SD advice

[the beast]

I always tell people to be alert, and walk with confidence because predators are looking for victims or easy targets they are usually not looking for any type of confrontation.

[JohnC]

B96,

To echo Beast's comment, I think that brings up a more general point, most folks think of these attacks as being spur-of-the-moment or random. This is not borne out by studies. Instead, studies show that victims are targetted, even if it is as a target of opportunity and, in many cases, the perp will engage in one or more "testing" behaviors to see how good a target you are. If you 'pass' then he attacks. If you 'fail' he moves on to find a better potential victim. The attacker is not in the game to get his head handed to him but to hand you your's. Hence, the signalling " I AM NOT PREY " approach to SD.

[bushido_man96]

Good information, John and beast.

I try to keep confidence as a high priority. I try to walk with my chin up, and with an open eye around. Teaching others to do the same is important, too.