We’ve all done things that aren’t smart. We’ve parked at the end of the lot, we’ve walked alone at night, and we’ve dressed a bit too provocatively. While these things may not be the wisest choices, they don’t give anyone a right to make us victims. Whether you’re a college student, a single mother or a family man, there are ways that you can avoid becoming a victim; here are five of them:
1.Walk Correctly
Yes, walking is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other, but do you know how to walk correctly? When you are walking, especially alone and at night, walk along the edge of the sidewalk, closest to the street. Look for dark nooks where you would hide if you were a mugger and avoid them. While this isn’t a sure-fired way to avoid being mugged, putting even an extra foot of space between yourself and a dark alley will give you more time to react.
2.Pay Attention
You’ve undoubtedly been irritated by the victim in a horror movie who is so engrossed in her own thoughts and actions that she doesn’t hear the footfalls of the attacker behind her. Don’t be that girl. If you hear someone walking behind you and it raises the hair on your arms, cross the street. Avoid listening to your iPod while you’re walking by yourself, keep your eyes up and moving instead of on the ground in front of you, and be alert to smells and sounds around you.
3.Keep Your Hands Free
Nothing screams victim like someone fumbling around in their pockets, digging through their bag, or carrying an armful of packages. It doesn’t matter if you’re walking in full daylight or in the wee hours of the morning; keep your hands free. If you’re wearing a coat, put your purse over your shoulder before you put your coat on. If you’re carrying a wallet, put it in your front pocket. If you need to buy a million things at the mall, make several trips to lock up your packages in your trunk.
4.Confidence is Key
No matter where you’re heading, walk there with purpose. The more confident that you look, the less likely you are to become a victim. A mugger wants to take your possessions and do it quickly. He or she doesn’t want to grapple with you and draw the attention of passers-by. When you walk with purpose and attitude, you’ll give off a vibe that screams “Don’t mess with me!”
5.Self-Defense
Don’t assume that because you are a man you know how to defend yourself. Don’t think that because you’re a woman, taking a self-defense course makes you paranoid or weak. Functional defense courses are a fantastic idea for anyone, of any gender and any age. By learning how to protect yourself, you’ll automatically gain confidence. A self-defense class will teach you how to put distance between you and your mugger, giving you precious seconds to run the other way and find help.
No one has the right to make a victim out of someone else. No matter how you look, what you’re wearing or what you’re doing, you should be able to get where you need to go safely. By following the five tips above, you can ensure that you do.
About the author: Sara Lewis blogs for FSD blogs. If you’re interested in learning self defense, check out FSD programs.
