Methods and Tools for Decreasing Vulnerability to Physical and Sexual Assault Among People with Visual Impairments

For many decades, research studies have consistently shown that people who are visually impaired (that is, those who are blind or have low vision) are at substantially higher risk of nonfatal violent crimes than are their non-disabled peers (David et al., 1988; Gish, 1977; Pava, 1994). The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) implemented by the U.S. Department of Justice specifically defines these nonfatal violent crimes as including “rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault” (Harrell, 2021, p. 3). Four decades ago, Welbourne et al. (1983) reported that half of all women who were congenitally blind and participated in their study had experienced at least one incident (and often, more than one incident) of forced sexual contact. Two decades ago, it was found that three out of every four people with visual impairments have been physically assaulted in their lifetimes—a figure that was found to be 15 times greater than the figure for physical assaults among the general population (Collinsworth, 2001). Data pertaining to violent crimes against people with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired, from the most recent years are consistent with these data from the past several decades. The most recent National Crime Victimization Survey report showed that the rate of nonfatal violent crimes against people with visual impairments in the U.S. was nearly four times the rate for persons without disabilities (Harrell, 2021). Specifically, the rate of nonfatal violent crimes against people with visual impairments who were aged 12 and over was 47.6 per 1,000, compared to 12.4 per 1,000 among people without disabilities who were aged 12 and over (Harrell, 2021). Also, notably, of all the disability types measured by the National Crime Victimization Survey, those who identified as visually impaired had the second highest rate of nonfatal violent crimes, with cognitive disabilities being the only disability group that ranked higher (Harrell, 2021). Thus, nonfatal violent crimes, including “rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault” (Harrell, 2021, p. 3), against people who are visually impaired is a long-standing problem in dire need of attention.Pava (1994) explained several reasons for the greater incidence of physical and sexual assault against people who are visually impaired, and these reasons are still highly relevant today.Therefore, many people with visual impairments perceive themselves to be more vulnerable and at risk for physical attacks (Pava et al., 1991). These perceptions are rooted in a long history of people who are visually impaired not having adequate methods with which to protect themselves from a significantly high incidence of physical and sexual assault.This article shares methods that people with visual impairments can use to decrease their vulnerability to violent crimes. We include a brief discussion about strategies that are not recommended, and this is followed by an explanation of the environments in which these questionable strategies are intended to be implemented along with our rationale regarding their inappropriateness. We follow with our considerations regarding guide dogs, as related to the topic of personal safety. These discussions are followed by our recommendations for strategies that are low cost and require little to no training on the part of the person who is visually impaired.Commonly considered strategies for self-defense include the use of martial arts, spray irritants, and the long cane. We do not recommend these approaches for the reasons detailed below.A frequently recommended strategy for personal safety among people who are visually impaired is to become an expert in a martial art. We do not recommend that approach for several reasons. First, it is difficult to find martial arts trainers who are skilled in adapting techniques for use by individuals who are totally blind. Second, not all individuals who are blind possess the physical capability of mastering the techniques. Third, training in such self-defense strategies requires a considerable commitment of time for the initial training and subsequent practice to be proficient in the use of the strategies. These same disadvantages apply to any martial art that is specially designed for use by individuals who are blind.The use of pepper spray has unique disadvantages as a self-defense tool for people who are blind because they likely cannot detect where the pepper spray lands after it is discharged. The lack of control over where the spray hits is a strong disadvantage.We do not include the use of the long cane for protection. We realize that the use of the long cane as a weapon may be a seemingly convenient self-defense technique, but this scenario presents numerous hazards and risks. For example, a person who chooses to use their cane to defend themselves can be easily disarmed of the long cane by their attacker and could be left with no mobility tool with which to travel in their environment.We believe that there are other, more effective strategies to consider as primary methods of self-defense against a perpetrator. These methods and tools are outlined in this article. We emphasize that there is no way to guarantee complete safety for anyone using the tools or strategies that are described here. Therefore, we emphasize that the information presented in this article is designed to reduce vulnerability, not to guarantee safety.An additional point to be made here is that the recommendations are designed for use by people who are blind and who are traveling independently in the environment. The recommendations are not designed to protect individuals who are vulnerable to attack by family members or acquaintances of the family. These are dangers that unfortunately exist and require a completely separate discussion, apart from the information presented in this article.To begin, we believe that the most effective and most easily implemented strategy is the use of a trained guide dog. We understand that guide dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. We