A few years back, I went through the Rape Crisis Center’s training as a victim advocate, and one of the first things we learned was that the best way to avoid becoming a victim is to learn how to not act like a victim and think like a victim. Research has shown that once a person has been victimized, they are actually statistically more likely to be victimized again than someone who has never been assaulted.

The question begs – why? The answer is simple. Perpetrators, the assailants, actually look for certain visible clues that let them know whether a person is an easy target for attack. One of the best self defense techniques is to appear confident and secure, and someone who has been victimized before will likely appear less confident, and they will be more inclined to appear nervous or distracted, making them an easier target.

So most self defense classes work first on teaching people how to carry themselves and avoid being attacked or assaulted, because the best way to defend yourself is to not have to defend yourself at all.

There are many ways to reduce your chance of becoming an assault victim, and this article is going to touch on a few of them.

Basic Self Defense Tip #1

Use common sense.

Don’t be in dark and secluded places alone or even in small groups. If it’s late, try to stay inside, but if you have to go out, stay in well lit, populated areas, and go straight to your destination. If you can, try to always go with at least one other person or a group.

Avoid stairwells when alone and don’t be afraid to skip stepping into an elevator car if the person inside makes you uncomfortable. Never go to the restroom in a bar or restaurant alone. Stay out of dark alleys and entryways. Just use a bit of common sense to avoid being in potentially dangerous locations.

Basic Self Defense Tip #2

Walk with assurance and confidence.

It may seem like a simple thing, but it is proven that those who sexually or physically assault others actually watch for certain clues that make a potential victim look like an easy target. It’s much easier to sneak up and grab someone who walks with their head down, shuffling along, not paying attention to what is going on around them than it is to sneak up on someone who walks quickly, head held high, and looking around at their environment.

It doesn’t matter if it’s daytime or nighttime, crowded location or not, keep these things in mind:

* Walk at a steady pace.

* Stand straight with your shoulders back and head held up (not looking down at the ground).

* Look around you and be aware of your environment.

* Don’t do other things while walking, such as looking through your purse, talking on a cell phone, or anything else, because distraction makes it easy for someone to grab you or your belongings.

* Pay attention!

* Act confident and self assured.

* Keep your hands on your possessions. If you carry a purse, don’t let it hang idly by your side from your shoulder, but rather, keep one hand on the purse itself.

Basic Self Defense Tip #3

Your voice is a self defense weapon.

Learn to use your voice. This is true of both men and women, though it is particularly important for women, since women’s voices tend to be higher pitched then men’s. If someone accosts you in public, scream – yell at them with a deep authoritative voice. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to yell out loud.

Even if you are wrong and the person had no intention of attacking you, better safe than sorry, and any normal person would not begrudge you a chance to protect yourself if you truly were uncomfortable.

Yell, “NO! Go away! Leave me alone!” if the person is just making you uncomfortable.

If the person actually physically touches you or tries to take any of your items you can scream, “Call the police! Call 911! Emergency!”

Don’t be afraid to swear, cuss loudly, call the assailant ugly names. These are things an assailant will not expect. The shock of the situation alone might prevent an attack.

Basic Self Defense Tip #4

Be prepared and be aware.

When walking from a building to your vehicle, have your keys in your hand ready to go. Find your car keys while still inside the building, where there are others around and you are secure. Remember in tip #2 we talked about how being distracted allows an assailant a better opportunity to make you a victim, so don’t let digging in your purse, pockets, or briefcase for car keys be your distraction.

The same goes for leaving your car to enter your home or office building. If you require a key for entry, have your keys in your hand before you exit the car and keep them in your hand until you are inside the building safely. If you can, try to always walk to and from your car in groups or at least with one other person rather than alone.

Of course, pay attention to your surroundings even if you are not alone. Check out the perimeter of your vehicle when you approach and look for any shadows, people lurking around the car, and look for someone who might be hiding or crouched behind the car or other cars.

Another easy weapon to protect you is your car keys. If you place one key between each finger, you have a powerful and painful weapon should someone try to grab or assault you.

Basic Self Defense Tip #5

Have a cell phone.

Cell phones can be a distraction, but they have been known to save lives too. While you should not walk down the street or drive while talking on a cell phone, having a cell phone on your person can make a huge difference in case of an accident or assault. Purses and briefcases can be snatched, so it’s best to wear your cell phone on your person or keep it on your pocket. The sooner you call for help, the faster help can arrive.

