I agree that we need to know how to protect ourselves, but right now it's far more common to see women being advised on how to protect ourselves and rare to see men advised on how to act respectfully to women. Even well-intentioned, polite dudes might not realize, for example, that something they're doing is scary to women because they just aren't aware of our mindset of constantly watching out for violence. Or worse, we as a society don't condemn rape (just read about the Brock Turner case) and make it the woman's responsibility to avoid rape (Watch your drink, Don't go out alone) and not the man's responsibility to not commit rape.

@Marnee DeRider - I know this probably won't get to you because I can't write it as a reply, but here goes. Someone asking for your number isn't a predator. If they ask you over and over, if they don't take no for an answer, if they won't leave you alone, if they are making you feel uncomfortable, then they are being predators. One definition of 'predator' is an animal that hunts, kills, and eats other animals, like wolves, and lions. Another is someone who follows people in order to harm them or commit a crime against them, like a sexual predator. So it can be an apt description.

I agree. And as I said few times on this subject - 1) it doesn't matter if you go jogging every day or if you practice some martial art. Krav maga is popular, very efective and it usually doesn't cost much. 2) self defence tools are quite cheap and can be disguised as jewelery. 3) when you will get something for self defence, practice with it. You have at least one friend who is willing to help you or you can ask in local gym if is there somebody who will help you. Also policemen are sometimes willing to help you with tips and tricks how to use tasers, stunguns, battons, etc and train with you. I was training with my wife and now I'm damn sure that if she will be ever attacked by somebody with knife or batton whe will not be the one who will be hurt.

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@Catlady6000: So, a guy asking for a number is a predator? (Also, you do know that "predator" is an animal that kills in order to eat. It's not a very apt description of a person who does violence and makes it a joke.)

This advice is for other people though. It’s from one person to another.

Trina, duh! As parents, teachers, older siblings etc., we should be teaching men how to be respectful, intelligent citizens. We shouldn't have to focus on advising women how to deal w socially inept a******s. And yes, this is broader than men and women. Women can be inappropriate with men. Men and women can be inappropriate in homosexual relationships. We need to teach our children how to be respectful and considerate, how to accept "no"as a complete sentence, no explanation required.

I know what you are saying but by that logic we wouldn't discourage anyone from engaging in criminal/abusive behaviour as we would only focus on avoiding being victimized, which clearly isn't a good way for the world to run. So obviously as a society and as parents, teachers etc. we do need to be developing correct behaviour.

My dad is in forensics. Do you REALLY want to know how many women (CIS and Trans) get gutted? There is a list that is read in November of people killed. I could send that to you, if you like.

Women get attacked for saying no all the time. It might be nice to pretend that it's only in movies but that just isn't the truth. This is just the most recent one that I heard of: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-baby-shot-fresno-party-20190624-story.html%3foutputType=amp

Or just read JP's comment below