NCJ Number
46943
Date Published
1978
Length
223 pages
Annotation
METHODS OF PREVENTING MUGGING, RAPE, AND ASSAULT ARE SUGGESTED, AND VERBAL AND PHYSICAL TECHNIQUES OF SELF-PROTECTION IN THE COURSE OF AN INCIDENT ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
MUGGERS ARE CATEGORIZED AS 'MODEL' MUGGERS (I.E., DESPERATE FOR MONEY OR PROFESSIONAL MUGGERS BECAUSE OF THE RELATIVE UNLIKELIHOOD OF GETTING CAUGHT), 'PREDATORS' WHO WISH TO FRIGHTEN OR INJURE THEIR VICTIMS, OR YOUNG STATUS SEEKERS. MEANS OF AVOIDING THE DANGER OF BECOMING A LIKELY TARGET FOR A MUGGER ARE DISCUSSED. SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES ARE DESCRIBED FOR SITUATIONS WHEN PREVENTION HAS FAILED; OVERCOMING FEAR AND TAKING STEPS DETER OR DISABLE AN ASSAILANT ARE EMPHASIZED. ACTUAL INCIDENTS OF ATTEMPTED MUGGINGS ARE OFFERED AS EXAMPLES OF METHODS TO THWART THE MUGGER. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE USED ALONG WITH DETAILED EXPLANATIONS TO PRESENT EASY-TO-LEARN TECHNIQUES FOR COMBATING AN ASSAILANT WHO IS UNARMED OR ARMED WITH A GUN OR KNIFE. ALTHOUGH THE USE OF FORCE AGAINST A MUGGER IS EXTENSIVELY DISCUSSED, FORCE IS CONSIDERED A LAST RESORT WHEN OTHER MEANS HAVE FAILED TO DIVERT AN INTENTION TO DO BODILY HARM. CONCLUDING THE INCIDENT WITHOUT INJURY IS GIVEN HIGHEST PRIORITY, AND AVOIDING THE LOSS OF PROPERTY AND APPREHENDING THE CRIMINAL ARE CONSIDERED SECONDARY GOALS. CHECKLISTS OF SAFETY MEASURES AND SELF-EVALUATION TESTS ARE PROVIDED. INTERVIEWS WITH EX-OFFENDERS GIVE INSIGHTS INTO THE MOTIVATIONS, REACTIONS, AND OPERATIONAL METHODS OF MUGGERS. THE SAFETY MEASURES DISCUSSED ARE CONSIDERED APPLICABLE FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND THE ELDERLY. (RCB)