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Fender Bender Gets Woman Body-Slammed to Ground in Attleboro

Empowered to Project – Awareness, Action, and Your Right to Safety

by Kerrie Ann Auclair

In a world where danger can strike unexpectedly, according to a recent video from CBS News (https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/video/video-shows-woman-body-slammed-in-apparent-road-rage-incident-in-attleboro/), a woman was violently ripped from her car by a much larger assailant. This incident serves as a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities women face. Watching the footage, it’s hard not to be struck by how quickly and brutally the attack unfolded. For many, the natural response is fear and outrage. However, instead of focusing on the failures of bystanders or assigning blame without knowing all the details, let’s use this as a teachable moment about personal safety, situational awareness, and self-defense.

SCREEN CAPTURE  JUST BEFORE WOMAN TORN FROM CAR AND BODY-SLAMMED TO GROUND FROM WBZ CBS NEWS BOSTON  – CLICK LINK ABOVE TO VIEW NEWS REPORT AND HOSPITALIZATION

While the exact circumstances surrounding this case may evolve as new details emerge, the key takeaway is that situations like this highlight the importance of understanding how to protect yourself and avoid unnecessary risks. Whether the fault lies with one party or another, this tragedy might have been preventable with better situational awareness and self-defense training. Let’s explore some steps women can take to reduce vulnerabilities and prepare for unexpected challenges.

Situational Awareness: Your First Line of Defense

Situational awareness is the foundation of personal safety. It’s about being present, aware of your surroundings, and recognizing potential threats before they escalate. The video shows how quickly an ordinary moment can become life-threatening. As an NRA, USCCA, and SEBRE Peper Spray Instructor, I always tell my students that in most situations, they should remain in their car and call 911. If the situation becomes worse than the accident itself, and your vehicle is still operational, drive away while informing 911 that you had to flee because you were in fear for your life.

But what if fleeing isn’t an option? Thinking through these scenarios and seeing videos like what happened to this woman serves as a reminder to prepare for the “what ifs” and how to handle them. Add to the mix that you now have children in the car—this makes situational awareness even more critical. As women, we must develop heightened awareness, especially in public spaces. Simple practices like parking in well-lit areas, keeping your doors locked, and scanning your surroundings for anything unusual can make a significant difference.

However, awareness isn’t enough. We need tools, training, and the knowledge to back it up.

Pepper Spray: A Non-Lethal Tool with Powerful Impact

Pepper spray is one of the most accessible self-defense tools available. It’s small, affordable, and easy to carry. But owning pepper spray isn’t enough; you must know how to use it effectively. In a high-stress situation, fine motor skills deteriorate, which is why regular training with your chosen self-defense tool is crucial.

Carrying pepper spray should become second nature. Know where it is at all times.

Practice drawing it quickly. Understand the effective range of your spray and how to deploy it under pressure. A small, prepared woman with pepper spray can deter a much larger attacker if she’s confident using it. Allowing her the opportunity to escape and, if that is now an option, go to another defense tool.

The Importance of Training: Lethal and Non-Lethal Options

Whether you choose a non-lethal option like pepper spray or a lethal option like a firearm, training is the key to effective self-defense. It’s not enough to own a tool; you must know how to use it confidently and correctly.

Classes like NRA “Refuse to Be a Victim” or USCCA “Why Have a Personal Protection Plan” can provide invaluable insights into personal safety and self-defense. These classes teach practical strategies to avoid dangerous situations and empower women with the tools and techniques needed to protect themselves. Training enhances skills and builds the mental preparedness necessary to face potential threats.

For those considering firearms, obtaining your license to carry is a critical step. Each state has specific laws, and understanding those laws is essential to being responsible for gun ownership. For instance, does your state have a stand-your-ground law, or does it require a duty to retreat? Knowing the law is just as important as knowing how to use your tools. As Spider-Man says, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Think about how you would react if you were in that woman’s situation. Would you freeze? Would you know what to do? Self-defense isn’t just about the physical tools you carry; it’s about mindset. It’s about preparing yourself mentally for the possibility that, at any moment, you may need to defend yourself or your loved ones. I refuse to be a victim. This is why I train with my firearm and pepper spray, continually learning how to use tools that protect me and those I love.

Turning Fear into Empowerment

Watching a video like this can be deeply unsettling. It’s a stark reminder that violence can happen to anyone, anywhere. But instead of letting fear take hold, use it as a catalyst for empowerment. Take a self-defense class. Learn about   situational awareness. Practice with your chosen self-defense tools.

We don’t know what we’ll face in life, but we can prepare—and preparation gives us power.

Instead of focusing on others’ actions or inactions now, let’s use this situation to help others learn. The key is to focus on what we can control—our preparedness, our training, and our ability to protect ourselves and our families.

This is also why protecting our civil rights, especially our Second Amendment rights is crucial. Many states are making accessing your right to defend yourself increasingly difficult. The right to keep and bear arms should not be infringed because it is our right and my duty as a mom to protect myself and my family. To those who want to take that right away from us—from me—I beg you: DON’T!