This is another reason to be aware of your surroundings too. Unlike a land line phone, cell phones don’t tell 911 or emergency operators where you are, so you need to know where you are and how to tell someone to reach you if you have been assaulted or if there are suspicious people around.

Also, land lines can be cut or disconnected should someone break into your home. Keeping a cell phone by your bed can save your life if someone breaks in your home.

If you cannot afford a cellular phone plan, many local cellular phone companies will allow you to pay a one time fee to purchase an emergency cellular phone that will directly connect only to emergency services. It’s worth looking into.

Basic Self Defense Tip #6

Take a self defense class.

Of course, none of these basic self defense tips will guarantee you won’t be assaulted. A basic self defense course is always a good investment in case you are assaulted. Many local police departments offer basic self defense classes for free or at low cost, and any martial arts training centers should have basic self defense courses. The domestic violence centers can probably tell you where to find self defense classes. The YMCA and civic organizations may also provide basic self defense classes.

These classes will teach you techniques to escape an assailant so you can make it to safety. These classes are for men, women, and children, but some classes might be children only or women only, so that the class participants are more comfortable talking about personal fears.

Basic Self Defense Tip #7

Carry pepper spray and personal safety alarms.

On Amazon.com right now you can buy a small can of pepper spray that is a keychain. Since you are always going to carry your keys in your hand when walking to and from your car, having the pepper spray is a nice back up basic self defense tool. Pepper spray is very painful and it will temporarily impair your assailant allowing you time to get away, but it won’t do any permanent damage.

A personal safety alarm can also be attached to a keychain or a belt buckle, and will emit a loud, high pitched alarm when triggered that can alert others around you to a problem if you are unable to scream or otherwise attract attention.

Many automobiles come with or can be equipped with panic buttons that will set off the car alarm or the car horn in the event of an emergency. Learn whether your car has one of these features and learn how to use it before you need it.

Basic Self Defense Tip #8

Learn to use a weapon.

A weapon can sometimes be your best defense against assault. However, having a weapon you have not been trained to use can be even more dangerous during an attack than having no weapon at all. If you choose to arm yourself with a weapon, be sure you know how to use the weapon and have been properly trained in its use. For firearms especially, you need to know your state and city laws and ordinances about carrying concealed weapons and be sure you follow the rules and the safety guidelines for that weapon.

Basic Self Defense Tip #9

Keep doors and windows locked and secured.

Keeping the windows and doors to your home, business and automobile locked and secured, especially when you are alone, can help prevent many types of assault. Unless a criminal has cased your premises or vehicle before an attack, they will likely go for an easier score if your home is secure.

Home security systems and working dead bolts and door locks and window locks are essential. For the car, automatic door locks are a good safety feature to quickly lock all doors with the press of one button. When parked in a parking lot or driving down a dark or deserted street, always have your car doors locked and your windows rolled up.

Do not park in empty or unlit parking areas, but if you do have to park, find a well lit area or parking lot of a business that is open and keep your doors locked while in the vehicle. Keep your gas tank at least half full all the time so you have enough gas to make it to a well lit spot and you don’t have to worry about running out of gas in a bad area.

Basic Self Defense Tip #10

Trust your intuition.

Intuition is that little nudge that tells you something might not be quite right. If a person feels uncomfortable to you, even if you can’t put your finger on why, listen to that feeling. We are taught not to judge people without knowing them and not to be rude, but if your inner voice is telling you something’s not right, being a tad rude is better than being assaulted.

If you feel uncomfortable, leave the area or situation immediately or move to a more brightly lit or populated area and mingle amongst the crowd. NEVER go home if you feel you are being followed – keep driving or walking to a public and crowded place.

If you think someone is following you in your car, make four right hand turns. Basically, this will make you go in a complete circle, and no one who is not following you would actually turn four times to the right. If the person does turn four times to follow you, drive immediately to a busier street or to your local police station and do not get out of your car until you know they are gone. In fact, if you have a cell phone, you can even call the police while driving and inform them of where you are and that you think someone is following you.

Trust your instinct – go with your gut. You might feel slightly embarrassed if it turns out you were wrong, but think about it… I’d rather be embarrassed 20 times for being wrong than to be attacked, sexually assaulted, or mugged. Wouldn’t you?