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Self Defense and Crime Prevention

General:

  • Use common sense – Be aware of your surroundings

  • If you see or sense problems on your way, just change your route and - prepare to run or defend yourself

  • Do not wear conspicuous jewelry when you are walking on the streets alone

  • Do not hitchhike, use buses or taxis instead

  • Do not act or look like an easy target - look confident!

  • Most "fights" are won before they start, and aggressors will back down if you maintain eye contact and are not intimidated by them.

  • Keep cars locked when parked. Do not leave valuables, including purses, in the car.

  • Purses: DO NOT LEAVE unattended in shopping carts or on counters.

Motor vehicles

  • Danger areas are stepping out of your car either at home or in isolated areas, and also walking to your car

  • Always approach your vehicle with the keys ready - remote in hand

  • Press the car alarm on your remote if you are approached/attacked

  • Windows should be up and doors locked even when driving to avoid unwanted passengers at intersections

  • Do not leave your purse or other valuables on the seat, especially with the windows open. Someone can reach in and take the items while you are stopped at an intersection.

  • Do not leave your car running when you are not in it. It is too easy to steal.

  • Always check your car before entering

  • Never leave your car unlocked, even for the few minutes it may take you to return a video, buy milk and so forth. Attackers have been known to lie in wait for such an opportunity.

  • Never get into a car even if someone is pointing a knife or a handgun at you from inside. Just start to run away from the car screaming at the same time. It's much more likely that he will drive away to find an easier target than attacking or killing you. But if you get into the car, he has a much better opportunity to drive to a quiet place and start to abuse you and later maybe kill you.

  • Never pull your car over from a quiet road even if someone drives alongside your car pointing at the tires etc. Always continue driving to a well-lit and crowded area before exiting your car. The problem might be a bluff and the driver wants you to stop at the side of the road to "help" you without a reason.

  • Always be alert in parking lots, specially when it's dark. If you are afraid, don't be too shy to ask someone (Security personnel) to escort you to your car. Look between cars and inside cars, it's easy for someone to hide and wait until a person comes along.

Walkers / joggers:

  • If you have car trouble and are walking to look for help, always walk against the traffic so that you can see what is coming

  • Have a cell phone and know your location.

  • If shadowed by a car, run back in the direction from which you came. If you continue in the same direction, you will make it easy for the shadowing to continue

  • Be wary of alert passengers who may be watching you

  • Don't use a "walkman" when walking in isolated areas at any time

  • Regularly change your routines

  • Mark out houses at intervals on each route you take that may be used as "safe houses" in the event of attack such as shops or houses that you know to be occupied by a friend or acquaintance. Try to incorporate these houses every time you vary your route

  • Be alert at all times

  • Don't presume that because your area has been "safe" thus far, that it will continue to be so.

  • Attract attention: The first thing he will say to you is "don't scream or I'll kill you". He's telling you exactly what will ruin his plan. Go ahead, ruin his plan -- create a disturbance, scream, throw things, blow the horn. If you think you should yell "fire" go right ahead. You can't count on others coming to your aid, but you want to appeal to his fear of getting caught and make him think that someone could hear you and be coming.

  • Control his hips and his hands: This might sound strange if you've not gone through the Rape Escape course, but the concept works. Control his hips to prevent penetration. If you can get your feet on his hips you can control the distance between the two of you. His hands are the weapons he will use against you. He will hit you, slap you, stab you or shoot you, but he has to use his hands to do the damage.

  • Use your strongest weapons against his weakest targets: His weakest targets are those that are most valuable, yet ironically, cannot be entirely strengthened. His eyes, throat, groin and knees are your primary targets. Your secondary targets are his face and his abdomen. Strong weapons that you can employ are your kicks using the bottom of your feet, your elbows, hammerfists and palm heel strikes.

Objects you can use:

  • Keys, change to throw, pepper spray, hair spray, pencils, pens, cell phones, water bottles, any object you can throw or hit with.

  • Use your environment - Use what is around you – i.e. shopping cart, sticks, stones….

Tactics

  • Kicks-if you are on the ground, lay on you side and use your leg to kick your attacker in the knee or groin

  • Punch to throat

  • Knees to groin, stomach, knees

  • Head butt to the attackers nose

  • Bear hug from behind: turn into the attacker and duck out from under his arms. Punch to the groin as you do.

  • Keys-keep your keys in your hand as you walk. Put one key in between each finger to punch with if you are attacked

More information

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