Proof: Becoming a victim is a matter of choice!

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNzI4Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D

The victim in this report made 3 critical choices

1. She choose to withdraw money from an ATM at night.

2. She choose to use an ATM that required her to walk though a shopping centre car park at night.

3. At 58 years old she choose to refuse the demand for cash made by a man armed with a golf club.

She was then bashed and robbed!

These are the choices she could have made:

1. Choose to plan you day so you don't have to use an ATM at night.  There are many other ways to pay for good, debit cards, credit cards etc.

2. If you must use an ATM at night choose to plan ahead, use a machine that you can park next to so you can get straight into your car and lock the door. 

3. If possible have someone come with you.

4. If you are confronted by an armed attacker, give the money up, it's not worth dying for!

Here is some other advice when using ATMs

1. Learn to use the ATM quickly, practice your PIN on a calculator.

2. Try to avoid using ATMs at night or in deserted locations. Plan ahead, get the money out when it's safer.

3. Always have a good look around before using the machine, if you see someone or something that just isn't right, listen to that little voice and get the money out later.

4. After you have keyed in the info required look around again, the more aware you appear the less like a victim you look.

5. When you receive your money put it in your pocket, bag etc. Don't go walking along head down counting fifties.  If you need to count the money do it in a secure location where you can't be viewed by a potential attacker.

6. Always ensure that you retain your card and receipt.

For more information:

Active Protection Solutions

Personal Risk Management & Threat Assessment.

M: 0409 078 322  E: enquiries@activeprotect.com.au  W: http://www.activeprotect.com.au/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/activeprotect

Is becoming a victim a matter of Choice?
Part 2.

One of the web sites I check on a regular basis (every day) is the NSW Police media site: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news

Every day I read articles such as a teenagers being stabbed at a Penrith shopping centre http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNjk1Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D

or a man attacked as he walked along a street in the early hours of the morning: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNjk1Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D

or a woman being indecently assaulted: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNTc1Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D

or two teenage girls indecently assaulted in one day not that far from one another or the highly publicised brawl in Kings Cross which lasted quiet some time, eventually Police arrived and arrested people but it was only due to the attackers lack of actual ability that no one was seriously injured.

I could go on and on. What I never see on the NSW Police media site is a story that goes like this:

"Today Police arrested a person in the act of committing an assault, a robbery, a sexual assault",

why is that?

1. There are not enough Police to be everywhere.

2. Police are re-active, they are there after the incident, after they have been called, and sometimes it's a long wait.

3. I am not sure if this is just me, but I just don't see Police patrolling anymore, why is that?

4. This isn't about bagging Police, but every morning they devote at least 2 cars and 2 motor bikes to patrolling the M2 when traffic is moving at an average of 20kph. Surely these resources would be better off being deployed in pro-active units as they were in the 80's era of zero tolerance policing (a policy which was never officially recognised and would be denied).

So knowing that the chances of Police intervening if you are attacked is non existent, you can make the following choices:

1. Go out.
2. Stay home.

Now before you start with the "I have my rights", "I should be able to go out without getting attacked", "I shouldn't have to change my life because of what other people might want to do"

WAKE UP, it's 2012, there are people out there that don't care about your rights.

Here is an interesting article written by Professor Paul Wilson

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/01/28/43595_gold-coast-news.html 

So you choose to go out,  now you also have choices

1. Choose to adopt an attitude of it "wont happen to me." Do you take that attitude with car insurance, home insurance?

2. Choose to consider that "although the law of averages says it probably won't happen to me, everyday it happens to someone, so why not me?"

3. Choose to be pro-active and do something about being able to protect yourself and those you care about.

Having choosen go out, where ever you go there are going to be other people.  99% of those people are decent law abiding citizens just like you, but there is the other 1%. If you meet that 1% you still have some choices:

1. Choose to use you Awareness skills to detect and help you avoid a potentially dangerous situation, that is of course if you made the CHOICE to learn and practice those skills.

2. If confronted choose to comply, money and possession can be replaced, your life, health and safety can't, this would be time when you are regretting not choosing to develop the awareness skills that may have help you to detect and avoid this dangerous situation.

3. Choose to use your self defence skills, including de-escalation, preparation and physical skills - that is of course if you made the CHOICE to learn and practice those skills.

