ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 24, 1996 TAG: 9605240008
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SUSAN VARY TRAXEL
WOMEN EVERYWHERE are starting to talk. Could it happen to them?
In the Associated Press article you published on May 10 (``Slaying heightens fears''), Tina Collis, a resident near the Culpeper site where Alicia Showalter Reynolds' body was found, states she wasn't afraid but rather mad: "It angers me that a man doesn't have to worry about this."
It's times like this when women everywhere are reminded that they are indeed easy targets for gender-related crimes simply because they are women. Where we live, park, walk, with every step American women must weigh their personal safety against the increasing odds of criminal attack.
Studies show that women who escape assault exhibit this trait: They're cautious and aware of their environment. And experts agree the single most important step toward ensuring your personal safety is making the conscious decision to refuse to be a victim.
In the article, Virginia State Police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell offered advice what to do if someone tries to get drivers to pull over: ``Go to a well-lit public place where there are people around.''
I encourage women to go further. A personal survival strategy is a way of life and depends on awareness, boundary-setting and resistance. Women often put themselves in potentially dangerous situations by not being alert to their surroundings, and criminals prefer easy targets. Don't leave yourself exposed.
When driving along, and someone attempts to have you pull over, don't stop immediately. Turn down the radio and listen to your vehicle. If there's no noise or smoke, the possible problem can wait until you reach a service station or well-lit public area.
If your car does break down, evaluate your surroundings. Some options could be to call for help with a cellular phone (but don't identify that you're alone). Don't get out of your car. Or, if that's necessary, turn on your emergency flashers, get out and quickly open your hood, put a "call for help" sign in your window, and immediately get back into your vehicle, locking your door. If assistance other than identifiable police arrives, continue to stay in your vehicle and ask for the police to be called. Don't compromise on safety.
Some criminals have been known to purposely bump a person's vehicle in a planned fender-bender. In no situation should you get out of your car to inspect the damage if alone with the other driver. Ask for police assistance. And never stop to pick up a hitchhiker or to assist another motorist, as that, too, may be a ploy. If you feel you must assist, call 911 from another location.
The best strategy is to plan to avoid situations that may make you vulnerable. Keep your car in good repair, learn how to change a tire, never allow the gas tank to fall below the one-fourth-full level, and learn information and strategies to make you less likely to become a criminal statistic. Learn how to avoid dangerous situations, especially random highway abductions. Attend classes that instruct and reinforce safety education.
Our hearts go out to Reynolds' family. May her untimely death remind women everywhere about the need to be aware, alert and assertive.
Susan Vary Traxel of Blacksburg is a personal safety instructor.
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