight available if I step outside of my comfort zone and need to feel a little more secure. It’s ready and waiting for me if I go downtown at night and I’m walking to my car alone or if my family travels to an unfamiliar city. These weapons make me feel empowered!
You probably wouldn’t buy a new mattress, or a new lawn mower, or a new dishwasher unless you needed it. Personal security is different. You can’t wait until you need protection to purchase a stun gun. By then it will be too late.
I hope that no one reading this ever finds themselves the victim of a violent crime. I also hope you’ll consider arming yourself with the protection you’ll need if you ever are. None of us are immune to violence. It would be devastating to be standing in the aftermath of a violent crime, wishing that you’d taken the one simple step to protect yourself but didn’t.
Fifteen years ago I did not have Damsel In Defense to come to my aid. Now, I want everyone to feel as empowered as I do when I take my safety into my own hands. Selling self defense products is not just a business for me, it’s an opportunity to give someone else the chance I didn’t have all those years ago.
