DON'T BE AN EASY TARGET

Avoidance is the first step in self protection and learning what to avoid becomes very important.  To help in learning how to avoid being a victim, we can learn from those that have studied the criminal mind set…in this instance, the mindset of rapists who are incarcerated.  Using this method, rapists in prison were asked what they look for in a potential victim.  Here are some of their findngs:

1.  They are always looking for an easy target and one of the easiest ways is to find a female who is distracted.  What is the biggest distraction?  Talking and/or texting on your cell phone.  Also searching through your purse (usually looking for keys or cell phone) is another distraction.  These things make it easier to catch you off guard and overpower you. 

Remember, when using our ACT Strategy, the A stands for Awareness.  It’s difficult to be aware of your surroundings when you are distracted.

2.  Hairstyle.  Rapists are more likely to go after a woman with long hair…be it hanging free, in a braid, ponytail or bun.  It makes it easier to grab the victim.

This doesn’t mean that you should go cut your hair short…it just means that if you do have long hair, you should be Aware of this fact.

3.  Another thing the men look for is clothing.  Clothing that is easy to remove makes a woman an easier target.

Again, you should dress in your style and level of comfort…just be Aware of what you are wearing and how it might make you a more likely target of a rapist.

4.  No surprise that the most common place that women are attacked are in parking lots and/or parking garages.  The next common is public restrooms.

We all have to walk through parking lots and/or parking garages or use a public restroom from time to time (although I know a lot of ladies who try to avoid doing so).  The key once again?....Awareness.

5.  Carrying an object, such as an umbrella, that can be used at a distance as a weapon is a deterrent.  Of course, most of us are not going to carry an umbrella every day just to use as a weapon.  However, years ago (when I was in my 20’s) I had a friend who rode the bus to work and she ALWAYS carried one…both because she never knew when the weather might change and also for a weapon and she truly believed that it made her feel like likely to be targeted. She didn’t care if people thought she looked foolish carrying an umbrella on a sunny day in South FL.  It was her weapon and she carried it.   Remember, the rapist wants an “easy” target. If he thinks that you are going to put up any kind of a fight, he’ll just target an easier victim.

In our next blog, we will discuss what to do if you feel that you are being targeted as victim.

Have a great day and remember to KISS (Keep It Safe & Survive).