I only recommend using physical self defence skills as your last resort. Having said that not all attackers give you the choice to comply, at times it is straight into the physical assault.




You don't have to go to the Police media site to read, hear or see reports about people being attacked, robbed, raped and murdered, every time you watch the TV news or open a newspaper or read the online news there are the reports so you cannot say, "I didn't know that there were people out there who would attack me."

You have the CHOICE. I have on a number of occasions been in situations where an attack is imminent, I have observed the difference in the trained and untrained reaction to impending violence and have seen the following

The trained.

1. Awareness switched to high.

2. Avoidance of the situations.

3. When avoidance is no an option is have seen preparation, physical positioning, stance, balance, hand positioning.

4. Mental preparation, getting into the combat mindset

5. Fast, decisive, effective self defence.

The untrained.

1. Victim!! Didn't see it coming, didn't know what to do, injured or worse.

So you have the CHOICE but remember, the choice you make may have consequences, not only for you but for you whole family.

Could you family, employment or your business survive if you suffered a major depression or a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of your being involved in a traumatic incident such as being assaulted, injured, robbed or worse.

How would your family, your employment or your business be affected if it happened to a member of your family.

Studies show that victims of trauma are significantly more likely to develop PTSD, major depression, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and agoraphobia. http://activehr.com.au/traumatic-incident-studies.html

Recently it was reported in the media that a bus driver was awarded over $300,000.00 as compensation after he was assaulted while working.  This might be a large amount of money but will it compensate him for suffering anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts and being unable to work, losing his wife and his home i doubt it!! The report is here http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/true-crime-scene/wilfred-star-to-pay-325000-for-assault/story-fnat7jnn-1226386714049

In the final wash up the CHOICE is yours.  I have highlighted the words Choice and Choose to illustrate how many CHOICES you have.

Don't be the person lying in the gutter wondering why me, you had the CHOICE.

For more information:

Active Protection Solutions

Personal Risk Management & Threat Assessment.

M: 0409 078 322  E: enquiries@activeprotect.com.au  W: http://www.activeprotect.com.au/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/activeprotect

Is becoming a victim a matter of choice?
(Part 1)

Yes and No.

Of course no one actually wants to become a victim, I don't think that victims of crime actually willingly ask for assaults, muggings, rape and worse to happen to them however the choices they make can place them in dangerous and often life threatening situations.

So Yes, being a victim can be a matter of choice.

Choice 1: Do you make a choice to go to places where there is a potential for danger, if you do what choices have you made to ensure your safety?

Choice 2: What have you done to ensure that you can detect or avoid a dangerous situations, what skills have you learnt and practiced?

Choice 3: What choices have you made to develop and practice the psychological skills to help you should you become involved in a confrontation situation?

Choice 4: What choices have you made to develop and practice the physical skills to help you should you become involved in a confrontation situation?

Has your choice been to adopt the attitude of "It won't happen to me" or "why do i need to think about that?"

You may argue that you are not choosing to become a victim but isn't choosing to ignore the possibility or NOT take any precautions the same thing?

I bet you don't want to become a victim of car theft or a burglary at home, but you still take out insurance just in case.





Because you choose when and where you go out here is some advice;

1. Learn to develop your awareness. Regardless of how much or how little self defence or martial art training you have had, awareness is the key to staying safe. This is not a blatant plug, but click here for a comprehensive awareness program designed to keep you safe in the streets.

2. Attackers like victims who are unaware so that they can sneak up on them.  Victims often claim in statements "He came out of nowhere" or "All of a sudden he was just there" RUBBISH, they just didn't see the attacker until it was to late. WHY, because they had no awareness skills.

3. Listen to your inner alarm if it goes off to tell you that something may be wrong.  If the little voice in your head is wrong so what, who cares, if it's right you better care.

4. If you frequent places where violence occurs on a regular basis I suggest you either stop or expect something to happen one of these days.

5. If you believe that "it won't happen to me", you may be right.  But if you're wrong, make sure you have health insurance!!

6. Never run from danger, always run to safety.

7. You don't need to develop a siege mentality but you should develop an alert and aware mentality.  A potential attacker will be put off by a victim that look alert and ready to defend themselves.

8. If you make a habit of walking at night or talking an exercise walk at night, take a walking stick and learn out to use it for defensive purposes (of course if you are ever questioned, it's just a walking stick for your bad knee).

