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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 8, 1978)
page 18 daily nebraskan friday, September 8, 1978 Prevention device designed to render rapists helpless By Doreen Charles A new self-defense weapon is being called the best weapon women can use to guard against rape, according to the product's promoter, Geoff Gallup of Owl Aviation Inc. of Lincoln. The weapon, called Chemical Shield, is disguised as a key chain but in reality is a small bottle containing a chemical fluid. This fluid, known as CS gas, can be sprayed at would-be attackers, causing the eyes to burn and water, he said. It also causes the nose to burn and gives the attacker the sensation of not being able to breathe. Gallup said the effects of the fulid would render any one sprayed with the chemical helpless for twenty minutes. "There are no permanent effects," Gallup said. "Un like mace, the Shield works instantly, causing an attacker to be totally inoperable. Mace might just temporarily blind the attacker, causing him to be even more angry and violent." The shield is also more effective than mace because it can be sprayed anywhere on the body, Gallup said. The chemical exposes nerve endings, causing intense pain. It leaves no permanent scars, but it contains an ultra-violet dye which cannot be washed off for three days. "This is also good as evidence in court," Gallup said. The dye can be seen under a black light and can be used as evidence in identifying an attacher." Better than knife Gallup also said the weapon was better than a knife The Government Liaison Committee is the lobbying agency of your student government, ASUN. If you are inter ested in the politics of the real world, we are the people you should meet. Through research and persuasion, GLC attempts to influence legislators and legislation on the State and National levels. We often succeed we always enjoy ourselves while we try. Being all-voluntary, GLC accepts any thing that breathes. For the same reason, GLC members are some of the most interesting people on campus. Why not join us at our first meeting: SEPTEMBER 14, AT 7:00 PM IN THE UNION. or gun because of its disguised key chain appearance. Women would be more likely to have keys in their hands in case of attack, he noted, and wouldn't have to go fumbling through a purse. Another advantage of the Shield is that it would be less likely for an attacker to take it from a woman and use it against her, as has happened when women carry knives or guns, he said. "Women are very unlikely to use a lethal weapon against an attacker," Gallup said. "With this weapon women wouldn't be as hesitant, since they know the chemical doesn't cause permanent damage." Most rapes occur either in or around a parking lot, Gallup said. The most natural thing for a woman to have in her hands would be a set of keys. A woman could pick the proper moment to catch her attacker off guard, give him a squirt of the chemical and have time to escape, he said. The Chemical Shield comes in a small leather case and with a flip of the switch is ready for use. The bottle comes with a supply of twenty squirts and refills are free, if the user can document how the fluid was used. Misuse of the weapon could merit arrest, Gallup warned. Effective product Gina Washburn of the UNL Rape Crisis Center said she agrees that the product is effective. "It does have certain advantages," she said. The key chain was something that women would carry. The fluid could be sprayed from inside the container. The ultraviolet dye was good for identifying the assailant, and the chemical incapacitates for 20 to 30 minutes, unlike mace which only causes temporary blindness. "Still, a weapon is only as good as it's availability," she said. "It's not any good in the dresser, your purse or the glove compartment." Washburn also added women must know how to use it. Only one -fourth of the rapists carry a weapon, she said. "I would prefer that women learn to use their bodies and intellect rather than devices," Washburn said. Exceptions to this would be the blind, handicapped or elderly that could not get away easily, she said. Gallup and Washburn agree that the main problem of rape was the lack of awareness of women. "Most women think that it's never going to happen to them," Washburn said. "When it does, they're trauma tized" Gallup said, "One out of every five females will be attacked during their lifetime, according to statistics." Washburn said she advises women to" call the Rape Center about proper use of the chemical shield. "Women shouldn't become too dependent on something else," she said. "A woman must have the ability to respond effectively if attacked. Instead of being afraid that she might get attacked on the way home at night, a woman should plan what she would do." Washburn said she recommends self-defense lessons in order to develop self confidence, in herself and not depend too much on weapons. "A woman must decide what she will use," she said. Official reports union deficit amount By Kent Wolgamott The Nebraska unions lost $41,880 during the 1977-78 fiscal year, according to UNL comptroller James Knisely. Knisely said the figure was obtained from the univer sity accounting records. Nebraska Unions Director Allen Bennett had no com ment on the figures as he had not studied them. Knisely said a check of the unions at the end of April indicated a deficit of less than $2,000, but the deficit mounted in May and June when the regular academic year was over and "not much student traffic was available to them." He said the deficit was primarily due to increases in operating costs. Union sales revenue increased above $500,000 last year ANDY'S BARBER SHOP 2110S. 17th Andy Anderson, new owner formerly worked at the Straight Edge Appointments Available Mon-Sat, 8-5:30 474-5766 FREE PARKING across from Hinky Dinky to $1.5 million compared to $1 million in the 1976-77 fiscal year, Knisely said. Student fee support for the unions rose from $426,000 to $530,000, he said. Expenses rose $640,000, which when combined with increased revenues "shakes down real fast" to a deficit of about $40,000, Knisely said. Bennett reported at $38,696 deficit for the 76-77 fiscal year to the NU Board of Regents. Bennett said much of the 76-77 loss was due to the costs involved in opening the Nebraska East Union. An audit of union operations by Touche Ross, the university's accounting service began last week. The audit was approved by the board this summer after a request by the UNL administration. 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