also understand from personal experience and existing research that individuals who belong to the sighted community view dogs as protective (American Kennel Club, 2021).We realize that this strategy, unlike those that follow, requires a substantial investment of time and effort on the part of the person who is visually impaired to acquire and maintain a guide dog. However, there is no special training required on the part of the guide dog or the person who is visually impaired in terms of the suggested personal safety benefit of guide dogs. It is simply the presence of a guide dog that likely makes a difference in terms of personal safety.Additionally, we present a novel concept that dogs of particular colors or breeds may decrease the likelihood of assault, merely based on the public’s perception of the particular dogs’ aggression. We share this novel concept as a result of the personal experience of one of the authors, who has used three dogs, two of one color and one of another. He has noted that the colors of the dogs’ coats have made a difference in the perception of the sighted public.In general, the colors of dogs may affect the perception of the aggression of the dogs, regardless of the breed. There is some scientific support for the concept that the color may cause some members of the public to view the dog as more or less dangerous. In a 2018 study conducted by Stanley Coren on behalf of the American Kennel Club, people rated photographs of Labrador Retrievers that differed only in color. The result showed that dogs with darker coats were perceived as more aggressive (Coren, 2018).Breed may also have an impact on the perception of a dog as a protector. A German shepherd, for example, is often seen as the most protective breed.(American Kennel Club, 2021). German Shepherds are often bred to be working dogs by the military and law enforcement, which are two highly protective career paths. Therefore, the general public may regard German Shepherd guide dogs as more protective of their owners.Based on these factors, individuals who are blind and who desire to travel using a guide dog may want to consider the breed and color of the dog. We make these suggestions as a novel concept for those who may be considering a guide dog for the first time. We also recognize that guide dog schools may not adhere to this novel suggestion about the consideration of guide dog color and/or breed in terms of protection from physical harm by strangers.The following recommendations are based on four requirements for inclusion. First, the tool must be accessible to people who are visually impaired to be recommended for use. Second, the tool must be inexpensive to be recommended for use. Third, the tool must be easily implemented without extensive training to be recommended for use. Last, the tool, of course, must be considered to be effective in reducing the individual’s vulnerability to sexual assault to be recommended for use. We have compiled a list of recommendations and tools that may be used to reduce the vulnerability of people who are blind to physical and sexual assault. Table summarizes the tools that are discussed in detail in the paragraphs that follow (Table).The Sting Ring is a small device that is carried in the palm of the hand. The user positions it so that a finger protrudes through the ring and the base of the device is held in the palm of the hand. The device has an on/off switch that can easily be manipulated by the thumb. The ring portion of the device produces an electrical charge. a bright light, and a loud sound.It is a “taser-like” device that, when triggered, emits a strong electrical charge while making a loud sound that results from the discharge of electricity. It is designed to be pressed against a portion of the body of an attacker while the palm of the hand is squeezed. That action causes the device to emit an electrical charge while producing a loud sound. The electrical charge produces a strong contraction of the muscles of the body in the location where the device is in contact. It is recommended that the electrical charge be induced for no longer than five seconds. The resulting contractions of the muscle as well as the pain are designed to cause an attacker to relent.The device has a recharging plug that can be inserted into a wall socket to renew the electrical charge of the device’s battery. The reader should be aware that “taser-like” devices, such as the Sting Ring, require the owner to hold a Firearms Owner Identification permit (FOID card) in some states. We believe that this small, relatively inexpensive device can be used with great effectiveness by a person who is blind. Sight is not required for its use. One need only be in physical contact with the recipient of the painful electrical charge. A person who is blind and who is being attacked will undoubtedly be in physical contact with their attacker, making the use of the device easily manageable. A second advantage of the Sting Ring is that it cannot easily be taken from the user because it is held in the palm of the hand with a finger protruding through the ring portion. A third advantage is that it cannot be easily used against the defender. If the person using this device for self-defense does not put pressure on it by squeezing the palm, it will not “fire off”. A fourth advantage of the device is that the sound that it makes is alarming. We believe that merely pointing it at a potential attacker and causing it to fire off without actually touching the attacker would do much to discourage a perpetrator.The sound that the device makes and the spewing of the light of the electric charge may, in our estimation, discourage some people with visual impairments from using it. That same illusion of deadliness that discourages some people from using it may also have the same effect on potential attackers.The Sting Ring is found on the Home Security Superstore for the price of $18.95. The website where the Sting Ring can be found for purchase is available at https://www.thehomesecuritysuperstore.com/products/streetwise-sting-ring-knuckle-stun-gun-black-18m.For additional information about the Sting Ring, the reader is encouraged