April 17, 2005 12:40 AM BST
Hi Jan,
Don't be flattered by this act of stalking. I was very dangerous and you did the right thing.
It was also good that you had some way to contact help. If you absolutely had to stop your car (he had ran into the back of your car) keep the windows up, doors locked and call for help.
You could use pepper spray and is good if you do not have other choices, however this would mean that you would be in direct contact with your potential attacker. Also any weapon that you have could also be used against you.
I have a black belt (sense) in two forms of martial arts and train my students this same thing. The stages of martial arts are prevention, avoidance, escape these are the most important. If forced into a corner and trained then stand and fight until you can escape or take control of your attacker.
Your feelings are exactly what any girl would have done, be afraid. Women are afraid most of the time in a male dominated world because they can be abused at any time. In reality this is not true all of the time but that does not change the reasons for felling afraid.
Taking on the persona of female we place ourselves in exactly the same position of any woman in society.
I hope that I have been able to help.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Chesnutt