By Our Safety Guardian
Being a woman is, to me, one of the most beautiful, but also one of the most terrifying, experiences.
We are constantly told what to do, what to wear, what to say, how to behave – and yet, even when we follow all of that to the letter, we still become victims of our surroundings.
Should we choose to live our lives in a way that is deemed ‘inappropriate’ or strays from what we’ve been taught, we are then told we put ourselves in that situation by not following the so-called ‘guidelines for women’.
Our safety is so important to us, and sometimes it feels like it matters ONLY to us, and we are often left without the resources we need when it matters most.
We shouldn’t be made to feel this way. We should be able to speak freely, invite new dialogue, prompt helpful conversations, and simply walk down a street without feeling targeted or weak.
And truthfully, we are not weak. We are strong. Every woman walks a unique and powerful journey and we deserve to feel empowered.
South Africa is suffering from an epidemic: femicide. We are not respected, and we are targeted because too many men still believe we are less than them.
Safety Key Chains (SKC) offers products designed to help users feel stronger as they go about their days. We hope you never need to use them, but they are here if you need them.
There are three products that are my personal favourites: the Kubotan, Kitty Knuckles, and Window Breaker (which is a combination Seat Belt Cutter).
The Kitty Knuckles are designed to be cute, with its name being the focal point – cat -, and like a cat, it is more than meets the eye. It has two sharp points that work best in the softer areas of the skin and as they attach to the keys, it is easy to loop your fingers through while walking to your destination. When gripped securely and used with force, the Kitty Knuckles can create puncture wounds that can distract an attacker and allow you valuable seconds to get away.
The Kubotan is a small, lightweight tool, with an easy to grip body (often shaped like a short rod or stick). It is designed to be held in the fist, and used to apply pressure to pressure points (or sensitive areas) in self-defense situations. When used as a striking object and brought forward with force, it will cause an attacker to take a step back and assess their injury, allowing you seconds to get away.
The Window Breaker (and Seat Belt Cutter) is a very important tool, but one that we hope no one ever has to use. In a high stakes situation where you are being moved from one location to another, your chances of being found are dramatically decreased. This sounds scary because it is scary. The cutter slices through material, allowing you more freedom of movement – and when paired with the intensity of a window smasher – can aid you in escape. Jumping out of a moving vehicle can cause its own injuries, but injuries that can heal. Many people will not heal if you are not here.
Our aim is to empower ourselves as women, and the LGBTQ+ community, who are under more-and-more strain every day. Existing as a human shouldn’t be seen as dangerous or inflammatory, and we want to help you feel as safe as you can while navigating through the world.
These items may get you out of a dangerous situation, but healing from the trauma is another hurdle to face and tackle. Please remember, you are not alone, and you deserve help. There are many resources out there, so please don’t be afraid to reach out, should you need help. See our suggestions below:
Resources
Disclaimer
All safety items sold are legal in South Africa, and it remains the buyer’s responsibility to use them responsibly and in accordance with South African law. Cuppa Daisies, Michelle Longman, and any individuals associated with the business are not liable for any injuries resulting from the use of self-defence or keychain items.
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