Non Lethal Self Defense Products Combat New Orleans Crime Rate

The Metropolitan Center for Women and Children, located in Jefferson, Louisiana, was founded in 1986. Its mission is to provide various services to survivors of rape, stalking, and other domestic crimes. The Metro staff and volunteers, who are trained in crisis intervention and can offer counseling services, emotional support, and assist in legal matters.

In the wake of Katrina women have been plagued with a rash of personal violence. In a recently published study, the Violence Policy Center, located in Washington, DC, placed New Orleans third from the top in the rate of women murdered by men. Women are often victims of murder, sexual assault and domestic violence.

According to Susan Eaton, co-owner of Women On Guard, “New Orleans has had days where 3 or more murders occur in their streets. Actually, pretrial motions are expected to start for Louis Lamonica. He is a former pastor and one of seven members of the Hosanna Church who face rape charges.”

Martha Martinez, the other half of Women On Guard, said, “We want to spread the word to women, that they can purchase non-lethal self defense products without having to walk into a gun shop. We also want to point out that we chose non-lethal products because sometimes weapons are turned against the victims that carry them. It is better to be sprayed with pepper spray, stunned with a stun gun, or Tasered with a Taser than to be killed by your own gun.”