When bad guys pick targets, they don’t just look at appearance and clothing; they focus on a few key aspects.
Criminal psychology research shows that when bad guys choose targets, they’re more interested in finding people who seem more vulnerable to victimization. These targets often have the following characteristics:
Walking alone
People who walk alone are more likely to be targeted because they lack the support and protection of companions and have a harder time getting help when they’re in danger. Plan your route ahead of time, choose well-lit, busy streets, and avoid secluded, dimly lit paths. Before you go out, let your friends and family know your itinerary, destination, and estimated arrival time, and keep in touch regularly. Carry some self-defense tools like pepper spray or alarms to deal with potential dangers. Join self-protection training courses to learn how to handle possible attacks and improve your self-protection skills.
Lacking confident body language
People who look down at their phones, don’t pay attention to their surroundings, and show nervous or uneasy body language are more likely to be targeted. So, we need to be brave and bold, maintain a confident state, and give ourselves more encouragement. Keep a straight posture and avoid actions like looking down or shrugging, as these can convey a lack of confidence or disinterest.
Showing submissiveness
People who show compliance and submissiveness are more likely to be targeted. They usually follow orders easily and are more likely to compromise when threatened. Developing the ability to analyze, judge, and solve problems independently can help raise awareness of independent thinking and reduce the likelihood of blind obedience. Confidence can help us stand firm in the face of authority and demands. By increasing self-confidence, we can better resist the pressure to conform.
Bad guys also consider the crime scene when choosing targets. The following scenarios may make victims more vulnerable and easier to target:
Remote locations: In remote, sparsely populated areas, victims have a harder time seeking help, increasing the likelihood of crime and boosting the confidence of criminals.
Nighttime: Poor lighting at night makes people more likely to let their guard down, making it easier for bad guys to strike.
Crowded places: In crowded places like buses and subways, although security measures are strict and there are many people around, which reduces the likelihood of crime to some extent, the complexity of the environment due to the crowd allows bad guys to approach victims using the chaos, making it hard for them to notice and resist. Even if they resist and notice, it’s often hard to identify the perpetrator.
Criminal psychology research also finds that certain groups are more likely to be targeted, including:
Teenagers: They often lack social experience and have poor ability to deal with danger, making it easier for bad guys to succeed.
Elderly people: They may be physically weaker and have poor ability to deal with danger, making them targets.
Vulnerable groups: People with disabilities, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups may become targets due to limited mobility and poor resistance.
Based on criminal psychology research, we can conclude the following tips to better protect ourselves:
Enhance safety awareness: Always stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings, avoiding behaviors like looking down at your phone or not paying attention to your environment.
Avoid walking alone: Try to walk with friends or family, avoiding walking alone, especially at night and for long distances.
Establish a confident image: Display confident and decisive body language, avoiding showing nervousness or submissiveness.
Choose safe places: Avoid staying in remote, sparsely populated areas for long periods, and prefer places with good lighting and crowds.
Improve response capabilities: Learn methods to deal with danger, such as self-defense and alarms, and seek professional training if necessary.
Bad guys are not most likely to target women who dress provocatively or look good. On the contrary, these people are often too distinctive in appearance, making bad guys hesitant to act. Therefore, they are more likely to target those who are more vulnerable, in vulnerable scenarios, and belong to specific groups.
Thus, only by enhancing safety awareness, avoiding dangerous situations, and improving the ability to deal with danger, can we better protect ourselves and reduce the risk of being targeted by bad guys.
