Sketch of man released in attempted rape at Daytona State College

You think your safe at school. This is another reason that a Pepper Spray or Stun Gun could just save your life!

DAYTONA, Fla. —

Daytona State College was on alert Friday afternoon after a man tried to sexually assault a woman in a bathroom, according to police.

There were only a few witnesses nearby when the incident happened.

“It’s just alarming to know that those things can happen on campus when we’re just trying to learn and study,” said student Amanda Rasmussen.

The man was described as being about 6 feet tall, 20 to 25 years old and has a lazy left eye.

Police said he followed a photography student into the women’s bathroom and put his hand over her mouth. She screamed and kicked the man until he gave up and ran.

A report said a staff member and a few students who heard her scream chased him, but he was able to get away.

“It’s pretty crazy. I wouldn’t really expect it, but it makes you more aware,” said student Shannon Kelly.

Officials said there were no surveillance cameras on the inside of the building where the incident occurred.

However, there are cameras all over campus, but none of them caught a glimpse of the man.

Before the crime, police said there were no reports of a suspicious person in the photography building. Students said it’s not unusual to see people they don’t know on campus, and it’s not typically a problem.

“I talk to strangers all the time and don’t think anything of it, so I feel safe,” said student Summer Gale.

School officials told WFTV only about half of the buildings have cameras on the inside and they couldn’t say whether there were plans to get more.

Police said they do have a few leads in the case.

A release from the college said: “Daytona State College continues to work closely with the Daytona (Beach) Police Department to support their investigation and identification of the suspect. The college’s Campus Safety Office is on alert and vigilant, with efforts to safeguard the campus population. Counseling services for the victim and any other student or employee seeking counseling are available through the college, as well.”

Anyone with information regarding the situation is asked to contact Detective Todd Barnes at (386) 671-5217, or the Daytona State College Campus Safety Office at (386) 506-4444.

You always have your keys, you will always have your Pepper Spray in hand, before you enter the bathroom or exit the bathroom stall have it in hand. The same with a Stun Gun have it in hand and ready to go! Either one of these will do you any good sitting your purse. Element of surprise is on your side and could very well save your life!

The most important things to remember if you have  gotten yourself into a violent situation, react immediately!

If you put up any kind of fight at all, the attacker gets discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you is to time consuming. These same men (inmates) said they would not pick women that were carrying umbrellas or other similar objects in their hands that can be used as a weapon at a distance. Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use your keys as a weapon. So the idea is to convince the attacker you are not worth it.

Escape is always the better option. If all the sudden you are confronted by an assailant, and he demands you come with him, DO NOT,DO NOT  leave the crime scene! Hit the attacker where it counts, eyes, knees, throat, groin, stomp the top of the foot. These are all good places to kick or gouge. Remeber earlier fight back.

Run, run, run, if the predator has a gun but you are not under his control, take off. The experts say the predator will only hit a running target 4 out of 100 shots. Even then it most likely will not hit a vital organ.

Make eye contact. It may be your first instinct to lower your gaze as you walk to your destination. But looking straight into the face of  the potential  enemies is a better option, “Eye contact may scare off attackers because they fear you will be able to identify them”.

Only 2% of the rapist interviewed said they carry weapons because rape carries a 3 – 5  year sentence, but with a weapon that carries a 15 – 20 year sentence.

The time of day men are more likely to attack and rap a women is early morning between 5:30 to 8:30 AM.

Dress to kill, clogs, high heels, tight skirts are hard to run and fight in. While scarves and long necklaces are easy to grab. If possible modify your fashion style or wear comfortable clothing when walking alone. You can always change into your dress-up clothing later. Or think it through, how would you fight in your dress-up clothes. Would you kick off your high heels or hike up your skirt around your hips to run or kick. 

Once again I think everyone should carry Pepper Spray!

Something to think about!

Be Safe!!

Contributions by Jayne Hitcock, President of halting online abuse. Mary Ellen Burns Spokesperson Boston PD, Mary Beth Bond.

