Learn How Your Level of Awareness Can Save Your Life

Violence against women has reached epidemic proportions. According to the 2008 National Criminal Victimization Survey, U.S. residents age 12 years or older experienced approximately 21 million crimes. This does not include the 6 out of every 100,00 people who fall victim to murder each year. 4.8 million women are assaulted or raped each year by an intimate partner. The numbers are alarming. Regardless of whether the attack comes from a known or unknown assailant, your best avoidance technique is in being aware of what is taking place around you.

In stranger altercations the assailant is looking for an easy target. He wants someone distracted, docile and disengaged. You can decrease the chances of being a target of crime by being aware of your surroundings, having a well rehearsed plan of action and knowing a few basic self-defense strategies. This piece will focus on awareness. See my other content to learn how to make a safety plan and learn basic self-defense moves.

It is not just a cliché to say your mind is your greatest weapon. You must prepare your mind to do battle with an assailant because statistics show it is a very real possibility that you may have to do so at some point. It is imperative that you decide right now you will not be a victim. A victim is a helpless individual forced to endure an attack. You are a strong, intelligent woman with many weapons at your disposal. You respond to a threat with a precise, deliberate and practiced plan. Your new mantra is "I may become someone's target but I will never be a victim". Say it aloud right now. Say it again. And again. Keep on saying it until it is embedded in the core of your being.

In order for a crime to take place there must be motive and opportunity. Make certain your behavior is not providing the opportunity. Take a lesson from Natalee Holloway and Stephany Flores; never get into cars or go to hotel rooms with men you don't know. Even taking a friend along doesn't guarantee your safety. It takes only one gun to kill two people. Don't go jogging, take a walk or go to an ATM teller after dark. Listen to your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, don't do it.

Begin seeing your world as opposed to just looking at it. Get into the habit of taking a moment to absorb your surroundings before getting out of your car, going outside or walking through a parking lot. Look for things that seem out of place. Do you see someone wearing heavy clothing in the summer? Is that car with tinted windows sitting by the front door waiting on someone? Why is that man walking back and forth through the parking lot? As you practice awareness in the places you frequent out-of-place things will draw your attention.

When driving, be aware of those around you by glancing in your mirrors periodically. In areas you regularly travel, you should have multiple routes to take. You also need to plan for how you will handle a flat tire or other mechanical problems. Where will you go? Whom will you call?

Situational awareness should not be lost even when you're home. We don't expect crime to come to our front door but sometimes it does. Exercise safety in your home by keeping your doors locked at all times. Never go to bed with your windows or screened doors open, even if they are not at ground level. Make certain that access can't be gained through open garage doors and be aware of people driving and walking through your neighborhood. Criminals sometimes case potential targets.

Awareness is easy to obtain, it takes only practice. When you begin practicing, the first thing you'll notice is how unaware you've been. When you are actively aware of the areas you frequent, you quickly notice changes. Recognizing subtle changes can mean the difference between life and death.

Resources

http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=9

Arvin, Kymber; Department of Corrections Consultant

http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=dcdetail&iid=245

Caudill, Craig; Martial Arts & Combatives Instructor, Bluegrass Budokai