Crime is an unfortunate reality of life. Some crimes are more or less common than others, but there is always a risk of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Violent crime is classified as assault and battery, sexual assault, murder, and others that cause direct physical harm to an individual.

Women are more likely than men to be victims of violent crime, but it can happen to anyone. Attackers can be people you may know (which is most often the case) or strangers. 

Because the risk of crime is ever-present, you must learn how to protect yourself and practice safety whenever possible. Many criminals are opportunistic, which means there are certain things more likely to cause a violent crime that is often common sense. Keep reading below for tips on how to keep yourself safe.

• Avoid jogging or engaging in activities in the evening, early morning, and night.

• Avoid wearing headphones when out in public, as they can cause you to be less aware of your surroundings.

• If you go out with friends, stay together and NEVER accept a drink from a stranger.

• Keep something on your person you can use in self-defense if needed. Pepper spray, stun guns, or keeping a key between your knuckles can help give you an advantage if someone is attempting a violent crime on you.

• Don’t wear or carry anything too valuable on your person, as thieves are always looking for an opportunity to steal valuables so they can turn around and sell them. Keep a bare minimum of money and credit cards on you, and just enough for the day or night out.

• Learn self-defense tactics by trying out karate, Krav Maga, or other self-defense classes to help you be more prepared if an attacker is after you.

• Walk confidently and be aware of your surroundings. Fumbling with keys, cell phones, or money can put you in a bad position and make you more likely to be an easy target for an attacker.

• If you plan on being out, tell friends and family where you intend on going, and don’t deviate from the area you tell them you’re going to be. There have been many cases where people have seemed to vanish into thin air and no one knows where they last were, which can hamper rescue and investigation efforts, sometimes for months or even years.

• Lock doors, windows, and any other entryways whenever you leave home or leave your car.

• In the event you are attacked, you will likely not be able to think clearly. To help mitigate this, come up with a word that would be easy for you to recall and text or call in the event of an emergency that tells friends and loved ones you are in danger.

• Do your best to remember the features of an attacker; their gender, how they’re dressed and what they might be wearing, and any other features that might stand out to authorities such as birthmarks, piercings, tattoos, and others that can make them easier to identify if they get away. This could include the type of car they drive, license plate numbers, and sometimes even a name if you hear it.

To learn more tips about how to protect yourself from violent crime, click here.