On Thursday, August 9th, MK Protection Strategies received our fourth call from a mom looking for self defense training for her daughter leaving for college. This mom wanted her daughter to have skills to defend herself on campus and be equipped to defend herself should she encounter a threatening situation while traveling on HWY-41 between Milwaukee and Green Bay, which has been identified as a thoroughfare for those working in the sex trade. Check out the article written by Dale J. Schmidt, Dodge county, WI Sheriff about how to identify and be aware of sex trafficking and what his community is doing about it
This is happening everywhere, so I was compelled to write a Facebook post to prepare women everywhere with strategies and share information to get people thinking about ways to stay safe. The post was a hit and it has currently been shared well over 13,000 times and counting!
Considering the popularity of the information, I thought it would be great to write a blog post to get the information permanently on our web page as well. Below, please enjoy reading this valuable information and be sure to share with your loved ones.
Attention parents and college girls that travel Hwy I-41… We have received many calls from mothers wanting to equip their college girls with self defense for the below reason.
Per the FDL Reporter “the cooridor of cities along I-41-Milwaukee, Fond du lac, Oshkosh, Appleton and Green Bay have been identified as a major thoroughfare for those working in the sex trade.”
We advise the following info. when traveling alone anywhere:
*Do not stop at rest stops. Rather, stop at a busy McDonalds.
*Practice situational awareness while driving. Know if someone has been following you for a while. If you feel like your safety is at risk, call
911 while on the highway. (We recently heard a story about a girl who had bad guys following her for an hour and never thought to call 911.
She called her dad and he got state troopers involved.)
*If you get in a minor accident while driving on city streets and you feel like your safety is in jeopardy, you are not required to get out of your vehicle . If you are alone and no one else is around, call 911. You can even drive to a safer place and call 911.
*Be very cautious at gas stations and store parking lots. Lock all doors while pumping gas. Immediately lock doors when you get in the car, keep all windows up and quickly drive away. Notice if the same cars are following you on or off the highway. If someone gives you a bad feeling, trust it and get away as soon as possible and don’t be shy to ask familes or gas station/store employees to help you if needed. Do not feel obligated to answer any questions from people, do not engage in conversation as you should fulfill your purpose at the gas station/store and leave.
*Be aware that sex traffickers may sometimes use attractive young men to lure young women. Don’t fall for the tactic of someone asking you to help them or motioning to come closer to their vehicle to ask you a question etc.
*Be prepared that bad guys try innovative ways to make you think something is wrong with your car so that you get out of your vehicle, like putting money under your wipers, tying cans to your muffler, putting something in your wheel well. Do not get out at the moment and location where you notice it. Hopefully, a family will go past your car, you can try calling an employee to come out an look at your vehicle, or keep driving to a safe location. Remember, law enforcement and good people in general will always support you if you feel like your safety is at risk.
