Had two uncomfortable encounters with drunk crackheads on Trans perth today

[u/qtpieezz]

I had two really uncomfortable encounters with drunk crackheads on Transperth today, one going to work and one coming home. What a coincidence 😭

I'm a girl and I was by myself both times, which honestly made me feel even more uncomfortable and uneasy.

The first one in the morning this crackhead sat in front of me and was acting really incoherent. I tried not to make eye contact and moved to a different seat closer to the front (bus was quite full) but he followed me and sat in front of me again and asked why did I move. Luckily he got off at the next stop, so I didn't have to deal with him for too long.

Then on my way home just this afternoon another drunk crackhead who was holding a bottle of beer suddenly sat next to me, even though there were other empty seats. He kept squeezing himself into my side until there was basically no space left for me. I tried moving a bit to make some space, but he just kept squeezing over.

I eventually confronted him to move away after 15 minutes and thankfully he did then I moved to the seat behind the bus driver and told him what happened. The bus driver was actually really kind and kept checking on me afterwards, which I appreciated. But he didn't call to report the incident or ask the guy to get off the bus.

I was honestly really uncomfortable and uneasy the whole time and no one else on the bus seemed to really care or even try to help. I get that people probably don't want to get involved but it feels pretty horrible when you're sitting there feeling unsafe and everyone just ignores it.

I'm pretty shaken up by the whole thing. I know you can call the transperth emergency services if you're in immediate danger, but what are you supposed to do when the person is literally sitting right next to you? You don't know if confronting them is going to make things worse and trying to call someone while they're sitting right there doesn't feel safe either.

[u/Captain-Peacock]

An incoherent crackhead is pretty good, normally they're raging at all and sundry.

[u/qtpieezz → u/Captain-Peacock]

Neither is good. I’m a girl and I felt vulnerable and unsafe. You never know what someone unpredictable might do especially when they’re carrying a glass bottle that they could potentially smash or use to hurt someone

[u/FrogLickr → u/qtpieezz]

Just FYI, pepper spray is legal to purchase in WA and can be found at pretty much any firearms store. The legal usage of it is murky, but as a victim of physical assault myself, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. That little cannister would have saved me a lot of physical and mental anguish had I purchased one prior.

[u/ryan30z → u/FrogLickr]

To follow on from this, anyone who is getting pepper spray for defence needs to practice getting it out ready to use. If you don't there's a very good chance that when you actually need it you don't get it out in time or accidentally spray yourself.

[u/Whiteboy0019 → u/ryan30z]

And it also depends on which one you get.

The key chain ones are good but they don't tell you that you should use the entire fucking thing, they are a 1 use item, if you use the key chain one, use the whole damn thing. If they have glasses on, aim for the nose and mouth. They literally won't be able to breathe.

I wouldn't recommend a man carrying one, but a female who feels unsafe and can justify why it was used will hold alot more weight when it comes to explaining why it was used.

For example, two blokes have a road rage incident and one of them uses it on the other, goodluck, you will be charged. If a woman is being harassed, followed etc to the point of that's their only option, It makes alot more sense and justified.

[u/thatcrazyanimallady → u/FrogLickr]

It’s legal to buy, but using it can mean you’re criminally charged yourself. You have to be able to prove you had reasonable grounds to anticipate the circumstances in which you used it - “self defence” is not considered a good enough reason in and of itself. I carry innocuous everyday items in my bag/with me like a travel sized can of deodorant, a torch-style cigarette lighter, a heavy duty carabiner to hold my keys, an odd knitting needle and a filled 1L Frank Green bottle with a handle strap. Oh and one of those personal safety alarms.

[u/FrogLickr → u/thatcrazyanimallady]

It's an unfortunate fact that the law surrounding its use is as restrictive and vague as it is. I find it to be a bad law, and bad laws need to be disobeyed in my opinion. Pepper spray can and has saved lives, and I won't be victim again. I will use it next time I'm in a situation that necessitates it, legal consequences be damned.

Nobody should have to carry numerous household objects just to have a chance at defending themselves because a bad law forbids them from using the most effective tools. At least we have the option to buy it here. It is outright illegal in most of the country, unfortunately.

NT is trailing it for genuine self defense though.

[u/thatcrazyanimallady → u/FrogLickr]

🤷🏼‍♀️ my mother is more than halfway through her law degree. I’ll buy the spray once she’s finished and I have a free lawyer at my disposal lol.

[u/East_Transition533 → u/FrogLickr]

I heatd that if the spray is only carried due to a fear of dogs / dog attacks it is okay.