Being an easy target for crime
- Be unaware of your surroundings
This includes texting, talking on your cell phone and jogging with headphones on (especially in isolated areas with few or no people). Just stay stuck in your own world and be oblivious to everything going on around you.
Situational awareness is everything.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Most attacks come up from behind. It’s easy to get assaulted when your head is in the clouds. Criminals look for the easiest targets and a distracted person is one of their favorites.
2. Don’t follow your gut instincts.
If something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t.
Follow your gut instincts. If you get a bad vibe around certain people or in being in a particular environment, run away! Don’t stay around those people or be in that area. Trusting your gut can help prevent dangerous situations from happening.
3. Have no sense of direction and a lack of confidence.
Lack of direction equals easy target.
Along with being situationally aware, it is important to have a sense of direction and know where you are going. If you are wandering around and unsure of where your destination lies, criminals will take advantage of that. People who walk confidently are less likely to be vulnerable to attack. Criminals want to prey on people who seem weak and are less likely to resist. They don’t want to go through the trouble of dealing with someone that is going to yell, scream or fight back.
4. Always think that crime “could never happen to me.”
You live in a safe neighborhood, have adequate protection and are surrounded by helpful people.
Understand that crime does not discriminate.
Anyone can be a target for crime, regardless of age, gender, race or social status. Some people are targeted more because of some of these variables than others, but the reality is that crime can happen to anyone. You could just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
5. Walking alone at night.
Avoid walking home alone at night.
This is especially true if you go through an isolated area or dangerous neighborhood. If you must walk at 2am or 3am, do so with a group of people; preferably sober. Take a taxi if you live in a problematic neighborhood instead of saving a few dollars and getting yourself into danger.
6. Wear high heels, tight clothes and anything else that restricts movement.
Criminals target people who might have difficulty getting away.
You might want to rethink wearing restrictive clothing or shoes, as it would help from making you a potential target. Also avoid wearing clothes that could be easily pulled or grabbed, as they make it easier for an attacker to get you.
To sum up
These tips seem obvious when you are reading them, but those are the things that we don`t think about when they are happening.
