Typically a potential attacker will put his target through a testing period. He will be assessing the circumstances and his chance of completing his plans. This will include conversation and/or an attempt to dominate the target. It is during this period that women should key in on their intuition and the attackers behavior. The situation may be becoming violent or abusive.
Choose a confident demeanor and body language, use assertive communication, refuse to be controlled.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Safety Tips for Targets of Stalking
The next several blogs will have suggestions on how to keep yourself safe if you are being stalked or harassed. Stalkers can be someone who you are/were in a relationship with, a coworker, acquaintance or even a stranger. These are general suggestions which may not be appropriate in every situation – please pick and choose the ones that seem relevant to your situation. Following these suggestions can't guarantee your safety, but it could help make you safer.
General Safety Strategies:
• Stop all contact and communication with the person stalking or harassing you. Responding provides reinforcement for his/her behavior.
• Carry a cell phone with you. Dial 911 if you ever feel imminent danger. Keep handy or memorize emergency phone numbers that you can use in case of an emergency, e.g. the number of the local police station.
• ALWAYS trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, reach out for help, even if nothing immediately dangerous is happening.
• Have a safe place in mind you can to go to in an emergency. Exa,ples are a police station, place of worship, public area, the home of a family member or friend (unknown to the stalker), or a domestic violence shelter. If someone is following you, it is generally not a good idea to go home or to a shelter, choose a public safe place.*
• Try not to travel alone. Always vary your routes to and from work or school, the grocery store, and any other places regularly visited. By changing your daily routes, it could make it more difficult for someone to learn your routine. If you run or walk for exercise, you might want to get an exercise buddy to go with you.
• Attend a self defense seminar and/or class. You will gain confidence and skills that may very well save your life. Confidence is the unconquerable enemy of fear!
• Be aware of how much identifying information you are posting on the Internet through social networking sites and online purchases. You may want to select the highest security settings on any social networking accounts and think carefully before giving out your personal information through online purchases. More on this in upcoming blogs.
• Alert the three credit bureaus and ask to have a fraud alert put on your credit reports: Experian (888) 690-8086, Equifax (800) 525-6285, and Trans Union (800) 680-7289. A stalker may try to obtain your Social Security number and/or mother's maiden name to use this information to obtain your credit information. Putting an alert on your credit could help to prevent this and possible fraudulent activity and/or identity theft.**
* http://www.safehorizon.org/page.php?nav=rl&page=whatdoifstalked
**http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs14-stk.html
Credit to www.womenslaw.org from which this article was adapted.
General Safety Strategies:
• Stop all contact and communication with the person stalking or harassing you. Responding provides reinforcement for his/her behavior.
• Carry a cell phone with you. Dial 911 if you ever feel imminent danger. Keep handy or memorize emergency phone numbers that you can use in case of an emergency, e.g. the number of the local police station.
• ALWAYS trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, reach out for help, even if nothing immediately dangerous is happening.
• Have a safe place in mind you can to go to in an emergency. Exa,ples are a police station, place of worship, public area, the home of a family member or friend (unknown to the stalker), or a domestic violence shelter. If someone is following you, it is generally not a good idea to go home or to a shelter, choose a public safe place.*
• Try not to travel alone. Always vary your routes to and from work or school, the grocery store, and any other places regularly visited. By changing your daily routes, it could make it more difficult for someone to learn your routine. If you run or walk for exercise, you might want to get an exercise buddy to go with you.
• Attend a self defense seminar and/or class. You will gain confidence and skills that may very well save your life. Confidence is the unconquerable enemy of fear!
• Be aware of how much identifying information you are posting on the Internet through social networking sites and online purchases. You may want to select the highest security settings on any social networking accounts and think carefully before giving out your personal information through online purchases. More on this in upcoming blogs.
• Alert the three credit bureaus and ask to have a fraud alert put on your credit reports: Experian (888) 690-8086, Equifax (800) 525-6285, and Trans Union (800) 680-7289. A stalker may try to obtain your Social Security number and/or mother's maiden name to use this information to obtain your credit information. Putting an alert on your credit could help to prevent this and possible fraudulent activity and/or identity theft.**
* http://www.safehorizon.org/page.php?nav=rl&page=whatdoifstalked
**http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs14-stk.html
Credit to www.womenslaw.org from which this article was adapted.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Your First Line of Defense...
What would it be?
When you are walking to your car, what gives you peace of mind and reassurance?
Dialing 911?
Talking to a friend while walking?
You have seconds to respond to an imminent danger. A 911 or friends response will take minutes, at best. In a violent attack or home invasion for that matter, it is unlikely an attacker is going to give you minutes. So again, what is your first line of defense?
While calling 911 is important, it should't be your primary line of defense. It’s too unreliable – you have seconds and it will take them minutes to arrive. If your home is burning, are you going to sit inside, call 911, and then wait, inside, for the fire department? I don't think so!
You are the first line of defense for you and your loved ones. Be aware. Be prepared! Know how to protect yourself!
And remember, when dialing 911 from a cell phone, they don't know your immediate location. You have to give them that.
