You may well be aware that parking lots are one of the favorite places of people with criminal minds to hang out and look for their victims. Make sure you park under a lamp post, or in well-lit areas. Also, check under and inside of your car before entering, but do it quick. Upon entering your car, lock your doors immediately. Avoid delaying by making phone calls, checking your stuff, or setting up the radio.Tip: It’s always better to follow your gut feeling than be sorry. When you are scared to go to your car by yourself, ask someone trustworthy (like a security guard or a store clerk) to walk you to your car.
- Be careful with large vans. Avoid parking next to them and in cases where you find out that a large van has parked near your car, and the door is to the side of your car’s driver’s seat, enter your car through the passenger seat’s door. People usually get abducted by criminals with large vans while they are trying to enter their car.
- Do not forget to lock your doors while you drive. There are reported cases when women are attacked while waiting under a stoplight.
- Sometimes, attackers may signal you that there is something wrong with your car. DO NOT pull over. Find a safe place (such as a well-lit gas station) to pull over and check out what is wrong.
- Remember Ted Bundy? He is a notorious serial killer who would act as if something’s wrong with him so as to deceive women to thinking that he is vulnerable and that he needs their help. Prioritize your safety when someone is asking you to help them, or convinces you to go to their car or somewhere else for help. If you really want to help, offer to make a call for him (like police or ambulance if he says he’s injured but isn’t obvious).
- Always make your phone handy in cases of emergency.
- Make a scene. This would work when there are people around. Do not be ashamed to talk loud and make everyone know that you don’t know the attacker and that he is harassing you.
- When someone draws a gun, do not hesitate to run really fast and scream as loud as you can. It may be that this guy does not like to draw attention to himself and would eventually run when you make a scene. Also, according to a report, bad guys hit their target only 4 out of 100 and if they do, it’s unlikely that they will hit you fatally.
- If a suspicious man approaches you, throw your wallet or purse as far as you can and run in the other direction. Thieves are more interested in your valuables than hurting you.
- If the attacker grabs you, use your elbow to hurt them or poke their eyes really hard.
- In case you are captured and kept in the trunk, kick the back tail lights until it gives in. Stick your arm out and wave to attract others on the road. Be assured that the driver will not see you.
- If you ever forget to lock your car doors and an attacker jumps in the car, drive quickly and hit the car on a wall, a tree, or a pole. Your airbag will protect you and the situation will attract attention while your attacker will be left hurt and/or stunned.
- When walking alone at night, you can place your keys in between your fingers so that when someone attacks you, you can hit them with your keys.
When the Attacker is in Front of You
Sometimes, no matter how careful we are, attackers still get the chance to get near us. When that happens, these tips would be helpful for your chances of escaping.
TIP: It's helpful to always have your self-defense weapon ready when walking alone, especially at night.
I hope you keep these in mind and remember: always be safe, be alert, and stay prepared.
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