to view a YouTube video review of this device, located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmBB8tb8fqU. This particular video review describes the device in detail and includes a demonstration of the device being used to transmit its high voltage surge into the air, away from any person. It is a short video, 2 minutes and 25 seconds in length, that can answer many questions that readers may have about this device. Figures 1, 2, and 3 each show a picture of the Streetwise Sting Ring.The Cat Ear Spike Ring consists of a metal ring with two sharp spikes protruding from it. The ring can be worn on any of the fingers with the spikes pointing outward.There are several advantages of the Cat Ear Spike Defense Ring. It is inexpensive, does not require any kind of setup or charging, and is easy to conceal. This device is usable with and without vision. To our knowledge, its use is not forbidden by any legislation. It would be difficult for the attacker to take the ring away from the user or to use it against the person being attacked. The use of this device may be more acceptable by some people when compared with the previously mentioned Sting Ring. We note that there are also other similar defense rings available, such as the Defender Ring and other models. We have presented the Cat Ear Spike Defense Ring in particular because of its design elements of having two distinct, large spikes and a smooth side of the ring. This smooth side of the ring is distinct and has no spikes or tactile marks of any kind to allow the person wearing the ring to have the ring securely and properly worn when feeling the ring by touch.The use of the ring is obvious. Should a person be physically attacked, they would likely be in physical contact with the attacker. In that position, the person being attacked could administer a blow to any portion of the attacker’s body, hurting or puncturing the attacker’s skin with the sharp portion of the ring.There are certain disadvantages in the use of the Cat Ear Spike Defense Ring. The person defending themselves using this device must strike uncovered portions of the attacker’s body. The sharp portion of the ring may not penetrate thick clothing, especially if the person being attacked does not have considerable strength in their arms as they administer the blow or blows. The recommended approach is to strike the attacker’s face, but the person being attacked, not possessing sight, may have difficulty reaching the face of the attacker. Also, it might be the case that the attacker’s face is not readily accessible to the person being attacked.The Cat Ear Spike Defense Ring is found on various sites for various prices, ranging in cost from approximately $5 to approximately $20. A Google search using the terms “Cat Ear Spike Defense Ring” results in several sources from which this self-defense tool can be purchased. Figures 4 and 5 each show a picture of the Cat Ear Spike Defense Ring.There are numerous personal keychain alarms that can be purchased. Generally, these are inexpensive. Additionally, personal keychain alarms are easily carried and concealed, and they are usable with and without vision. There are no complex actions that must be taken to operate them; thus, the use of personal keychain alarms is easily learned without any required setup. Another advantage is that personal keychain alarms cannot be used against the person being attacked. The major disadvantage is that the alarm may be ignored by others, given the prevalence of car alarms, which are frequently heard in some environments.Personal keychain alarms are available on Amazon, ranging in price from $15 to $30 for a six-pack of multiple keychain alarms. Figures 6, 7, and 8 show pictures of an assortment of personal keychain alarms.The Care Go Personal Alarm is in the shape of a small cylinder, approximately three inches in length and approximately the diameter of a dime. The top third of the device is a triggering mechanism that the user can rotate and pull to engage the alarm. At the top of the device, a small connection allows it to be attached to a keychain. That portion of the device can be removed to gain access to the charging port. The device is linked to the Care Go App, which the owner of the device and their contacts of choice must download. The owner is required to pair the device with the Care Go App that is present on their phone. The instructions for this are when the owner the for the first time. The owner should or family members to the Care Go App and themselves as The device location using the the can the location of the device at all The device in two If the owner is through an and they can the device to the This action a to the as the the on their and the Care Go App, they can the location of the the the are to the location of the The being can the owner the The can also the of the owner the In this the are aware that their one and can out to and/or easily their the person who is blind they are in they can an to their This can be by triggering the device by the causing it to The emit a loud sound that their to the The can the which will with the location of the person. The can the owner if If the owner the triggering mechanism and it the and are The can still to view the location and on if they device has several It is small and easy to This device and the Care Go App are accessible to people with visual The device has a and an Thus, can the person feeling or being in and can take the to the the device to be only a the major advantage is that it is to than a an because it requires only one small of the fingers to Care Go Personal Alarm is found on for approximately is a picture of the Care Go Personal Alarm side by side a of a with the of the Care Go Alarm can be found on many types of Thus, one major advantage is that there is no additional cost to this on a that The capability on and is accessible to people with visual on one to after the as the five times in a the five times an one to the by the phone. 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However, these tools and strategies are recommended to people who are visually impaired their

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