9. Two essential tools that can help you avoid becoming a victim are a Deliberate Action Plan and an Immediate Action Plan.

10. If you get in a situation in which you have to defend yourself, accept the situation, don't ignore it, don't hope that it will magically go away, face the situation and get on with it.  If you have the physical skills to defend yourself do so if need be, if you don't try and talk your way of the situation and try to escape. Remember the Immediate Action Plan.

11. Street confrontations such as assaults (including sexual assault) or robberies, mugging etc have 3 stages: Stalking, Interview & Attack.

During the Stalking Phase, the attacker seeks out a victim, the attacker watches them to ensure that they are a suitable victim, weak, unaware, without help or the perceived ability to resist the attack. At this stage awareness is the key to appearing to be an unsuitable victim.

The second stage is The Interview during this time the attacker may make contact with the victim, asking a seemingly innocent question, for directions for example or making a forceful demand for money for example.

At this stage you have three choices (1) if you are going to physically defend yourself get ready to do so. (2) Use the Immediate Action Plan and get to the point where you engage or escape.  (3) If you are not going to defend yourself escape as quick as possible at this point, use distraction or a seeming willingness to comply but get away as quick as possible

The third stage is the actual Physical Attack, see next point.

12. The physical attack part of the street confrontation is also made up of 3 elements: Surprise, Speed & Savagery.  Your awareness can negate element 1 Surprise. Having a Deliberate Action Plan and/or an Immediate Action Plan can slow the attacker down and stop them from launching a savage attack. If you are going to defend yourself now is the time, don't hesitate, work quickly and efficiently

13. Never allow yourself to be taken to a second location, especially if you are female.  What ever was going to happen to you are the first location will be much worse at a second location.  The second location is likely to be more isolated with far less chance of escape or help.  At the second location you may find yourself confronted by additional attackers.  To repeat NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE TAKEN TO A SECOND LOCATION.

14. Especially for females: if you are in a car with your husband or boyfriend and you are having an argument, NEVER demand to be let out of the vehicle NOW.  You may find yourself alone in a dark street with no way to get home and who knows who will drive along that street next.  Always have your husband or boyfriend drive you home, feel free to ignore him them but at least you are home safe.

It's your Choice, be pro-active, choose NOT to become a victim.

'The best defence against violent people are good people who are more skilled at violence'
For more infomration

Active Protection Solutions

Personal Risk Management & Threat Assessment.

M: 0409 078 322  E: enquiries@activeprotect.com.au  W: http://www.activeprotect.com.au/

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Self Defence skills are transferable to other areas of life.

The article linked below concerns a traffic accident where a young mother and her child were run over by an out of control car on a Sydney street.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/crash-involving-emma-de-silva-and-her-19-day-old-baby-eloise-was-like-a-dream-to-bryce-james-wayland/story-e6freuy9-1226383900473

Both the mother and baby were injured with the mother spending eight weeks in intensive care with critical brain injuries, the driver is now facing the court.

Regardless of the outcome of the court case I am sure that anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident would prefer it never happened.

Pedestrians and cyclists are often the victims of motor vehicle accidents and suffer major injuries.

In the last 3 years on average 55 pedestrians are killed each year in NSW.  This number does not of course include injuries that may have a life long debilitating effect on the injured person.


Now what does this have to do with Personal Protection?

The five elements of Personal Protection training are transferable skills that you can use to remain safe in a wide variety of situations.

1. Pre-Planning
2. Perception
3. Processing
4. Preparation
5. Protection

Element 1- Pre-Planning. This is all about Awareness, developing awareness skills and having deliberate action plans.  The crucial component of heightened awareness is being aware of anything and everything within your personal space.  Personal space should be considered as as far as you can see in any given direction.

So how does that apply to being a pedestrian?

1. When walking along a street you should be aware of everything that is going on, take the time to look around now and then.
2. Always walk on the side of the road toward traffic (deliberate action plan), this makes getting hit from behind less likely.
3. Think about what you would do if an out of control vehicle was heading toward you; can you lift the baby stroller?
4. As you are walking along the road be mindful of places that provide cover and protection.

