A Social Worker’s Wake-Up Call: Top 5 Dangerous Situations for Women and How To Protect Yourself and Your Family Members

Dear Mothers and Guardians,

As a social worker in Texas, I’ve witnessed the harsh realities many women, particularly teenagers, face in our society. From physical attacks to stalking and harassment, the dangers are all too real and can happen at any time, leaving a lasting impact on their mental and emotional wellbeing. Despite the various programs and support networks available, the reality is that the threat of violence is still a constant presence for many women.

Danger can lurk in seemingly ordinary situations, and you will be surprised by these top 5 dangerous situation for women (especially teenagers) I’ve encountered in my work.

Last December, Emily, a dedicated college student, was walking to her car in the campus parking lot after a late-night study session. Suddenly, a man grabbed her from behind and attempted to assault her. Emily was terrified and felt powerless, struggling to break free from his grip. The National Institute of Justice reports that parking lots and garages are the third most common location for physical and sexual assaults against women.

One of my client was Mia, a high school sophomore, was trapped in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Jake. He would often berate her in front of their peers and became physically violent during arguments. Mia felt hopeless and trapped, fearing for her safety. In three adolescents in the US is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner, according toloveisrespect.org.

Sophia, a college freshman, was assaulted during a party on campus. Devastated and afraid, she turned to me for help. As her social worker, I felt helpless watching her struggle with this toxic environment. I could see the emotional scars left by the incident and felt her pain. RAINN reports that 13% of all college students experience rape or sexual assault.

Last week, Amanda, a young professional living alone, experienced a terrifying home invasion. The intruder assaulted her, leaving her traumatized and fearful in her own home. Until now, Amanda was not able to stay home alone anymore. As her social worker, I felt her pain and frustration and wished there was more I could do to help her feel safe again. Approximately 1 in 5 home invasions in the US result in violence against the occupants, as per the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

College student Sarah was relentlessly stalked by a former classmate for months. He would follow her, leave threatening messages, and make her feel constantly unsafe. Sarah felt isolated and vulnerable, unsure how to escape her stalker’s grasp. The National Center for Victims of Crime reveals that one in six women in the US will be a victim of stalking in their lifetime.

As a social worker, witnessing the pain, fear, and hopelessness experienced by these young women was heartbreaking. I felt an immense sense of responsibility to help them regain control over their lives. I knew I had to find a way to empower these women to defend themselves and take control of their own safety.

Determined to make a difference, I began researching non-lethal and safe safety kit tools that could be easily carried and used by women of all ages. That’s when I discovered the On-The-Go Mini Suitcase Safety Kit. With these tools, I felt confident that I could provide the young women I worked with the means to protect themselves.

In the Parking Lots and Garages, pepper spray and safety sound alarm are essential tools for deterring attackers and drawing attention to dangerous situations. With dating violence, the 130dB shriek sound alarm is a way to alert others if the partner became aggressive. For Home Invasion, the door opener and window breaker create a secure entry points for escape route in case of emergency.

Let us unite in our mission to protect our daughters, nieces, sisters, and OURSELVES. Let provide them with the resources they need to thrive. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in their lives and empower them to face their fears and defend themselves when it matters most.

With love and hope for a safer future,
Jane Lewis