In the world we live in, it pays to be prepared for dangerous situations. These tips will help you protect yourself in the event of personal attack.
1. Never be afraid to make a scene if someone is bothering you. It is imperative that you draw attention to the situation. The last thing a criminal wants is attention. Yell and make a big commotion. Tell the person to leave you alone. Make sure others notice what’s going on continue moving away from the would be attacker. Stay in a public place where there are other people and find a phone to call the police.
2. Defend yourself. It is against the nature of most people to hurt another person, but an attacker intends to hurt you. In this situation, you must defend yourself with at least enough force to get away from the attacker. Once free, run as fast as you can. Scream and draw attention to yourself as noted above. Stepping on someone’s insole, elbowing him in the stomach just below the ribs, jabbing in the throat, throwing dirt in someone’s eyes, are effective ways to catch the attacker off guard and get away.
3. When you run away, do not lead the attacker to your own home. He is likely to simply wait and come back when you are not expecting it. Instead, run to an open business, another house where people are obviously home, a crowd of people, etc.
4. If you are driving and someone is following you, do not drive to your home, place of work, or other familiar location. As noted above, your would be attacker may just come back later. Instead, drive to a police station if possible, or a well lit area where people are present.
5. The most important thing to remember is if someone does grab you, is never allow your attacker to move you to a second location. Studies show that once a person has been taken to a second location the chances of serious injury or even fatality are increased greatly. Even if the person threatens to harm you, he or she is less likely to do so if you in a semi-public place. Once you are removed to a more secluded location, the attacker has more opportunity to harm you. Scream, yell, grab onto something, hit, kick, punch, bite, and do whatever you have to do to avoid being moved elsewhere.