Element 2 - Perception - In addition to being alert or aware, avoid doing anything that limits your perceptual ability such as listening to your IPod, being engrossed in a phone call, I have seen people walking along the street with the IPod in and reading a magazine or checking the web on their IPhone and then stepping of the curb into traffic, this sort of lack of awareness would not be helpful in spotting and reacting to an out of control vehicle.

Element 3 - Processing - (The information received by the senses). Learn what an out of control vehicle sounds like, there is usually tyre screeching, excessive engine reeving, the sounds of collisions or other cars sounding there horns. If you hear these sounds don't ignore it, take action, know where the sound is coming from, if you see the vehicle take action if it coming towards you, if not keep close observation, things can change in an instant.

Element 4 - Preparation -
* If you regularly walk with a stroller, practice some drills such as running with the stroller, weaving, swerving.
* Plan you day and movements that could bring you into contact with traffic, don't be in such as hurry that you lose concentration and step out into on coming traffic or fail to observe an out of control vehicle.
* If you walk along a regular route, know where any specific dangers could be.

Element 5 - Protection - Be aware that in the battle of vehicle -v- person, the vehicle usually wins. taking some sort of preventative action is much better than having to react at the time of the accident.

Personal Protection is not just about kicking and punching, it is not just about defending yourself from physical violence.  The skills learnt in Personal Protection training courses such as 'Execsafe' and 'Be Your Own Bodyguard' are highly transferable and can save your life in a variety of situations.

Active Protection Solutions

Personal Risk Management & Threat Assessment.

Mobile: 0409 078 322
Email: enquiries@activeprotect.com.au 

Web: http://www.activeprotect.com.au/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/activeprotect

You don't have to be a victim!!
The latest attack reported by NSW Police Media. This could have been much worse. Don't let this happen to you or someone you care about.
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNTc1Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D


1. Always be aware of your surrounding and who is around you especially at night.
2. Your personal space is as far as you can see in all directions.
3. If you have a routine, for example you always walk home along certain street, ensure that you know where the escape routes are, where locations of safety are and if there is anything along the way that could assist you if you are attacked, for example shops and or houses, always occupied where you can find help, weapons such as items always left in certain garden along the way.
4. If you are walking, walk away from the roadway. Always walk toward on coming traffic.
5. If you are walking at night, ensure that you are aware of everything thing or person within at least 100 metres.  Who cares if looking around makes you seem paranoid.
6. If you think that you are being followed take some form of evasive action, for example speed up, cross to the other side of the street, turn around and walk the opposite direction and then  observe what your suspected follower does.
7. If they continue to follow you and you feel comfortable, stop and say "Are you following me", if they say "yes" , well at least you know. If they say "no" and then move on, remain aware and alert.
8. If you are approached by someone and that inner alarm goes off, take evasive action, move to the other side of the street, speed up, change direction.
9. If you walk at night consider purchasing and carrying a Maglite style torch. These powerful torches can be purchased at various places and even the small ones are bright enough to stun a potential attacker when shone into the eyes giving you enough time to escape.  The larger models also double nicely as a baton
10. Undertake a Personal Protection and Risk Management course such as 'Execsafe' or 'Be Your Own Bodyguard'.
11. Complete the Active protection Solutions free Personal Risk Managment Health Check.

Active Protection Solutions

Personal Risk Management & Threat Assessment.

M: 0409 078 322  E: enquiries@activeprotect.com.au  W: http://www.activeprotect.com.au/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/activeprotect

Don't let yourself or someone you care about get caught up in something like this!

This footage from the Daily Telegraph web site is worth looking at for the following reasons:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/mass-brawl-erupts-in-front-of-goldfish-kings-cross/story-fn7y9brv-1226375777100

1. It shows what happens in a typical street brawl
2. Notice the lack of impact that the strikes actually have
3. Notice the lack of balance and footwork.
4. Notice that most of the punches are wild haymaker style and don't actually hit.
5. Notice the chaos of the situation.

The people on the receiving end of these strike were lucky, however had one of two of the strikes made contact it would have been a different story. In this situation you must make a decision:

1. Avoid - always a good idea if you can.
2. Escape (run) - also a good idea especially if you are outnumbered, even most important if there are weapons involved.
3. Defend yourself - suggested as a last resort, You have a greater chance of success if you have had physical self defence training.

