Recent attempted rapes and abductions in mall parking lots in the Twin City area have prompted this month's topic. Being aware of your surroundings and walking confidently lessens your chances of becoming a victim. Attackers are opportunists who most often choose females who are preoccupied and unaware. While this article focuses mostly on women, several of the tips apply to men and children as well.

• Have your keys out and ready to gain access quickly to your vehicle.
   
• If you spot someone acting suspicious determine whether it is safer to return to the mall, restaurant or building that you came from or if it is safer & quicker to gain access to your vehicle.
   
• Learn to scan the parking lot or area that you are in for anyone that is acting suspicious. If you do spot suspicious activity call for mall or building security or for the police.
   
• Check to see if security provides escorts to cars. Most malls & university campus's & many buildings offer this service and it is often underutilized.
   
• Make it a habit to lock your car doors immediately upon entry and then start your vehicle. Should someone approach your vehicle, this gives you a means to protect yourself and a means to get away quickly.
   
• Should someone attempt to grab you and force you into a vehicle, fight back with everything you have. Make a scene and scream fire! Studies have shown that more people respond to hearing fire than they do if they hear someone yelling for help.
   
• If an armed person forces you into a vehicle, follow his instructions and if you are a passenger look for an opportunity to jump out or to grab the wheel causing a minor accident. If you are forced to drive - be prepared to cause an accident. Ensure that you have your seatbelt fastened and drive into a fence or a tree remembering to crash the abductors side of the vehicle.
   
• If you are abducted consider using your cell phone to call 911 with the volume on low so the abductor cannot hear the dispatcher. Start talking to the abductor asking him to pull over at the Amoco station or the Sam's Club on 134^th Street. Give as much of a play by play as you can and talk about the kind of car that you are in. Give any type of information that would help police locate you without creating too much suspicion.
   
• Attempt to remain calm. Your mind can play tricks on you if you allow yourself to be panicked. Force yourself to think about opportunities for escape.
   
• At all times trust your gut instincts. We often ignore our instincts and rationalize a situation. Our instincts are a built in alarm of danger, often an unconscious assessment of our circumstance.

© 2004 Violence Free

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