When you are walking to your car, what gives you peace of mind and reassurance?
Dialing 911?
Talking to a friend while walking?
You have seconds to respond to an imminent danger. A 911 or friends response will take minutes, at best. In a violent attack or home invasion for that matter, it is unlikely an attacker is going to give you minutes. So again, what is your first line of defense?
While calling 911 is important, it should't be your primary line of defense. It’s too unreliable – you have seconds and it will take them minutes to arrive. If your home is burning, are you going to sit inside, call 911, and then wait, inside, for the fire department? I don't think so!
You are the first line of defense for you and your loved ones. Be aware. Be prepared! Know how to protect yourself!
And remember, when dialing 911 from a cell phone, they don't know your immediate location. You have to give them that.
Monday, September 13, 2010
According to Crime in Texas 2008, provided by Uniform Crime Reporting program.
The estimated number of rapes committed in Texas for 2008 was 8,004. Of all reported forcible rapes, only 7% were attempts, 93% were rapes by force. More rapes were committed in April than any other month. Rape arrestees were 75% White, and 88% adults, with the highest number of arrests made in the 20-24 age bracket.
Changing Statistics Together!!
KUTA!
The estimated number of rapes committed in Texas for 2008 was 8,004. Of all reported forcible rapes, only 7% were attempts, 93% were rapes by force. More rapes were committed in April than any other month. Rape arrestees were 75% White, and 88% adults, with the highest number of arrests made in the 20-24 age bracket.
Changing Statistics Together!!
KUTA!
Monday, April 26, 2010
What Others are Saying about Regina's Seminars
"The fact that 1 in 12 American women will be put under surveillance at some point in her life is more than enough reason for every mom, sister, cousin, grandma, and friend to attend this seminar. The techniques are simple and reproducible for every woman. It gave me confidence, removed the fear and inspired me to 'Stand up Fighting!'
It takes but only one minute into Regina's presentation to realize her mission is one of empowering women with the knowlege and techniques to defend and protect themselves. Her desire to share this information is evident in her every word and action. You need only sign up and show up for her seminar to see what I mean."
Dr. Debra Coody, Pinehurst Chiropractic Center
"You teach the class so we can truly understand, how important it is to always be alert when we are working, shopping or just having a good time with friends. We get to comfortable in our lifestyles, I love learning how to protect myself or family from any harm at any cost." Janet Petry
"I believe every woman should take Regina Rowley's awareness seminar. Regina shows you how to be more observant of your surroundings and to be alert for certain hazards. Whether you want to learn some techniques to help protect yourself or just increase your awareness, this seminar is for you." Sharon Zunt
"Regina’s knowledge and understanding of smart self-defense is impressive. She is compassionate but strong, and committed to helping others learn how to protect themselves from compromising situations and bad people." Jennifer Paulson
"The Tips and Techniques you taught us are Invaluable.. and your SafeSmart Seminars are FUN and EDUCATIONAL. I Highly recommend them." Vina LaRose
It takes but only one minute into Regina's presentation to realize her mission is one of empowering women with the knowlege and techniques to defend and protect themselves. Her desire to share this information is evident in her every word and action. You need only sign up and show up for her seminar to see what I mean."
Dr. Debra Coody, Pinehurst Chiropractic Center
"You teach the class so we can truly understand, how important it is to always be alert when we are working, shopping or just having a good time with friends. We get to comfortable in our lifestyles, I love learning how to protect myself or family from any harm at any cost." Janet Petry
"I believe every woman should take Regina Rowley's awareness seminar. Regina shows you how to be more observant of your surroundings and to be alert for certain hazards. Whether you want to learn some techniques to help protect yourself or just increase your awareness, this seminar is for you." Sharon Zunt
"Regina’s knowledge and understanding of smart self-defense is impressive. She is compassionate but strong, and committed to helping others learn how to protect themselves from compromising situations and bad people." Jennifer Paulson
"The Tips and Techniques you taught us are Invaluable.. and your SafeSmart Seminars are FUN and EDUCATIONAL. I Highly recommend them." Vina LaRose
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Random Attack?
Very few attacks are actually random.
Attackers do some degree of planning, including surveillance. They will either put a specific woman under surveillance or a certain location for a target of opportunity.
Kelsey Smith from Kansas became a target of opportunity. Erwin Hall followed her in and out of a local discount store. Basic awareness training could have prepared Kelsey to recognize the signs of surveillance. Simple techniques training could have helped her prevent abduction and strangulation. Smartsafe is dedicated to providing awareness, prevention and self-protection training so attacks and tragedies like this can be avoided.
Keep Up The Awareness!
Attackers do some degree of planning, including surveillance. They will either put a specific woman under surveillance or a certain location for a target of opportunity.
Kelsey Smith from Kansas became a target of opportunity. Erwin Hall followed her in and out of a local discount store. Basic awareness training could have prepared Kelsey to recognize the signs of surveillance. Simple techniques training could have helped her prevent abduction and strangulation. Smartsafe is dedicated to providing awareness, prevention and self-protection training so attacks and tragedies like this can be avoided.
Keep Up The Awareness!
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