Imagine you happened to be walking by as this brawl erupted and you were caught in the middle, imagine that you wife or partner was with you. Imagine if this situation occurred when you had children with you. What could you do in this situation.

1. Use your trained awareness skills to spot the situation building up, this will give you the opportunity to take some sort of action to avoid the situation. If you have undertaken an 'Awareness Development' program such as 'Execsafe' or 'Be Your Own Bodyguard' you will have the skills to do this.

2. Use your physical self defence skills to counter any of the punches shown in the video with a straight line jab punch combination. This is also part of the 'Execsafe' and 'Be Your Own Bodyguard' programs

3. Watch this video to see how punches should be delivered: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMNV4RQiRQ4 The video is provide by the Bukido reality based street effective self defence system.

Training will provide you with the ability to respond to violence in a disciplined and control manner. In the first few seconds of combat disciplined reaction to the suddenness of the violence determines who prevails, who is injured, who lives and who dies.

For more information:

Active Protection Solutions

Personal Risk Management & Threat Assessment.

M: 0409 078 322  E: enquiries@activeprotect.com.au  W: http://www.activeprotect.com.au/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/activeprotect

Don't become a secondary victim during an armed holdup.

The linked article related to a Police appeal for public assistance in regard to a number of armed robberies at service stations and convenience stores.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNTE5Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D

These sort of crimes usually occur late at night or in the early hours of the morning.  There are thing you can do to avoid becoming a secondary victim.

If you see what you think is a robbery happening, DO NOT get involved, leave the area as quickly as possible and call Police. They to remember as much about the offenders as possible, write down as many details as you can recall.

* When using service stations especially late at night always take a few seconds to look inside the store before you switch off your engine.
* If you see any thing that is suspicious, drive on and contact Police.
* If you see a vehicle with the engine running and suspicious looking people inside, drive off.
* Whilst filling up, remain aware, look around, if you see something suspicious stop what you are doing, get in your car and leave.  You can return later and pay for any petrol you may have taken.
* When you go to pay, lock your car.
* When you enter the shop, look around, especially look for people that seem to be hanging around looking suspicious or nervous.

General advice: Always fill your car up when it gets down to around 1/4 full, that way you won't get caught breaking down or having to fill up late at night.

The same suggestion apply when using convenience stores or fast food outlets late at night, always be aware of who is in the store and if anything suspicious is occurring.  Listen to that inner voice, it may be right.

If you are using supermarkets with large car parks at night especially if the car park is poorly lit:
* Park as close to the front door as you can.
* Have a look around before you switch off the engine, if there is anyone or anything suspicious in the area leave.
* As you enter the store scan along the registers, if there is a problem that is one of the likely places it will occur.
* Scan the people in the shop, if they appear nervous or are acting strangely that may be a clue that something is happening.
* When you have finished paying for your purchase, place you change or credit cards in your wallet or bag before leaving the store. Do not walking out into the car park distracted by counting change or putting things in wallets or bags.
* When returning to your car, scan the area, if you see something suspicious return to the store and report it to the manager or staff.
* As soon as you get back into your car, lock the door.

General advice:
* Ensure that before getting into your car or placing bags into the boot look inside, make sure no one is hiding inside your car. Women have been attacked by men who have broken into their car and hidden in the back until they returned
* Before opening the boot, press down to ensure it is locked and that no one has gained entry into the boot. This has happened in the past and people have been attacked as they open the boot.
* Program you remote control so that on the first press it only open the driver's door.
* As you open the front door stand near the rear door, that way you will have a clear view of the back of the car as the interior light comes on.

This information and much more forms part of the 'Execsafe' and 'Be your Own Bodyguard' programs from Active Protection Solutions

Active Protection Solutions provide cost effective courses and programs designed to educate and to help protect executives, managers, business owners and their families. The programs can be adapted to suit community and social groups, schools, small business owners, law enforcement and house holders from every walk of life.

Contact us:
Phone: 0409 078322
Web: www.activeprotect.com.au

Twitter: http://twitter.com/activeprotect

Could Your Business Survive?

Could your business survive if you suffered major depression or a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of a traumatic incident such as being assaulted, injured, robbed or worse?

How would your business and home life be affected if a family member suffered as a result of a similar incident?

