My oldest niece will be a freshman at Georgia Tech this year and moves in this weekend. Obviously, I would love for LE to get this guy off the street ASAP — now more than ever. In the meantime, I’ve demanded that my niece follow the laundry list of safety precautions below.
Have your keys ready in your hand BEFORE you walk to/from your car. Don’t talk or text on your phone when you’re out alone (
at any time — but especially at night).
Keep your keys with you and lock your car doors
every time you stop for gas.
Avoid parking in dimly lit areas and avoid spots sandwiched between two vans, large trucks, or SUVs.
Never leave your drink unattended and only accept drinks if you’ve seen them prepare it (even water). Check bottle seals.
Always stay alert and aware of your surroundings. (I know this sounds like a tedious way to live, but maintaining awareness will quickly become second nature.)
Identify areas where a predator could easily conceal himself and avoid them (behind dense shrubbery, in poorly lit doorways or hallways, behind large dumpsters, etc).
Never get in an elevator with a lone male if you’re by yourself.
Don’t wear earbuds/headphones when you exercise.
Never walk past a group of loitering males.
Avoid fringe areas when you’re alone at night — these “in between” places are those we pass thru on our way to/from somewhere else (parking lots, stairwells, elevators, public bathrooms, ATMs, event exits at concerts and sporting events, shortcuts thru parks or alleys, etc).
If a stranger approaches you, draw attention to yourself in any way you can.
If you ever need help, always take the initiative to ask for it (rather than accept it from someone who offers). You’re much less likely to randomly ask someone who wants to harm you versus the other way around.
If someone demands your bag or wallet or jewelry or
whatever, always comply. But toss it over their shoulder and then run in the opposite direction when they turn around to grab it.
If a stranger follows you, turn around and face them directly. Firmly tell them you’re not interested in continuing the conversation. Make direct eye contact to let them know you know what’s up and you’re not easy prey.
Don’t let well-established social norms trap you in potentially dangerous situations. Criminals aren’t bound to the rules of a civilized society and often use them to control their victims. They gamble with their lives and freedom every time they commit a crime, and the risk versus reward ratio largely depends on their ability to choose the “right victim”. One of the most critical factors in the victim selection process is an unwillingness to deviate from social norms. A “good” or “safe” victim will behave as they are expected — but narrow their chance of escape by doing so.
Examples of Social Norms: Don’t draw attention to yourself. Don’t lie. Don’t be loud in movie theaters and libraries. Don’t walk outside naked. Don’t take things that don’t belong to you. Don’t drive on the grass. Don’t ignore someone speaking to you. Don’t shove at people in a crowd. Don’t run a red light. Don’t touch anyone without their permission. Don’t skip others waiting in line. Don’t stand too close to people. Don’t speak out of turn. Don’t trespass on someone’s property without their permission.
If you are in danger, all bets (and social rules) are off. Do
WHATEVER is needed to ensure your safety. You can worry about traffic tickets, looking crazy, being loud or rude, running thru someone’s yard
after they decide you aren’t worth the risk and move on to an easier target.
Use every tool you have at your disposal (and say whatever might be necessary) to convince them you aren’t worth the effort.
If all else fails, aim for body parts where you can do the most damage: eyes (gouge, poke, scratch), nose (strike upwards using the heel of your palm), neck (thrust your elbow into his neck while pitching your weight forward), knee. Then run in a zigzag pattern toward the brightest lit nearby area.
MOST IMPORTANTLY:
never get into a car or comply with demands to move to another location (even if he has a gun and threatens to kill you).
If he wants to take you somewhere else, it’s because he can’t carry out his plans where you are now. Your odds of survival are the very best they will ever be in that moment.
YOU ARE NOT EASY PREY, SO DON’T ACT LIKE IT.
