It may seem rather strange a man writing about ways for a woman, especially one living alone, to protect herself against attack, but if you really stop and think about it, who's most likely to attack a woman...
a man.
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of reaction and in this particular situation I can not agree more.
It's good for a woman to know self defense, but it's better if she never has to use it.
Look at this way for a moment.
The new craze in fighting is the MMA where the fighting matches are as similar to the Roman gladiators as the promoters can make them, and believe me, this ain't WWF.
It's the real McCoy.
Looking at the credentials of these fighters they are Black Belts in nearly every form of martial arts there are and yet 95% of the time both fighters end up on the canvas wrestling around.
I'm not being chauvinists when I sat a 100 lb.
woman is no match for a 225 lb.
man in a wrestling match.
Let's look at some suggestions of how to stay out of bad situations, at least the best way, nothing is 100% with the crazies running around out there, and to stay safe.
In general, if you see a suspicious character approaching you, change your route and be prepared to run if he follows.
Don't wear expensive looking jewelry, even if it's costume the idiot doesn't know that, when walking alone.
Perhaps the most surprising method is to look confident, walk with a definite stride not a cowardly meek shuffle.
Use public transportation when possible, as there are normally safety in numbers.
Wait in a public place, like a coffee shop until the bus or taxi arrives.
When riding a train or bus after hours, sit in the car with the most people or directly behind the bus driver, and don't sit next to the window as you could be blocked from being able to get to the aisle and run.
Walkers and joggers should be specially aware of their surroundings at all times.
Vary your route and times of exercise if possible.
Don't wear a walkman while jogging because you can't hear what's going on around you.
You can hear something in the distance far sooner than you can see it.
Never assume that just because the area has been safe that it will continue to be.
A fashionable and safe neighborhood begins to decline with the first crime, don't you be the first.
Lastly, if shadowed by a car, immediately dart across the street and run back the way you came.
There are many more precautions which you can take, but let these be the basic foundation on which to build your arsenal.