As a survivor, hiring contractors to work in your home is so stressful. I'm constantly thinking of ways to ensure I'm safe if alone with them and whether or not to have weapons nearby in case of an attempted assault.

"Does he 'look' dangerous?" (I know it's irrelevant - Ted Bundy looked 'safe')

"I'm anti-gun, but should I get one just in case?"

"Let me run a background check..." (even though the majority of rapists never go through the system and the reports are unreliable)

This is so exhausting. The shitty thing is there is no way to 100% ensure your safety.

I wish there was a database of female contractors. That would make me feel much safer. Unfortunately in the majority of trades, women have been kept out of unions and industries due to sexism. They also face constant sexual harassment and assaults by their male peers and clients.

I'm probably going to buy a taser and pray I don't need to use it.