Charge it for 8 to 10 hrs, some come partial charged and may sound strong but you do not know it they are at optimal charge. Most Stun Guns just a red light that shows that it is charging. There is only one that I can think of that that does have an indicator light that starts of red the yellow then green to let you know it is completely charged, “that is the Stun Master Multi Function Stun Gun”. Then after you have charged your Stun Gun try to remember to charge it at least once a month after that. If you find yourself using the flashlight a lot, charge every couple of weeks to keep it at optimum performance.

Read the Directions! If for some reason you do not understand something, call whoever you brought it from and ask questions.

Now sit down with it and get comfortable with it. The sound can be very intimidating so set of the Stun Gun in short 1/2 second burst or you take the chance of burning up the Stun Gun. It is OK in very short bursts watch the blue arcs and loud snapping sound, which should now not be scaring you. If it has a flashlight get comfortable with the setting of flashlight then activating the Stun Gun.What you do not want is if you get in a situation to where you do have to use it, you do not want to be fumbling with it or you are going to be in trouble! There are so many different kinds of Stun Guns so it is impossible to go through each one. The volts range from 100,000 all the way up to 7 Million Volts. The 100,000 volt one I have been told it stings a little but they would not even go near any other stronger ones! Just remember amperage is what kills, so amperage is low volts are high.

I have read that there are optimum points for discharge.  Large muscle groups, upper hip, below the rib cage, or upper shoulders. I say go for the scrotum! I am not going to be thinking about large mucsle groups when my mind is now in flight or fight mode. Most people do not like the sound of a Stun Gun and will not come any closer. If they choose to come closer go ahead and point and hold the device against the thug. Hold tight they are going to flail on the way down so do not let the thug knock it out of your hand. How long do you hold it against the thug will depend on their size and build. Do not worry it will not shock back to you. When the thug goes down, run like to wind to safety!

Laws do vary from State to State so check with your local Police Dept. Florida it is legal to carry a Stun Gun with out a permit because it is a form of non lethal protection.

Have your Stun Gun out and ready do not be fumbling in your purse looking or it because then it will be to late.

Just remember do not let it empower you, you empower that Stun Gun!

Be Safe!

I carry the Black Leather Pepper Spray Keychain. I always have my keys when I go out.  I frequently go to the grocery store or Walmart after dark. I do not carry a purse anymore, I just put my debit card in my back pocket. There is nothing I cannot live without while I am in the grocery store. Guess it would be different if I carried a designer bag like some of my co-workers. No one pays any attention to the pepper spray hanging off my keys so when I leave, I do have it out and my finger on the trigger. By doing this I do pay attention to what is going on around me. I also notice how many people are on their phones without a care in the world. Guess what they are perfect targets!

Pepper Sprays price range from $7.95 and up. The most expensive does not necessarily the best, sometimes you are paying for a name brand, yet both have the same ingredients. Many different colors, blue,red, pink,black.

Try to remember to replace it yearly. Mine started leaking around the valve on the top.

Be safe out there people, get off your phone and pay attention!

When you touch someone the the electrified prongs of a Stun Gun, it interrupts the impulese to the brain, all the muscles are trying to work, using up all the glucose (sugar) stores, lactic acid a by product the muscles are making spilling into the blood stream. This is why the victim cannot get up. Now how long it takes for the victim to recover will depend on size and their ability to recover. If you use one do not stand around to see if the thug get up, run like the wind to a safe haven. Most of the time just the sound of a Stun Gun is intimidating enough. No one wants to come in contact with one. If they do, bring it on!!

If you do own a Stun Gun and the sound of it scares you, sit down with it and get comfortable with it. If you hit someone with a Stun Gun it will not shock back you. Do not let a Stun Gun empower you, you empower it!! You will also see that you pay more attention to your surroundings and what is going on around you.

Have A Safe Day!!

The outcome could have been alot different had the  shooter had a Stun Gun. This is a form of NONLETHAL form of protection. Just the sound alone is intimidating and in Florida you can carry a Stun Gun without a concealed weapon permit. Because Stun Guns are not a lethal weapon!

Maybe these Neighborhood Watch people should think about carrying a Stun Gun instead of a gun!

I have a lot of Ladies that have a gun but choose not to carry because of the consequences of what could happen if they did use it. They are more comfortable carrying a stun gun instead of a gun. This holds true even for Seniors.

Let me know what you think.