Could your business, company, department or section survive without the motivation, commitment, energy, drive, passion and creativity of you or any of its key personnel. The trauma associated with a violent attack, assault, mugging, robbery, injury or worse can take motivational forces away in an instant. In addition your family may be exposed to trauma, financial hardship and other related stresses.

Studies show that victims of trauma are significantly more likely to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), major depression, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, and agoraphobia. The loss of control during and after a traumatic incident can rob an executive, manager, business owner and professional of their self-confidence, drive, ambition, ability and zest for life, negatively affecting their business, profession and family. http://activehr.com.au/traumatic-incident-studies.html

Most businesses take out various forms of insurance to protect their property, income and liability but what sort of protection are you able obtain to safe guard your own welfare and well being and that of your family?

Money after the event may be able ensure some financial stability, until the insurance company stops paying that is, but it cannot reduce the likelihood of a victim of trauma developing  PTSD, major depression, anxiety or panic disorders, social phobia or agoraphobia.

So what can you do to protect the viability of your business and the financial security of your family?

1. Assess your risk and the risk of those you care about. (Complete the Risk Assessment form)

2. Manage your risk and the risk of those you care about. (Contact Active Protection Solutions)

3. Be proactive, ensure that you can look after yourself and those you care about should the need arise.

4. Develop Deliberate Actions Plans. (See below)

5. Develop and practice an Immediate Action Plan. (See Below) 

5. Know your rights.

Active Protection Solutions can develop cost effect Personal Risk Management and Threat Assessment programs to ensure that you minimise the risk to you, your family and your business.  

Deliberate Action Plans

A Deliberate Action Plan is about pre-planning.

Step 1*

Conduct an assessment of your daily routines:
* Think about where you or members of your family could be vulnerable
* Do you keep you home secure.
* Is your vehicle secure when your are driving
* Do you have to walk through isolated or darkened areas; if you do you should know what is along the way:
* Are there places where people are always present that you can find assistance or your children can run to?
* Where are the local shops or other places where it is likely people will be present?
* Where do the various side streets go?
* Are there things along the route that you or your family member could pick up and use to defend themselves?

For adults especially, think about what you can do to avoid having to walking through or  park in isolated areas or avoid travelling on public transport late at night. Take some sort of action such as moving your car before darkness or making alternate travel arrangements.

Step 2

Check what you do to see if you appear to be an easy victim. Attackers like easy victims.
* IPods, books and magazines are distracting.
* Being totally engrossed in a phone call etc can make you appear to be an easy victim – plenty of people get run over in traffic due to this as well.

Step 3

Spend some time developing the 'Predator/Prey' mindset.  This involves you thinking like an attacker, look at people in the street or anywhere and ask yourself, "how would I attack them?", "Are they and easy victim?", "What would I do?" and then learn from their mistakes

 Step 4

* Think about what you would do if someone tries to attack you.
* Think about what you would say* Think about where you would run to.
* Think about what you could do, it doesn’t take years of martial art training to knee someone in the groin.

Step 5

Use your ‘Heightened’ awareness skills to ensure you detect potential threats early enough to avoid them. (See below)

Step 6

If you think you or any member of your family has the potential to become a victim (yes that is everyone) consider some sort of Personal Risk Assessment and Prevention Program such as 'ExecSafe' or 'Be Your Own Bodyguard'

Immediate Action Plan

An example of an Immediate Action Plan using the ESCAPE model

Early detection – this works if you awareness is set on ‘Heightened’
Step Back – always step back from a person confronting you, try to remain calm and outside grabbing, punching or stabbing range.
Communicate – Talk to the person, slow the confrontation down as you plan your next move, have your hands up palm facing the attacker, talk as calmly as you can.
Assess the situation – look for escape route or plan your next move.
Prepare – get ready to run or defend yourself - kick, punch, scratch or gouge.
Engage or Escape – If you can run do so, if you can’t then defend yourself. Only engage as a last resort, escape is a far better option.

Heightened Awareness

On the four level awareness development program 'Heightened' is the second level.  The first level is 'Safe & Sound' which should be only used when you are safely tucked up at home, door locked with no potential threats.  When you step out the door you should go to level 2 – Heightened.

This is not difficult, is just means being aware of everything and everyone that is in your personal space. Personal space varies, but as a rule of thumb is it the area as far as your eye can see in any given direction.

