April 2008 Archives

Women in college 40% more likely to become a victim of sexual assault (thats 1 in 4)!  Here are some quick facts - don't become a victim - get protection now!

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1 out of every 6 American women have been the victims of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime (14.8% completed rape; 2.8% attempted rape).

17.7 million American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape.

9 of every 10 rape victims were female in 2003.

While about 80% of all victims are white, minorities are somewhat more likely to be attacked.

Lifetime rate of rape /attempted rape for women by race:

  • All women: 17.6%
  • White women: 17.7%
  • Black women: 18.8%
  • Asian Pacific Islander women: 6.8%
  • American Indian/Alaskan women: 34.1%
  • Mixed race women: 24.4%

Men

About 3% of American men -- or 1 in 33 -- have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.

  • In 2003, 1 in every ten rape victims were male.
  • 2.78 million men in the U.S. have been victims of sexual assault or rape.

Children

15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under age 12.

  • 29% are age 12-17.
  • 44% are under age 18.
  • 80% are under age 30.
  • 12-34 are the highest risk years.
  • Girls ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.

7% of girls in grades 5-8 and 12% of girls in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused.

  • 3% of boys grades 5-8 and 5% of boys in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused.

In 1995, local child protection service agencies identified 126,000 children who were victims of either substantiated or indicated sexual abuse.

  • Of these, 75% were girls.
  • Nearly 30% of child victims were between the age of 4 and 7.

93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker.

  • 34.2% of attackers were family members.
  • 58.7% were acquaintances.
  • Only 7% of the perpetrators were strangers to the victim.


Effects of Rape

Victims of sexual assault are:

3 times more likely to suffer from depression.

6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.

26 times more likely to abuse drugs.

4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.


Pregnancies Resulting from Rape

In 2004-2005, 64,080 women were raped. According to medical reports, the incidence of pregnancy for one-time unprotected sexual intercourse is 5%. By applying the pregnancy rate to 64,080 women, RAINN estimates that there were 3,204 pregnancies as a result of rape during that period.

This calculation does not account for the following factors which could lower the actual number of pregnancies:
  • Rape, as defined by the NCVS, is forced sexual intercourse. Forced sexual intercourse means vaginal, oral, or anal penetration by offender(s). This category includes incidents where the penetration is from a foreign object such as a bottle. Certain types of rape under this definition cannot cause pregnancy.
  • Some victims of rape may be utilizing birth control methods, such as the pill, which will prevent pregnancy.
  • Some rapists may wear condoms in an effort to avoid DNA detection.
  • Vicims of rape may not be able to become pregnant for medical or age-related reasons.
This calculation does not account for the following factors which could raise the actual number of pregnancies:
  • Medical estimates of a 5% pregnancy rate are for one-time, unprotected sexual intercourse. Some victimizations may include multiple incidents of intercourse.
  • Because of methodology, NCVS does not measure the victimization of Americans age 12 or younger. Rapes of these young people could results in pregnancies not accounted for in RAINN's estimates.


References
  1. 1998 Commonwealth Fund Study of the Health of Adolescent Boys. 1998.
  2. 1998 Commonwealth Fund Survey of the Health of Adolescent Girls. 1998.
  3. National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey. 1998.
  4. 1997 Sex Offense and Offenders Study. 1997.
  5. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
  6. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2000 Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement. 2000.
  7. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. 1995 Child Maltreatment Study. 1995
  8. U.S. Department of Justice. 2005 National Crime Victimization Study. 2005.
  9. U.S. Department of Justice. 2003 National Crime Victimization Survey. 2003.
  10. U.S. Department of Justice. 2000 National Crime Victimization Study. 2000.
  11. U.S. Department of Justice. 1999 National Crime Victimization Study. 1999.
  12. U.S. Department of Justice.
nicole_kidman.jpgOscar winner NICOLE KIDMAN is trying to raise awareness of violence against women. The actress, who is the goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) - helped launch the Say No to Violence against Women campaign. She says, "One in three women will encounter violence in some way, shape or form against them in their lifetime. So much of it is shrouded in silence. What we are trying to do is say this is something that needs to be addressed. A lot of it is taking away the stigma, creating awareness and not making it a silent pandemic. I want to encourage people of all nations to unite behind our call to end violence against women.

