Victim's Options:
Overview

What are a victim's options when suddenly threatened by a predator? "Fight or flight” are the two most well known. Martial arts' theory usually adds surrender to the mix. I’ve added two more: outsmart and posture, and aligned them all with FBI victim guidelines (and also clarified their clunky terminology):

1. Posturing: presenting yourself as a tough target (predators prefer easy prey). If that doesn’t work:
2. Fleeing, the most obvious choice, might not be possible. If not:
3. Outsmarting: by verbally defusing a confrontation and maneuvering toward escape. If that doesn’t work:
4. Surrendering and hoping for the best; or preferably as a prelude to an escape, perhaps aided by:
5. Fighting like a mad dog to enable your escape. Stun & run.

It’s impossible to fully anticipate the panicky chaos of a sudden threat forcing you to choose among a victim's options in a split-second. Nonetheless, understanding your options now will help your Intuition choose an option then.

Enhancing Your Options
Pepper Spray & a Noisemaker visibly ready will greatly enhance your first option – Posturing as a tough target – and probably deter a predator immediately. Your fifth option – Fighting – is enhanced as well.

Face-to-Face Factors
• Your wariness: using a cell phone or headphones, or daydreaming, is like a lame antelope attracting a lion.
• The type of assailant: is he a scared yet volatile kid, a depraved lunatic, or somewhere in between?
• The presence of a weapon or an accomplice: neither may be visible at first.
• The location: populated areas might inhibit him. And, is it your turf or his? Familiarity makes a difference.
• Your personality: can a passive person be aggressive? Can an aggressive person surrender (or fake it)?
• Your abilities to strategize and fight.
• Your willingness to truly fight for your life – and to never give up.

Five Options for Victims of Violent Crimes:
Crime Prevention Tips
& Personal Safety Devices

• Victim’s Options - Overview (YOU’RE NOW ON THIS PAGE).
• 1st Option - Posturing: presenting yourself as a tough target (predators prefer easy prey). If that doesn’t work:
• 2nd Option - Fleeing, the most obvious choice, might not be possible. If not:
• 3rd Option - Outsmarting: by verbally defusing a confrontation and maneuvering toward escape. If that doesn’t work:
• 4th Option - Surrendering: as a prelude to an escape, perhaps aided by:
• 5th Option - Fighting like a mad dog to enable your escape. Stun & run.
• Recap of this section.
• Personal Safety Devices

KRAV MAGA, a practical self-defense system used by many police forces worldwide, teaches you to defend yourself, enhances your survival instinct, and can be applied under extreme stress. It's not flashy, just very effective. I highly recommend it. The Krav Maga TV - Online Training videos are especially convenient to learn at home when your schedule allows or if you don't live near a training center.

Go to
1st Option - Posturing | 2nd Option - Fleeing | 3rd Option - Outsmarting | 4th Option - Surrendering | 5th Option - Fighting | Street Crime FAQ | Urban Myths | Myth Busters | Crimes of Passion | Victim's Options - Recap
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