Please help: best advice for a 16 year old girl in CA to-from school

Our high school aged daughter has a stalker. She began noticing him yesterday, walking home from high school. Today, he followed her in such an obvious and creepy manner that 3 complete strangers pulled over to warn her that he was following her. He made 3 u-turns to stalk her today.

We are in California, and this is happening on her walk home from school. Police are now aware, but we also want to ensure her safety when our work won’t allow us to escort her home from school

Here are our Ca problems:
- The school prohibits pepper spray. (I am going to push for her to be allowed to store pepper spray in the office because this creep is following her).

- Any weapon options that a 16 year old can have in CA? (ccw age is 21)

- recommendations on personal alarms or sound devices?

We are enrolling her in “model mugging”, now that we understand the dangers. I am so upset with myself we didn’t work on personal safety sooner because she’s so tiny - and she was so unaware (wearing headphones, didn’t recognize the danger which was so onvious and concerning that strangers were interfering, she didn’t understand to use her phone, was too afraid to take photo, etc)

Thank you.

Submitted 2026-08-29T01:24:05Z by glorificent https://ift.tt/VzUhiTW

i live in canada , anything i do in self defence will put me in jail.

can’t have a m@c3, no f1r3arm5, if someone enters my home and i knock them out i’ll go to jail .

do i just like surrender my life

Submitted 2026-08-28T06:22:43Z by Fit_Economist_9936 https://ift.tt/sw4dYES

Are daggers any good for self defense?

The reason I like the idea of having one for self defense is that since the blade is longer, it means I have more reach so I don’t have to get as close to my attacker.

Submitted 2026-08-27T16:03:00Z by Fabulous-Introvert https://ift.tt/rTEWhd5

Strong man self defense tips

I am a very strong 240 lbs powerlifter (405/600/700 for anyone this means anything to).

I had a confrontation where I accidentally turned off a bathroom light on a drunk guy (for a single second before turning it back on). The man cornered me before his buddies got involved and pulled him away. It had me thinking - As an untrained strong man, what would be the best way for me to defend myself / my family if running weren't an option?

I feel like these "Looking for a fight" types generally will outclass me by a large margin as a striker and my mass would make me tire quickly. I was thinking of tackling/wrestling/bear hugging?

Submitted 2026-08-26T20:04:32Z by MuffinFit https://ift.tt/ov8FwmI

Small vulnerable woman in a sketchy living situation

I am a small, young woman, whom to everyone I come across looks like I'm about 13 apparently. I live in a very crime filled apartment complex. There is a lot of drug activity, some violence, attempted break-ins, theft, even sexual assaults. I am looking for good ways to protect myself, and definitely to deter others, both while inside my apartment and out and about in the complex. I currently need some physical therapy etc. so cannot take self defense classes, though I do carry pepper spray and a small knife.

Submitted 2026-08-26T17:08:31Z by OwnIndependence1852 https://ift.tt/atz0hnq

Bedroom door lock- any recommendations?

Live with roommates who disregard basic safety and don’t give af to lock the front or backyard door, even after constantly telling them to do so. One of the roommates (35M) has tons (over 40) firearms just sprawled all about the living room unlocked with the curtains wide open so anyone outside can see them. Can’t move out due to not being financially stable yet.

My bf does have firearms secured in our bedroom which does make me feel safe in a way but not really, but I’m always having to get up multiple times at night just to lock the front and backyard sliding door due to my roommate (22F) being dumb as rocks. I can’t even go into the house by myself anymore because they’re never locked and I have to wait for my bf to get home before we go inside. An unlocked door was an invitation to come in by the night stalker. I have trauma from being assaulted and this living situation isn’t great for my well being.

The town we live in has a 60% higher than national average for crime, break ins especially, and this stresses me out so much(we live in SoCal). The doors to the home we are renting are very flimsy/weak and all we have for our bedroom door is a keyed lever handle and it’s not enough for my peace of mind. I am not on the lease but my bf is, yet the other roommates won’t bother to listen to our concerns over this.

I(29F) am 5’2” 145 lbs and I’m physically disabled so I can’t even do anything if someone does break in.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a door block to put inside of our bedroom? Changing the door to be a more durable (?) one isn’t allowed on the lease.

Submitted 2026-08-26T12:35:18Z by wtfRichard1 https://ift.tt/ivopl8W

What's better for self defence?: Boxing or MMA.

I'm 22 and lean, trying to gain some weight and wanting to learn to protect myself. What would be the better path to follow.

TIA

Submitted 2026-08-26T04:20:53Z by Leaked_Gore https://ift.tt/BK8Dzcu