Personal Safety and the 5 Stages of Violent Crime

[ninjanurse]

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community.

These thoughts on personal safety are based on the "5 Stages of Violent Crime." I have modified and outlined them to make it easy to use for a short presentation to a class or small group, or addition to a weekly safety "mat-chat." The "5 Stages of Violent Crime" is a system used by police, military and firearms instructors around the world as a training and teaching tool and includes the following stages. It is clear that it is far more important to avoid unsafe situations altogether and never put yourself in the position to satisfy even one of them.

1. Intent: This involves the will of the aggressor to commit violence. It can be preplanned or spontaneous based on the circumstances. While no one knows what is going on in a person's mind, there can be subtle visual and verbal cues that something is not right.

2. Interview: This is where the aggressor decides if you are a good target. He or she may strike up a conversation, enter your personal space or just observe how you conduct yourself, etc.

3. Positioning: Criminals will put themselves in positions that make it easy to attack you and at the same time avoid detection by others. They can utilize surprise, corner you physically before you realize it or get you to let your guard down by engaging in conversation. Either way, you are trapped before you know it and the intent is now clear.

4. Attack: While the amount of violence may vary, once the first three stages have been satisfied, the physical attack will occur.

5. Reaction: Once the initial crime has been committed, the criminal may react to what he or she has done by committing additional violence, for example, a simple robbery may turn into a rape. You are at risk for this until you are completely out of the criminal's sight and physical area.

Personal Safety Outline

Here are some questions to ask yourself, as well as some tips and pointers designed to help you and your students learn how to avoid these situations.

Heighten Your Awareness

Who is a threat?

What are threats?

Where are threats found?

When are threats present?

Why could you be threatened?

How could you be threatened?

Who are you with?

What are you doing?

Where are you doing it?

When are you doing it?

Why are you doing it?

How are you doing it?

What things could you use to protect yourself?

Eliminate Intent

Don't travel alone.

Don't give personal information out to people you don't know.

Don't talk to strangers or accept rides from people you don't know.

File a "flight plan" - tell someone where you are going.

If you are uncomfortable, leave immediately.

Deflect bad situations by making excuses or lying.

Dress appropriately.

Eliminate Opportunity

Don't walk alone or take short cuts.

Don't walk at night.

Choose well lighted, well traveled routes.

Keep control over your possessions and drinks.

Drugs and/or alcohol decrease your ability to make safe choices.

Eliminate Position

Scan the room before you enter.

Walk against the traffic.

Cross the street if someone approaches.

Know your personal space.

Keep people out of your "danger zone."

Plan your escape routes.

Now What?

"STOP!" - yell, scream, make a commotion.

Run to places where people are.

Go for the eyes, not the groin.

Use any means to get away - never give up!

Stranger Danger

Walk in groups.

Never accept gifts or rides.

Never take shortcuts.

Don't open the door for strangers.

Never tell someone you are home alone.

If followed, seek out other people.

Never leave school without permission.

Yell, scream and say "NO!" if approached.

Keep strangers out of your "danger zone."

Internet Safety

Never give out personal information.

Tell someone right away if something makes you uncomfortable.

Don't agree to meet someone you do not know or who you have not met with your parents.

Don't email people your parents don't know or visit websites you are not allowed to see.

Drugs

Drugs sold on the street are made with chemicals that can cause brain damage or kill you.

Do not take drugs from friends or people you don't know.

Prescription drugs should only be taken as directed.

Never take someone else's medication.

Alcohol can be dangerous – if you drink too much you can die.

Never mix alcohol with medication or drugs of any kind.

Drugs and alcohol impair your judgment and put you in danger.

With these thoughts in mind, your students should be more adequately prepared to protect themselves from becoming a victim of violent crime.

[Patrick]

Thank you for the submission, Heidi.

Patrick

[MasterPain]

Seems like it's written for young people, but still holds relevance for adults. Good stuff.

[sensei8]

Solid article across the board Heidi!! I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

With your permission, I'd love to present this to our entire student body in and out of the Hombu at our upcoming annual testing cycle this June/July held at the Hombu.

It is said..."If one acts like a victim, then they'll appear as a victim to any attacker." It's disturbing when I see/hear my students act before they think about the "WHAT IF" factor.

For example, not one of our students are allowed to wait for their parents outside....NO! Parents are required to COME INSIDE and sign their kid(s) out with the proper ID that matches our "Kid Aware" cards on file. Also, parents have to bring them inside as well, and be signed in for class...or no class!!

Thanks for the article Heidi.

[ninjanurse]

Thanks-I'd be honored Sensei8...you may use it all you want!!!! It was written with kids/youth in mind MP-particularly middle school/jr. high but it can be easily adapted to the audience.

[bushido_man96]

Very nice little piece. Brief and to the point, hits all the important points.

Thanks for pieceing this together. Very helpful.

[vantheman]

Nice outline

It's a little scary how some people can ignore such simple rules

VTM

[bushido_man96]

Nice outline

It's a little scary how some people can ignore such simple rules

VTM

I think it has more to do with people just not understanding how fast they can become a victim. I'm not calling them naive, but I think most times people don't realize how often dangerous people are actually around them.

I came to realize this when I started working in our local county jail 5 years ago. Then, you start seeing people we've had in jail out in public; at Wal Mart, at the grocery store, at public events, coaching kids in sports. Not everyone is privy to that kind of experience.

[DWx]

Great article

I think people (not on here) do sometimes forget that self-defense is less about techniques and more about awareness and not being an idiot.

[sensei8]

Thanks-I'd be honored Sensei8...you may use it all you want!!!! It was written with kids/youth in mind MP-particularly middle school/jr. high but it can be easily adapted to the audience.

Thanks Heidi!! I've copied it and I've sent it to the necessary department(s) at our Hombu, for them to put their special touches for this years annual testing cycle.