Every day we hear about more violent crime.  Things seem just a little less safer.  However, what is called random acts are not that random.  Criminals choose their victims, often carefully.  In my research into criminology and victimology,  I have found a number of factors that you can control to avoid becoming a victim.  Some of them seem strange, so I'll cite the reason behind the thought.

Disclaimer:  These tips will not guarantee that you will avoid being a victim of violent crime.  But it might give a violent criminal pause or deflect his attention.

#1
Do not go out alone, especially at night, when you are sick or under stress.
When you are sick or under stress, your defenses are down.  You are preoccupied with your illness or your problems.  Criminals look for the person who is distracted.

#2
Walk in a regular rhythm.
Sounds strange, doesn't it?  But when criminals were shown a film of people walking down a sidewalk and asked who would they victimize; they picked the person who walked in an irregular rhythm every time.

#3
Keep a distance of ten feet or more between you and bushes and other plants of thick foliage.
This should explain itself.

#4
If you have to walk by foliage, or anything that could conceal somebody, look under the concealment.
You are looking for feet.  Yes, criminals can crouch.  But they can't float.

#5
When going around the corner of a building, always swing wide.
I found that one out when I turned the corner and almost ran into a co-worker.

#6
Keep your head up high and your back straight.
Violent offenders look for passive people.  Slouching with your head down makes you appear passive.  In order to correct bad posture, exercise your back.  On a personal note:  I used to slouch badly.  I could even slouch with a book on my head.  Until I worked at a job that required heavy lifting, now I couldn't slouch even if I wanted to.

#7
Scan your surroundings.
Violent offenders look for people who are less than alert.  By "having your head on swivel" a violent offender knows that you are more likely to spot him (or her), and ruin any plans for a blitz attack.

#8
Keep your keys in a handy place.
This is especially for women, since they have purses.  Fumbling for keys distracts you and makes you an easy target.

#9
If you spot anybody staring at you, stare back. And don't smile.
If you stare at a violent offender without any expression, the offender knows that you've spotted him and that you are confident.  Not many offenders will attack a confident person.

#10
Try not to stand out in a crowd.
This has nothing to do with how sexy you look.  But people who dress in unusual clothing are more likely to be crime victims since they attract attention, including the offender's.

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