Important Fact: Physical resistance and fighting back is often your best choice. Research has shown that women who physically resisted and defended themselves did NOT increase their danger, but reduced the odds of completed rape and physical injury. The subjects of this research included many who fought back without any specialized training. Self-defense tools such as pepper spray can greatly increase the chance of resisting an assault.  The effects of pepper spray have been studied and tested – it will debilitate an attacker for 30-45 minutes without lasting or long-term effects.

Prevention Packages include the Pepperface Edition Palm Defender. The deep purple defense spray is both an awareness symbol for violence against women and effective prevention against assault. For each model, Pepperface donates funds to the National Center on Domestic & Sexual Violence and to each of the local participating partners.

Innovations to the Pepperface™ Edition Palm Defender® create an advantage for the would-be victim:  The device is nearly impossible to spray incorrectly or in the wrong direction.  The aerospace aluminum device is gripped tightly in the hand and can be used as a striking tool or to make a stronger fist when striking in defense.  The pepper spray can be placed on a key ring which converts to a key flail in the time of an attack.  Replaceable inserts for the device are available in both Heat (pepper spray) and Test (water-based for practice).  

To learn more about prevention, personal safety, or to ask a question regarding pepper spray as a self-defense instrument, please email prevention@projectpurplechicago.com.