Here's a shameless plug -- if anyone is looking for a self defense class or seminar, check out
www.girlsfightback.com -- Erin Weed, the woman who runs GFB, is AWESOME, and I might add, an Alpha Phi. Oh wait, I already said that she was awesome.
Anyway, I do think that the confidence that comes from knowing how to defend yourself would be so valuable should you find yourself in such a terrible situation. I know that I need to learn a lot more about it.
I would give up my handbag (and those who know me know how much I ADORE my handbags) but I would try to run and/or fight if he tried to get me into a car. It is harder to hit a moving target. I do carry pepper spray, even though I know it can be used against me -- I feel safer with it, and I usually have it ready to go if I'm walking by myself or anything.