The Illinois State Police has a Web page [1] with advice for women to defend themselves from a rapist. Tamara finds the advice wanting [2]:

Instead of a handy, portable weapon that requires no great amount of strength to operate, we are instead advised to attempt to take on a 250lb rapist with a teasing brush or a handful of keys. Brilliant plan, that. "Well, sir, we couldn't revive her, but her assailant should be easy to spot in a lineup. Judging by what she had clenched in her hand in her last moments, his hair should look fantastic."

The worst part, the part that makes me want to scream and throw things at the monitor, is when they drag out the old primate appeasement behavior: "It may sound disgusting, but putting your fingers into you throat and making yourself vomit usually gets results." No. No way. Why should I worry about getting vomit stains out of my clothes when I have the means available to make my attacker worry about getting blood stains out of his? Sorry, ISP, but I'm sticking with the gun.

One of Tam's commentors makes the point that the Illinois State Police advice is about one step removed from "relax and enjoy it."

Self defense. It's a human right [3].

Aunt B. isn't crazy about the Illinois State Police advice, either [4].