There is no reason to live in fear of crime and violence. However, there are grounds for taking reasonable precautions. Thus, you will not allow the criminal to choose you as a victim.

The reason is simple: there are thousands of people around who are an easier and safer target. The harder it is for the criminal to make you a victim, the more likely it is that he will switch to another target.

HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A CRIME VICTIM

Components of personal security:

1. Knowledge of sources of danger
2. Security guarantees
3. Habits
4. Maneuvering and positioning
5. Self-confidence and self-control
6. Verbal boundary setting
7. Physical self-defense

Personal security can be considered as a system in which each level not only increases your security, but also relies on the level below it, creating a single and consistent whole. Thus, you have a solid structure, and not a complex scheme of options for what to do in different situations. A fragmented approach requires excessive work, inconveniences and, often, changes in your lifestyle, while not giving a 100% guarantee of safety. This system is designed to work with your lifestyle, not change it.

1. The foundation on which the system stands is knowledge of the sources of danger. This means knowing how criminal and violent people think and what they need to succeed. These are not good people who have become bad, these are bad people who have become even worse. You also need to understand what provokes violence, what violence really is and that it manifests itself at various levels. Without this fundamental understanding, there can be no consistency in what you do to protect yourself (and your property).

2. Security guarantees are something you do once and just leave. These are security measures that serve as deterrents and as guarantees of your safety. As a rule, this is something you can do at your home or at work to discourage and prevent theft. These measures are like an iceberg - what is visible above the surface serves to scare off most potential robbers, but the bulk is under the surface. Criminals don't like surprises. Often the appearance of unexpected obstacles is enough to scare off the criminal, in other cases, for example, it will slow down the burglar and increase the likelihood that he will be caught.

3. Habits are those repetitive actions that serve to ensure your safety. These are simple actions to which you accustom yourself, which significantly reduce the chances that the criminal will choose you or your property as his target.

They can vary from habits, for example, locking doors, windows and closing curtains when you leave, never leaving your car with the engine running unattended, not leaving valuables in plain sight in the car, assessing the situation in deserted places in advance. Such habits are not difficult to instill, and within a week or two they become automatic.

The reason they are effective is that they either remove valuable items from view, prevent easy access, or complicate the situation for the criminal.

4. Maneuvering and positioning is knowing where you don't want to be. There are positions from which a criminal can (and probably will) successfully attack you. If he (and his associates) can take these positions, your chances of effectively defending yourself will be reduced to zero. If you are not ready to use physical force for self-defense, do not allow such a situation to arise. Positioning is a strategic game. The criminal is trying to put you where it is profitable for him, and you are moving in such a way that he cannot do it.

The criminal most often tries to hide his intentions until it is too late. He can't say, "Stand still so I can rob you." However, this need for tricks can be turned to your advantage. Knowing what goals the criminal is pursuing and not allowing him to develop the situation in his own interests, you nonviolently protect yourself from violence.

5. Self-confidence and self-control. Self–confidence is the realization that neither you nor your loved ones can afford to become a victim. Self–control is the preservation of calm and prevention of escalation of the conflict, even if your opponent is wrong (violates your rights, threatens you). When you are dealing with a potential criminal, you must remember that you are confronted by a completely self-centered person who is not afraid to use violence to get his way. The last thing you want to do is provoke anger, fear, or invade his space. Aggression on your part will only cause more cruelty. Some conflicts can be avoided if one side does not provoke their development.

6. Setting boundaries verbally is informing the aggressor that you intend to resist. This makes it clear to a potential criminal that you are aware of what is happening and that you are determined to do everything possible to protect yourself. These are not threats; this is a clear signal to the aggressor that you are ready for self-defense.

7. Physical self-defense is the last necessary step to ensure your own safety. Physical self-defense is not a struggle, but actions aimed at not suffering from violence. You also need to be prepared for such a development of events, since sometimes there are situations in which it will not be possible to avoid the use of force to protect yourself.

The chances of successful self-defense will increase significantly if you think about self-defense weapons in time. There are enough articles in our blog that analyze in detail the pros and cons of various means of self-defense. You can buy non-lethal stun guns for self-defense in our online store.

The purpose of this system is to make it harder for the criminal to attack you. This will not only require a lot of effort from him, but will also give you a warning about the occurrence of a dangerous situation, and will give you the opportunity to prepare for self-defense. The best way to stay safe is to convince the opponent that putting in so much effort and probably failing is too much trouble for him.