An article from Wired describes a new coat being designed by a firm in Boston (with the help of an industrial design engineer from MIT) that is designed to give those who attack its female wearers a bit of a shock.

Powered by a 9-volt battery, the jacket is made of a conductive fabric (Aracon, made by DuPont) that lets the electricity flow over the wearer harmlessly while giving the assailant quite a jolt.