Father gives free tool to fight back

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Before sundown just a few streets away from South Congress, James Shaw is going door to door dropping something off he carries on his own key ring.

"They last for about 45 minutes if you spray them on someone," said Shaw. "It closes up their mucus membrane so they can't really breathe or see."

He is hoping to hand out 40 free cans of pepper spray in an hour and then head back to work at a software consulting company.

"I've always wanted to help women protect themselves. I hate that idea of people getting raped or attacked," said Shaw.

Thursday, he crossed paths with Tamara Valdez who was walking down the street. She wanted one for herself and a friend.

"I'm hoping they don't get to use it, but it's good to have," Shaw told her.

"Yeah, it is good to have. It's great! Thanks so much," said Valdez.

It is a labor of love Shaw started last summer while visiting college campuses with his daughter.

"I noticed there were thousands of girls away from home for the first time you know in strange surroundings," said Shaw.

KXAN News first met Shaw in January while he was handing out pepper spray in the neighborhood where Esme Barrera was attacked and killed.

Since then, his personal mission has grown into a non-profit called the Resist Attack Foundation . The group's  Facebook and Twitter pages have helped spread the word about their work. Sponsors and donations cover the free pepper spray now being handed out in a number of cities. With help from several volunteers, the group has given away 4,000 cans.

"We hope to give one away to every woman in America," said Shaw. "So we've got a long way to go."

The group does not just show up in an area after an attack. They pass out pepper spray at spots around town such as the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail. Resist Attack also offers educational courses to women such as self defense classes.