Topics covered in the book include:

• What attackers look for in their victims
• How to understand and act upon intuitive warning signals
• Securing your dorm, apartment or house from break-ins
• Ways to avoid stalking, date rape, dating violence
• Self-protection strategies that anyone can master
• Facts about date rape drugs, and other safe partying tips
• Ideas for campus activism to end violence against women

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• Program your cell phone and your family's cell phones for an ICE number. ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. This is the telephone number of someone you would want notified in case you are involved in an emergency situation. Law enforcement and other emergency personnel know to look on cell phones for an ICE number.

• When driving and you pull up behind another car at an intersection, leave enough room to see the rear tires of the car in front of you. This will give you enough room to maneuver around that car if necessary. If you pull up close and someone stops behind you, you will be stuck and there will not be enough maneuvering room in an emergency.

• Keep your car well maintained checking the oil, air in tires etc. Never let your gas tank go below 1/4 of the tank. You do not want to be stranded because you ran out of gas or had a car problem. If you do, keep your doors locked and use your cell phone to call for assistance, AAA, a friend, a gas station or the police.

• Safe shopping strategies: avoid carrying large amounts of cash; shop without a purse (put your keys, credit cards, money in a jacket or pocket); be alert in crowded spaces (pickpockets’ favorites are revolving doors, jammed aisles and elevators); return to your car often to check on it and reduce the amount of bags you are carrying; store packages in the trunk or hidden out of view (under a blanket or on the floor).

• For women living alone: use first initial rather than first name on mail box or phone book (leaving your gender in question); relinquish only your car key to garage or parking lot attendants, etc. and always retain custody of house key; require identification of repairmen, servicemen, etc. (offenders sometimes pose as phone repairmen, policemen, fire inspectors, etc.); keep doors and windows locked; keep shades or drapes drawn after dark.

• Fight Your Inner Woman. Experts say that women tend to be sympathetic - but don't be! History has shown that serial killers and other criminals often play on the sympathies of unsuspecting women to lure them into dangerous situations. If someone asks for the time, directions, or help in or around their car, be as courteous as possible but keep moving.

• Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.). A predator could be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side. As soon as you get into your car, lock the doors and leave.

• Breathe. Fear takes your breath away and your brain can’t think if you aren’t breathing deeply. Get a grip by pumping your hands open and closed to force your heart to send that adrenaline-filled oxygenated blood back to your extremities.

• Change It Up. Regularly change your walking routine. Plan out a few different routes that you can take and mark out "safe houses" in your mind at intervals along the way. In the event of attacks, you can stop at these shops or homes where you know you will be safe. Try to incorporate these houses every time you vary your route.