The Nature of Assault

Back to Krav page THE NATURE OF ASSAULT - If you are ever assaulted, it will most likely be by someone you know, especially if you are a woman. Stranger assaults, though not uncommon, are more rare than news and movies might have us believe. While none of us want to appear paranoid (meaning an unreasonable caution or fear), we must be aware of warning signs and indications of growing or impending trouble. Denial, wishing things will go away, or hoping that we are simply misperceiving the situation, will not help. In fact, while we need not jump the gun, denial may actually allow a manageable situation to surpass the limits of controllability. See essays in Situational Awareness, Stalkers and Batterers, and Avoiding Trouble.PHYSICAL SPACE - In difficult circumstances, you need to understand and establish your danger zone. That is, the distance from you at which a person might constitute a threat, given the physical surroundings. A bad guy with a rock standing a mile off is not a particular threat. However, at three feet away he might be. The presence or lack of weapons, surrounding crowds, obstacles like furniture and walls and everyone's sobriety may compel changes in the parameters of the danger zone. In general, though, here are the starting points for establishing danger zones:
  • Unarmed attacker within 10 feet (3 meters)
  • Armed attacker within 21 feet (6 meters) (Teuller Drill*)

PHYSICAL INDICATORS - Many physical indicators hint that an attack is being contemplated or is imminent. There are body, behavioral and verbal indications. Some are subtle and may indicate nothing of an alarming nature. Others are overtly hostile and should cause immediate action. Most fall in between and require judgment to be applied. As a general rule, we should err on the side of caution and try to avoid or evade a problem situation. Trust your instincts. Do not be shy about "offending" someone by subtly evading them. Possible trouble indications:

  • A change in behavior if you come near the person
  • Rocking the body back and forth
  • Standing with shoulders hunched over
  • Obvious attempt to look through things, but at nothing
  • Glancing at you then away repeatedly, obviously "sizing you up"
  • Conspicuously observing you for no apparent reason
  • Exhibiting nervous gestures - rubbing the hands, face, moving hands into and out of pockets
  • Unusual or out of place body movements, pacing, sitting and arising repeatedly
  • Suddenly stopping all body movements for no apparent reason
  • A hidden, immobile hand as the person walks; it is not natural
  • Aggressive posture, hand or foot positions
  • Clenching fists, flexing fingers for no apparent reason
  • Attempts to match your movements: You stop, they stop; you turn, they turn
  • Flanking: A person approaches and interrupts you, and another person follows to your side or rear
  • Leaning in toward you, hands "at the ready," feet positioned to move quickly
  • Attempting to maneuver you into a place with no exit (corner, against wall, away from door)
  • Making aggressive requests or demands
  • Cursing or yelling at you for no reason
  • Making unprovoked accusations or verbal threats
  • Attempts to "bait" you and provoke a response: "What did you say to me?" "What are you looking at?"
  • Head dropping just before an attack
  • Yelling or crying out to startle or paralyze you as an attack begins
  • Suddenly changing from belligerent, aggressive and uncooperative to docile, calm and cooperative

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE SOMETHING

  • