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'
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