STREET CRIME:
Safety Tips for Women
FAQ

Most people think street crime is a game of chance, but you can stack the odds in your favor.

Victims are often paralyzed by the "startle factor." They're lost in their thoughts and suddenly chaos erupts – they freeze. See stress-control-fear-itself.

Pay close attention to crime stories you read or see on the news – or read on this website. If something similar happened, what would you do? What mistakes have victims made? What have victims done to escape? So if a similar situation does come up, you'll have more-informed ideas and forethought and can better weigh your options on the spot – even though each case is different. Some victims are feistier than others and may have succeeded with something that could have gone either way.

It's much more dangerous to be abducted. If you're in a parking lot or on a street – those are still public places and there are possibly people around if you scream or run (either rescuers or witnesses that predators avoid). But once you're taken away – your odds of survival are always worse. That’s why a predator wants to take you to a second, more secluded scene – there are few, if any, rescuers or witnesses around.

Whether to fight back (stun & run) or comply – with a wannabe-kidnapper at the first crime scene – depends on the situation and is up to you. You must decide on your own – following your intuition.

What if he's got a gun? See Survival Options - Kidnapping. It's far better to know it and not need it, than to need it and not know it.

It Can Happen Here

It can happen here – even on one of the quietest blocks in town. A woman’s 3 am stroll with her dog went bad when she was almost back to her front door and heard the gate behind her squeak open. A man was coming toward her. She walked away from the door because she didn’t want to be forced inside – knowing it can get a lot worse inside.

The man punched her and threw her to the ground. She said he put his hands up her dress and tried to pull down her underwear, but she resisted and screamed as loud as she could. Luckily, neighbors came running and scared him off.

First, you can be attacked where you least expect it. Second, she was right: don’t let him force you inside your home – a Mug-In – or force you to go to any other secluded place where nobody will be able to help you.

They Walk Among Us

For every cop you see, you’ve also likely seen paroled muggers, burglars, carjackers, killers, kidnappers, stalkers, rapists, and molesters – along with all the up-and-coming young monsters – but you didn’t know it.

The bad guys far outnumber the good guys, and if you or a loved one tempts a predator just once, your life may shatter forever. Hordes of heartless predators are always out there – somewhere – often where least expected, and the few good guys can’t possibly begin to always protect all of us. After all, when seconds count, cops are minutes away! Always remember that the average 911 police response time is NINE minutes.

STREET CRIME OPTIONS

1. Posturing: presenting yourself as a tough target. If that doesn’t work:
2. Fleeing, the most obvious choice, might not be possible. If not:
3. Outsmarting: by talking your way out and maneuvering toward escape. If that doesn’t work:
4. Surrendering and hoping for a predator's mercy to let you live; or preferably as a trick leading to a sudden escape, perhaps aided by:
5. Fighting like a mad dog for your escape. Stun & run.

The panicky chaos of a sudden threat forces you to choose an option in a split-second. Still, understanding your street crime options now will help your Intuition choose an option then.

Deter a predator by carrying a Personal Security Alarm (a.k.a. screamer or noisemaker) & Pepper Spray in plain sight.

You alone are responsible for your safety. Predators target easy prey. Make yourself a hard target.

See more safety tips for women at Purse Snatching FAQ.

Related Pages:
Posturing | Fleeing | Outsmarting | Surrendering | Fighting | Running Safety | Purse Snatching | Best Pepper Spray | Personal Security Alarm

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