The violent death of 17-year-old Lisa from Abcoude has shocked the whole of the Netherlands and beyond. The girl was cycling home in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday after an evening out in Amsterdam when she was attacked and murdered. Lisa managed to call the emergency services when she noticed she was being followed, but all help came too late.
This tragic event confronts us once again with a harsh reality: despite all progress, we still live in a world where innocent people can become victims of violence.
When safety suddenly disappears
A 22-year-old man who was in the Netherlands illegally and living in an asylum seekers’ centre was arrested as a suspect in the murder. He is also suspected of two other sexual offences in Amsterdam, both in the weeks before Lisa’s death.
A normal situation suddenly turned. Lisa did what thousands of young people do every week: going out with friends and then cycling home safely, but her evening ended in a tragedy that affects the whole of the Netherlands.
Societal impact
The murder led to the viral hashtag #rechtopdenacht, with women claiming their right to feel safe, regardless of the time. Dutch actress Nienke ‘s Gravemade expressed the feelings of many: “I demand that 17-year-old girls come home safely”.
Since Lisa’s death, self-defence products in the Netherlands have been sold out en masse. People are suddenly taking their own safety much more seriously and looking for solutions.
Realistic self-protection
The question that many are now asking is logical: what can we do to protect ourselves better? The answer is more nuanced than it appears at first sight.
Situational awareness comes first
The most important self-defence tool is your own alertness. Recognise potential dangers, trust your intuition and choose safe routes:
- Plan your routes in advance
- Let others know where you are
- Stay alert to your surroundings
- Always have a charged phone with you
Know legal limitations
Pepper spray, tasers and other ‘classic’ self-defence tools are strictly prohibited. Nevertheless, there are legal alternatives that can be effective in emergency situations.
Legal options for self-protection
Fortunately, there are indeed legal means available for those who want to protect themselves better. Tactical torches can blind attackers, personal alarms draw attention and even everyday objects can come in handy in emergency situations.
Practical tools
- Tactical torches: Legal, effective for blinding and sturdy enough as an emergency weapon
- Personal alarms: Immediately draw attention and can deter attackers
- Kubotans: Small keychains that can target pressure points
- Everyday objects: Keys, pens and umbrellas can be unexpectedly effective
The most important thing is that you know how to use these tools. A torch in your bag won’t help if you can’t reach it in a panic.
Training and preparation
Even the best tool is worthless without the right mental preparation. Self-defence courses teach not only techniques, but also how to react in stressful situations.
I often think of the words of security experts: it’s not about the strongest weapon, but about the best preparation. Those who know how to react have a better chance of emerging safely from a threatening situation.
From theory to practice
For those who want to take personal safety seriously, it is essential to look beyond the basic principles. Which tools are exactly legal? How do you use them effectively? And what are the legal consequences if you have to deploy them?
These questions deserve thorough answers, based on current legislation and practical experience. Fortunately, comprehensive guides exist that cover all aspects of legal self-defence, from tactical torches to the legal aspects of proportionate defence.
Discover all legal self-defence tools you can use in Belgium and the Netherlands