Don't Be a Victim

Approximately 99 percent of us will be a victim of a violent crime, or know someone who is a victim. Women tend to be easier targets.

The three reasons women are easy targets for random acts of violence are:

Lack of awareness (you must know where you are and what's going on around you); body language (keep your head up, swing your arms, stand straight up); wrong place, wrong time (don't walk alone in an alley, or drive in a bad neighborhood at night).

Getting Into Your Car

Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook or making a list). Don't do this. The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for that person to get in the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. As soon as you get into your car lock your doors and leave. When getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

Be aware. Look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. Check under the car as well.

If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Perpetrators often attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the victims are attempting to get into their cars.

Look at the cars parked on either side of your vehicle. If a man is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. Be safe, not sorry.

Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

If Your Car Breaks Down

Try to avoid having your car break down--by always keeping your car in good working order, keep up with regular maintenance and oil changes. However, if your car does break down:

Lock your doors
Keep a blanket, and a pair of warm clothes and boots, and a flashlight in your car always for emergencies. Have water available, too.
Have a cell phone to call for help

If you don't have a cell phone and it's noon on a business day, you may want to put your hazards on and walk to safety; if it's 2 a.m., put on your warm clothes and walk to a lighted area. You are a perfect target if you are sitting in your broken down car. Predators search the highways for easy targets like you. If it is warm out, dress comfortably, but not provocatively; if you're on a desolate road, walk away from the car (in your warm clothes) and go to some bushes, or some area away from your vehicle. It will be cold, and uncomfortable, but you do not want to stay in your car. Chances are there are no psychic boogie men waiting in the bushes who knew you were going to break down.

Walking Alone in the Dark

If you are walking alone in the dark--which you should not be--and someone is following/chasing you, you should:

Scream "fire," not "help." People may hesitate to get involved when people yell "help," but "fire" draws attention.
Run!
Find an obstacle, such as a parked car, and run around it, like "ring around the rosie." (This may sound silly, but people have said that this saved their lives.)
Get under the car. Once you are under there, there are tons of things to hold on to, and he will not be able to get you out and will not come under for you (most likely). Usually they give up by this point. The catch here is that you must practice getting under the car. You must have a plan (the perpetrator will have one); know if you will be going on your back, front, from the side or back of the car. It must be practiced.

Elevators vs. Stairs

Stairways and stairwells are not considered safe to be alone. They provide easy hiding spots and are difficult to maneuver; they also isolate the victim. Don't get into an elevator alone with a stranger, you don't know them or their intentions--wait for the next elevator to come.

Do not stand back in the corners of the elevator, be near the front, by the doors, ready to get off or on.
If you get on the elevator on the twenty-fifth floor, and someone who makes you uncomfortable gets on at the twenty-second, get off when he gets on.

Physical Defenses


Physical defenses we can use against a violent predator include:
The eyes are the most vulnerable part of the body. Poke the person there and you may create a window of opportunity to get away.

The neck is also a weak spot, but you must know where to grip, and have the strength to cut off his or her breath.

A man's testicles are very susceptible to pain. A strong knee or kick to his groin will disable any man.

Everyone's knees are very vulnerable, and a swift kick here will take anyone down.

A cautionary note about defending yourself--do it with force. Fight for your life and do not give the perpetrator reason to believe you are weak or to get angry with you.

Tips for Saving Your Life

If you have gotten into a violent situation, react immediately. If the person abducts you in a parking lot, and is taking you to an abandoned area, don't let them get you there--fight and scream.

If you are driving, react immediately in the situation, and crash your car while still going 5 mph.

If they are driving, find the right time and stick your fingers in their eyes. The attacker must watch the road, so choose an unsuspecting time, and then gouge. It may be your only defense. While the person is in shock, get out.

Remember to always keep your distance when walking past strangers on the street or in dark areas.
Never let yourself or anyone that you know be a "closer" in any type of business (bar, store, restaurant, gas station).

Police only make 4 of 10 shots when they are in range of 3 to 9 feet. This is due to stress. The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely will not be a vital organ. Run!

Be Careful out There

Our world is not always as safe as we'd like to believe that it is, and living in our fantasy worlds will get us in trouble, sooner or later. "It won't happen to me" doesn't cut it, and is unrealistic. The women or men who die every minute from violent crimes expected to go to bed that night and to get up the next day. No one expects to be a victim, but we must be prepared and aware so that we have a plan. If you can find a self-defense course available in your area, we encourage you to take it, regardless of your sex. Males and females are victims of assault and crime, so be prepared.