RAPES...There were 94,635 reported rapes in 2004. The highest percentage of rape is in the Northeast. July is when the greatest number of rapes occur.

ROBBERIES...There were 401,326 robberies in 2004. Highest percentage of these (38%) were in the South. 42% of the robberies occurred on the streets, 14% occurred in homes.

ASSAULT...There were 854,911 incidents of aggravated assault. Firearms were used for 19.3% of the assaults, knives or cutting instruments 18.6%, other weapons (clubs, blunt objects, etc.) 35.6% and personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.) accounted for 26.6% of the assaults.

CAR JACKINGS...There are around 38,000 car jackings each year. 74% of the victims faced a weapon. About 63% of carjacking incidents occurred within 5 miles of the victim's home, including 17% that occurred at or near the home...sometimes in their own driveway. Only 4% occurred more than 50 miles from the victim's home.


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·         One of the times your home is most vulnerable is when it is left empty for an extended period of time. Darkened windows, mail or newspapers collecting and closed windows in hotter weather all advertise your absence to a potential burglar.

 

·         The best protection for your apartment during your absence is to have a house sitter. A friend you trust staying at your house can take care of your pets and/or plants in addition to making sure the house is inhabited.

 

·         Have a neighbor check on your apartment while you're away -- turning on lights, radios or TVs and opening and closing curtains will give your apartment the appearance of someone home.

 

·         If you don't have a friend or neighbor to housesit or check your apartment while you're away -- perhaps even if you do -- you should keep not only lights but a TV or radio on a timer. If you're like me and have your TV on almost all the time you're home [NOTE: I don't watch it, it's just background noise.], the absence of the sound and that glowing light in the windows announces that you're not there.

 

·         Make sure whoever is checking your apartment while you're away knows how to work your alarm system and who to call in case of a problem.

 

·         Unless you have a house sitter, stop your mail and any newspaper or other delivery. Nothing announces an empty apartment better than a stack of newspapers or an overflowing mailbox. Ask a nearby neighbor to pick up any packages delivered while you're gone.

 

·         If you have a garden or plants on your balcony, make sure someone is watering the plants regularly or put the plants where they can't be seen. Plants slowly dying due to lack of water may announce your absence.

 

·         Check your lease. Many landlords require that you notify them if your apartment is going to be left empty for any period of time (this is so they can enter in case of emergency even if they can't reach you). If you've got a house sitter this isn't necessary.


Taking Steps

Date: Sunday, April 27, 2008
Location: Institute Park, Worcester, MA
Time: 11:00am
Details: Taking Steps is a 5K Walkathon that supports survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in Worcester County and promotes prevention of violence against women and children. Funds raised are shared among organizations within central Massachusetts that are in the forefront of providing advocacy, counseling, shelter, safety and education. Your participation directly helps victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, their families, friends and communities.

Fore more information, please visit: takingsteps.org.

Tickets are SOLD OUT!

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2008
Time:5:30pm - PATRON/VIP Reception
6:30pm - Cocktail Reception
7:45pm - Dinner, Program and Live Auction
Location: The Depot, Minneapolis, MN
Details: Benefit dinner with a live auction and musical performances byMichael Bublé and Martina McBride, with Master of Ceremonies Holly Robinson Peete. Proceeds benefit RAINN. Learn more about RAINN's 24/7 Campaign.

Help support RAINN.org - they are a great charity that supports victims.  Here at Stinger Defense we donate 5% of net proceeds to RAINN annually.


Sexual Assault

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An estimated 12.1 million women in the U.S. have been victims of Rape. At least 39% of these victims have been involved in more than one rape. An estimated 20% of teenage girls and young women have been involved in some type of dating violence.

