Personal Safety
Complete the Personal Safety Checklist to see if you are protected.
Most crimes are crimes of opportunity. The key to staying safe from assault or robbery is to avoid places or activities that provide a criminal the opportunity to commit a crime against you.
Likewise, the best way to avoid domestic assault is to take steps to limit the attacker's opportunity to get away with the crime.
Probably the least expensive measure you can take to protect yourself against crime is to incorporate certain habits into your daily routine that make you and your family less vulnerable. Adopt a "security conscious" lifestyle. The best prevention is precaution. A basic rule is to stay ALERT to your surroundings. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave!
When faced with danger, trust yourself. Stay as calm as possible. Think rationally, without panicking. Evaluate your options. There is no one right way to respond to a confrontation. Every situation is different. The response depends upon the circumstances; location of the attack, your personal resources, the characteristics of the assailant and the presence of weapons.
There are many strategies that are effective, but you must rely on your own judgment to choose the best one:
Things to Know
Most crimes are crimes of opportunity. The key to staying safe from assault or robbery is to avoid places or activities that provide a criminal the opportunity to commit a crime against you.
Likewise, the best way to avoid domestic assault is to take steps to limit the attacker's opportunity to get away with the crime.
Probably the least expensive measure you can take to protect yourself against crime is to incorporate certain habits into your daily routine that make you and your family less vulnerable. Adopt a "security conscious" lifestyle. The best prevention is precaution. A basic rule is to stay ALERT to your surroundings. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave!
What If It Happens To You
When faced with danger, trust yourself. Stay as calm as possible. Think rationally, without panicking. Evaluate your options. There is no one right way to respond to a confrontation. Every situation is different. The response depends upon the circumstances; location of the attack, your personal resources, the characteristics of the assailant and the presence of weapons.
Strategies
There are many strategies that are effective, but you must rely on your own judgment to choose the best one:
- Distraction and then fleeing
- Negotiating
- No resistance
- Physical resistance
- Screaming to attract attention
- Stalling for time
- Verbal assertiveness