7 Practical Tips for Your Safety

Aggressors generally look for easy victims; that is why, the moment they feel threatened and sense their plan might not work, they most often back down and retreat, moving on to attack someone else who won’t give them as much trouble.

Violent events happen, innocent people are attacked and assaulted every day. From thefts to rapes and murders, the victims are always real people — with friends, partners, parents, and children, just like you and me. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to move out of the category of easy victims.

What can I do to be safer?

#1 The most important thing is to give up the idea that it can’t happen to you. If you are unaware and unprepared, indifferent to a possible threat, the only thing that can save you is your attacker’s mistake or inefficiency.

#2 The second is to trust yourself and your instincts! Intuition is the weapon nature has given you — don’t ignore it! It’s better to take a detour around a park for nothing than to end up in serious trouble. Don’t try to convince yourself that you’re worrying for no real reason and that everything will be fine. Act without hesitation based on what your intuition tells you!

#3 Don’t let shame or social norms put you in danger. Ask a colleague or a security guard to walk you to your car, without letting it bother you if they ask “Why, are you scared?!”. And if you have suspicions about someone, refuse their help, don’t engage in conversation, don’t get in the elevator with them — even if you come across as anti-social or even rude.

#4 If you listen to your intuition, also apply common sense. If you are on your own, avoid encountering groups of potential aggressors. Defiance is not the best approach in such situations. Also avoid parks or deserted areas at night. You are always safer when other people are around!

#5 To identify where you are most exposed in your daily life, swap places mentally with a potential aggressor. Think about which areas on your route to work, on a night out, while jogging, or going to the gym are the most suitable for an attack. Identify the scenario of a plausible assault, then figure out what to do to avoid it.

#6 In a situation where you are being attacked, react as quickly and as forcefully as possible. Attack vulnerable points and gain the time you need to reach safety — shelter, a lit area, to shout for help, or to call the police. It is your right to defend yourself!

#7 If you are not a victim but you suspect something — you notice a strange individual, bizarre behavior — report it to the police. You might save a life.

More context

The list above was originally part of the article How Not to Be an Easy Victim, published in November 2014, in the context of a murder that took place in Satu Mare. Unfortunately, personal safety only comes to public attention when extraordinary events occur, and as time passes, the public becomes “desensitised”, making the focus on the subject increasingly rare and brief. Even though statistically we live in the safest period in history, we are at the same time the least physically and mentally prepared to deal with violent events, and most likely have far more to lose.

Being able to defend ourselves or protect our loved ones becomes important precisely when we need it most — but at that moment it is too late for both training and prevention!

Featured image by Ashim D’Silva, article image by Nicholas Mazzaccaro via Unsplash