Flashlight for 18 & 20 year old female
PK Design Labs, PL-2. This is the only flashlight my wife will consistently carry. It takes available everywhere AAA cells, comes in black, silver and heat treated(think purplish rainbow). It can take Lithium rechargeable 10440 Cells for an amazing output too, or the Energizer Lithium primary with it's 20 year shelf life.
I ilike the Olight S1 Baton, S-Mini and S1r II, but my wife says even they are too "bulky" when she carries a "clutch" purse.
A lot of people have advised against a flashlight as a defensive tool, and often times when there is a convergence of opinion it can be wise to heed.
However, I am reminded of a lesson a friend of mine gave(he was an active duty Navy Seal): first, pay attention to your surroundings and never get yourself in a location that puts you in a compromising situation. Next, if you were unable to follow rule #1, then "use what you have" as a weapon. There is a reason that our ambassadors/Gov't employees "at risk" are encouraged to carry pens made of titanium, brass or stainless steel-put enough
Force behind it and a stab wound can incapacitate or at least slow down an attacker(again, assuming you can't run away and have no other means of self-defense). In this particular instance, a Surefire E2D Ultimate LED Defender could be useful-I think the suggestion of a self defense class with you and your nieces is an excellent idea. The main use of an E2D is to contact the assailants face(ideally the forehead or eyes ) with the strike bezel-the face and head have a strong vascular supply and bleeds profusely, most people respond by grabbing their face which gives you the opportunity to kick the groin or knee/ankle and take off running. I am against using a strobe-I have seen far too many videos and read too many accounts of it doing nothing more than to anger an assailant. Taking the time to discuss personal safety with your nieces, with raising the importance of situational awareness, not only shows them you care, it may present them with the ability to avoid a really bad situation....