Blog 4-Tips to Protect Yourself from Sexual Assault

Tips to Protect Yourself from Sexual Assault

          According to Rainn.org (Rape, Assault, Incest, National Network) someone is sexually assaulted every two minutes. Each year there are approximately 207, 754 victims of sexual assault. 80% are under age 30 and 1 out of 6 American women have been a victim of attempted or completed rape. (1) With statistics like these women must be aware and do what we can to protect ourselves. We don't have to be helpless, and I found 7 tips to help us be safe.

Tips:

1. Always tell someone where you are going, who you will be with, and when you will be expected to return. (2)

2. Be extremely vigilant at all times. Most attacks occur when women are not paying careful attention to their surroundings and are distracted. (2)

3. If at a party or nightclub, never leave your drink unattended. (2)

4. Carry a non-lethal self defense weapon, such as pepper spray or a stun gun. Either of these personal protection items can be purchased easily, and many are disguised to look like other common items (e.g., cell phones, lipstick cases, pens, rings, etc.). Keep your weapon handy anytime you are alone or in a potentially dangerous situation. (2)

5. Carry a cell phone with you in case of emergency. Keep it handy without having to rummage through your purse or pockets.

6. Always trust your intuition. (3)

7. Have a whistle on your keychain to draw attention, attention is the last thing the attacker wants and will startle him. (3)

I also looked up and found out that TWU offers a self defense course. It's called a SHARP course: Sexual Harassment, Assault, and Rape Prevention. Here's whats directly on the website: 

SHARP Course

In an effort to provide valuable education and training regarding sexual assault prevention, the TWU Department of Public Safety offers the Sexual Harassment, Assault & Rape Prevention (SHARP) course to the TWU community. This course focuses on helping people manage and cope with issues in a crisis that can be controlled instead of merely providing them with statistical information that will be of no benefit to them in an urgent situation. The basic course is modular in nature and designed to be delivered in three separate units. These units are Prevention Psychology, Managing Social or Professional Physical Harassment and Assault Countermeasures:

The Prevention Psychology unit is a non-physical lecture unit. This unit may appeal to individuals who are timid about taking a hands-on self-defense course but who are motivated to attend a class that focuses on preventing a crime.

The Managing Social or Professional Physical Harassment unit provides response options to individuals who are physically harassed at work or in another social context. The tactics learned in this unit are assertive, yet tactful. It is made clear in relevant instruction that stopping advances in a harsh manner can jeopardize family or professional relationships.

Assault Countermeasures is a block of instruction that teaches highly effective personal defense strategies and techniques. Individuals who attend this portion of the SHARP training are expected to have already completed at least the Prevention Psychology Unit. Given that it is much easier to stay out of trouble than it is to get out of trouble, it is important that students understand the basics of preventing crimes before learning how to protect themselves in the midst of one.

The SHARP course can be taught in individual units or as one continuous seminar or course. Students taking this class are able to earn credit hours through the Department of Kinesiology. For more information about SHARP and how to schedule the course, please contact the TWU Department of Public Safety at (940) 898-2915. 

http://www.twu.edu/dps/service-programs.asp#SHARPCourse 

I also found a very interesting video on YouTube about men and women being asked how they prevent assault on a daily basis. 

1. http://www.rainn.org/get-information/statistics/sexual-assault-victims

2.  http://www.pepper-spray-store.com/pages/avoid-sexual-assault

3. http://msigler4.hubpages.com/hub/Tips-To-Protect-Yourself-From-Sexual-Assault

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eCCaKuWQLp8

Blog #3

What role does the media play in how we feel about our bodies? How can health educators help to prepare effective messages that counter some of the negative images and ideas generated in the media? Do you think that the media is embracing more diversity in body shape, size and color than what was "acceptable" years ago?

The media plays a significant role of how women feel about their bodies. From a very young age, girls are bombarded with images, songs and movies telling them how should look. The media industry is very sexist and, in several advertisements women are objectified. There are rarely any media programs that promote a healthy body image, leading girls to have undeniable issues with self esteem and body image. According to the American Psychological Association, teens are estimated to be exposed to 14,000 sexual references per year on TV.(1) Here are a few examples of women in ads.

                                                

                           

          Health educators should create a large campaign on grand scale to combat the negative and objectified images of women portrayed in the images above. Something as big and impactful as Susan G. Komen, for breast cancer. Health educators can get celebrity endorsements and have celebrity spokespersons-male and female. Celebrities could take pledges to not allow themselves to be objectified and not objectify other women. The campaign should focus on promoting a healthy body image, a push for more active and diverse female characters, equal and healthy relationships, and an increased number of roles for women.

          However, compared to how accepting the media is about embracing diversity in women's shape, size and color from several years ago seems to have changed but then again it hasn't. I know that larger women in the 50's and 60's were considered more attractive. For example Marilyn Monroe was a US size 12.(2) Yet, today skinny or super skinny is considered beauty. But in regards to diversity in color, it seems everywhere you look or every commercial on TV has a skinny Caucasian woman as the object of beauty.