This includes: Physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse. While it is important to address the needs of the victims of assault, it is equally important to be prepared for stopping this sexual violence before it begins.

Shelly Neel - President of Stinger Defense LLC

Taser C2

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A review of the Taser C2 Stun Gun by Stinger Defense.

The Taser C2 is one of the best stun guns we have seen. Unlike a regular stun gun in which direct contact must be made, the Taser C2 can "stun" your assailant from up to 15 feet away.
It is easy to use and has features which prevents it's misuse by criminals. In testing the Taser C2 Stun gun was more effective then our 1,000,000+ volt stun guns in putting a person down. In police studies it has more instant incapacitation "take down power" then a 9mm handgun.

It also worked through normal clothing (the probes/barbs did not have to make direct contact with the skin). However when wearing thick winter clothing (t-shirt, thermals, sweater and thick winter jacket) it lost its effectiveness. We figure this was about 2 inches of clothing and that was about as much as one would ever wear in winter, so in real world conditions the Taser Stun Guns should have no problems in being effective.

The optional laser is not really an option. If you are in a crisis, with the adrenaline flowing you will need the laser so you will know exactly where to fire. If you are going to purchase this get it with the laser - it is a must. PS - it can not be fitted with a laser at a later time.

Here at Stinger Defense we give the Taser C2 the following:
Effectiveness: A+
Ease of Use: A+
Value/Price: B- ($349.95 with Laser - Replacement Cartridges about $25.00 each).
Ease of Carry: B- (this item is large and suited more for a backup located in the home, office or car. It is to big to really car on ones person all day long unless you are a women with a large purse).

Overall: A- to A (my wife liked it a hair more then me). Both me and my wife carry one of these - she keeps her in the front pocket of her purse (remember you must be able to get to it fast and that is not in the bottom of your purse) while I keep mine in the truck. I prefer to carry a small stun gun in my pocket for daily use and mace on my key ring.

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Buy Taser C2 with Laser Sights Now for Only $349.95

Be Prepared

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There are times in our life when will will need to use either lethal or non-lethal force. It is much easier to use non-lethal force since, you, the user will know you are not killing another living being. This allows us to react faster and not hesitate at that critical moment. It's a proven fact that is very natural to think twice when one understands they will be using deadly force.

Here in the Neel / Stinger Defense family we carry both stun guns and pepper sprays on our persons, as well as backups to those items in our homes, office and cars.

Be Prepared:
Stun Guns and/or Pepper Sprays should always be within reach under 1 second - not in the bottom of a purse, briefcase or backpack. It will not help you when the time arrives if it is located there!

I personally prefer a 3 step protection plan:

1) Observation (be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to your sixth sense).

2) Preparation - have a key chain pepper spray gun, cell phone stun gun on a belt clip, in a pants pocket, hand or suit jacket. Do not keep it somewhere that you will have to look for it - it will be to late if you do. Then get a backup for those items that you keep readily available in the home, office and car - the cost is really insignificant compared to the option of being a victim.

3) The strut - walk with your head and shoulders upright, chest out and with a focused stride. If you look serious and confident it automatically make an assailant think twice and look for the next victim. If they do chose to attack you - they will soon find they picked the wrong victim if your prepared!

For as low as a hundred dollars per person one can have both pepper spray and a stun gun, as well as a backup in the car. This is cheap; considering it just might save your life and/or prevent you from becoming a victim of sexual assault, rape or theft.

Get protection NOW for yourself, your spouse, your daughter/son, girlfriend/boyfriend. Even if you chose to purchase your stun gun or pepper spray somewhere else I urge you to do it ASAP. It is only a matter of time before your time will come (the statistics prove it), then they will thank you or you will thank yourself - I promise!

Nate Neel - Vice President of Stinger Defense LLC

If you cant afford protection now give us a call and we will see what we can do - it's that important to our company and my family.

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This page is an archive of entries from April 2008 listed from newest to oldest.

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