Heightened awareness development is a component of the ‘Execsafe’ and ‘Be Your Own Bodyguard’ programs.

For more information: Contact Active Protection Solutions. We can develop cost effect Personal Risk Management and Threat Assessment programs to ensure that you minimise the risk to you, your family and your business. 

Web: http://www.activeprotect.com.au
Emails: enquiries@activeprotect.com.au
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ActiveProtect

From NSW Police Media - Two Teenage girls indecently assaulted.

Two in one day!!!

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNDExLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/media_release_archive?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNDA3Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D

How can you minimise the risk?
Understand this:
Attackers like easy victims.
A person who is unaware of their surrounding is an easy victim.
A person who appears distracted is an easy victim.
Just because you are smaller or younger than the attacker does not in itself make you an easy victim.

Follow these suggestions to help you avoid becoming a victim:

Try wherever possible to avoid walking in isolated areas alone, this includes reserves, car parks and streets.

If you must walk through isolated areas especially on a regular basis make sure you have some Deliberate Action Plans (see below).

Ensure that your awareness level is set on ‘Heightened Awareness’ (see below)

Know your route and continually check around you.

Don’t walk with IPod or other devices in your ears, this takes away a vital sense.

Don’t walk along reading a book or magazine, this shows potential attackers that you are unaware of what’s going on around you, it makes you a much easier victim.

Don’t walk along totally engrossed in a phone call.

If you are confronted run to safety not just away from danger.

If you are confronted follow the ESCAPE Immediate Action Plan

Early detection – this works if you awareness is set on ‘Heightened’
Step Back – always step back from a person confronting you, try to remain outside grabbing range.
Communicate – Talk to the person, slow the confrontation down as you plan your next move, have your hands up palm facing the attacker, talk as calmly as you can.
Assess the situation – look for escape route or plan your next move.
Prepare – get ready to run or defend yourself - kick, punch, scratch or gouge.
Engage or Escape – If you can run do so, if you can’t then defend yourself. Only engage as a last resort, escape is a far better option.

Deliberate Action Plans
A Deliberate Action Plan is about pre-planning.

Step 1
For students and adults alike, if you walk or travel the same way to school or work each day are there ways for you to avoid walking through isolated areas; if not you must know what is along the way:
* Are there places where people are always present that you can run to?
* Where are the local shops?
* Where do the various side streets go?
* Are there things along your route you could pick up and use to defend yourself?

For adults think about what you can do to avoid having to walking through, parking or being in isolated areas or travelling on public transport late at night. Take some sort of action such as moving your car before darkness.

Step 2.
Check what you are doing to see if you appear to be an easy victim.
* IPod, Books, being engrossed in a phone call etc make you an easy victim – plenty of people get run over in traffic due to this as well
* Spend a few days playing the ‘Predator/Prey’ game. This involves you thinking like the attacker, looking at people and working out; ‘how would I attack them’, ‘What would I do’, ‘are they an easy target’ and then importantly learning from their mistakes, don’t do the same thing.

Step 3
Think about what you would do if someone tries to attack you.
* Know where you would run to.
* Think about what you could do, it doesn’t take years of martial art training to knee someone in the groin.
Step 4
Use your ‘Heightened’ awareness skills to ensure you detect potential threats early enough to avoid them
Step 5
If you think you are a potential victim (yes that is everyone) consider some sort of reality based martial art or self-defence classes or course.
Heightened Awareness
The Heightened level of awareness is the second level.  The first level is Safe & Sound which should be only used when you are safely tucked up at home, door locked with no potential threats.  When you step out the door you should go to level 2 – Heightened.
This is not difficult is just means being aware of everything and everyone in your personal space. Personal space varies, but as a rule of thumb is it the area as far as your eye can see in any given direction.
The example of someone walking across a reserve means that you would be looking ahead, to the sides and now and then behind you.  This is not walking like you are in a combat zone but making sure that no one can get close enough to harm you by surprise.

When interviewed by Police victims often say “he came out of nowhere” or “he just appeared”, that is not true, in reality the victim simply did not see the attacker approaching.

Contact Active Protection Solutions. We can develop cost effect Personal Risk Management and Threat Assessment programs to ensure that you minimise the risk to you, your family and your business.  

For more information:

Web: http://www.activeprotect.com.au
Emails: enquiries@activeprotect.com.au