To end this blog I found a cool quote from Tina Fey :)

" Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits. The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes.”(3)

-Tina Fey

1. http://www.missrepresentation.org/about-us/resources/gender-resources/

2. http://jezebel.com/5299793/for-the-last-time-what-size-was-marilyn-monroe

3. http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/372993-but-i-think-the-first-real-change-in-women-s-body

 

Blog 2

4.  Explore how menopause is viewed from a different cultural perspective (outside the US).

I found a very fascinating article called, “Menopause Across Cultures” which describes the way US/Western Culture, Japan and Mayan Indians in Mexico culturally perceive menopause. First, the author describes how the word menopause is associated with dread, old age, unattractiveness and a sense of uselessness in Western culture. When menopause starts Western women are overcome with concern about the changes that will wreak havoc on her body. From the dreadful hot flashes and night sweats to loss of libido. (WebMD) Once a woman as reached menopause and is no longer able to bear children, she loses her value in society. However, the symptoms and even mindset of menopause in the US is radically different from Japan and the Mayans.  The Japanese word for menopause is konenki which translates to renew/regeneration, of years and energy. Japanese women also lack the symptoms associated with menopause. In 2005 only 25% of Japanese women experienced hot flashes. According to the author of the article, the main reason for the absence of symptoms in Japan is due to their diet. A good diet, exercise and stress management can dissipate the symptoms of menopause.    

The Mayan culture was my favorite and most interesting on how they perceive menopause. There are still Mayan tribes in Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and also in Guatemala. Some of the Mayan women could not even remember or report a significant symptom of menopause. These women look forward to and welcome menopause, it is seen as freedom and receiving a higher status in their village. They become spiritual leaders in their community and become the center of their society. These women are positive and undaunted about going through menopause. I thought that was so remarkable and so opposite of what I’m used to seeing in our culture.

            Overall I am really glad I read this article, menopause does not have to be something I fear or look down on when I reach that stage in my life. I also think it’s amazing how you could avoid some of the harshest symptoms through a healthy diet and exercise.

Sources:

Mills, D. (2011, 02 06). Women to women. Retrieved from http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/menopauseacrosscultures.aspx

Nihira, M. A. (2010). Understanding menopause- symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/understanding-menopause-symptoms

Blog 1

A health issue that I am most concerned about is diabetes. I love food, I love to cook and try new things and they always say that the stuff that tastes real good is what’s worse for you and that worries me. I used to be a very heavy soda drinker and sweet eater but after my grandma was diagnosed with diabetes it kind of shook me. I took my grandma to many of her doctor’s appointments and saw what she went through. During this one appointment I went through her one of her pamphlets and noticed that I had some of the beginning signs of diabetes.  It’s amazing how when it comes to health and your body, you reap what you sow. This led to a change in me to want to be healthier and have better control of what I put in my body. Honestly to this day it’s a big struggle for me to eat better and be disciplined.

Interviews:

What health issues you are most concerned about? Why?

Sarah Fernandez, 19yrs old:

            “Obesity because it seems to be a undeniably prominent issue within the United States. It is not uncommon to go outside, whether it be school, the store, or just for a walk at the park and see people struggling with obesity. L”

Maria Fernandez, 43years old:

            “The effects of stress due to running a business, being a mother and wife. I have experienced many of the side effects of stress such as weight gain and migraines.”

My concern is relatively similar to my sister Sarah’s concern of obesity. I believe diabetes and obesity have similar negative effects on your health. However, in regards to my mom’s health concern of stress, I haven’t reached that point in life where I have those same issues of being a mother and running a business and the mental stress that would affect your body. 

Bio

Hello everybody! My name is Amanda Fernandez and this is my second semester at TWU, I transferred from North Lake College.  I'm pursing a degree in General Studies and my concentration areas are Health Studies and Business. I'm a junior and I hope to graduate next spring. I'm pursing health studies because I think it's fascinating and I'm pretty excited about taking this course. I hope to learn to take care of myself and be better informed when it comes to my health. I also plan to pass on any new information I learn to my family to help them be aware and make wiser decisions too when it comes to their health.

            Other than classes I spend much of my time with my family. I live at home with my parents and have two younger sisters and we're really close, they're my best friends. I am also engaged and we are hoping to have our wedding next fall, I'm super pumped and can’t wait! I also have four dogs; two Chihuahuas, one maltipoo and one Dachshund beagle mix. They are all super spoiled babies. Besides my love for animals I love to watch old movies. I almost made it through all the Cary Grant movies on Netflix over winter break!

Something unique about me but I think is weird, is that I am terrified, and purely petrified of sharks yet in awe them. I DVR every episode of shark week and if shown a picture of a shark I could probably identify it. For example did you know that there’s a species of shark that can swim up rivers?! It’s called the Bull Shark and the most aggressive type of shark there is and is responsible for more three times as many attacks on humans than Great Whites! A bull shark has even been caught 2,000 miles up the Mississippi River!

Anyways that's a little bit about me; I hope everyone has a great semester and good luck! :)