Of course if you have any chance to escape with your child, do so immediately. Take your children to women's self defense classes if they are old enough. They have the same chance of danger that you do. Women's self defense courses offer mother and child classes or they have independent self defense classes just for children. Somebody jumping out of the bushes and attacking you is one of the least occurring scenarios you happen in the real world. Most rapes come from family members, husbands, boyfriends, or the guy you just met in the nightclub. Rape is usually not a first response action. The perpetrator will make a planned attempt that is usually a long or short term decision to take what is not given to him. Some women's self-defense experts have even suggested that you carry pepper spray when you are jogging, biking, or anywhere that you would be alone and susceptible to attack. Pepper spray is an aerosol container that has a gas propellant that sprays the pepper at the attacker. It is recommended by women's self-defense group that you spray the pepper in the eyes or face of the attacker. In the past, the prospective date would be known to the woman, or at least known by the woman's friends or relatives. In this instance, one could be relatively assured that their date would treat them well and behave like a gentleman. Today, though, the "blind date" can be an individual who has actively misled the woman by falsifying his intentions, past bad behaviors, and even criminal convictions. Do not be afraid to knock on a stranger's door or even enter it without permission if you are being chased. The charge of breaking and entering is worth it if it saves your life. The owners probably would not press charges due to the circumstances. Another artificial noise maker is the compressed air noise maker. Even if you have to walk an extra block or two, Stay on well lit side walks and choose the side of the street that has more lights on at houses. If you are riding in a car, before getting in you need to check the backseat to make sure no one is hiding in it. If you are parked in a parking garage, ask the attendant to accompany or at least to monitor your safety on a video camera.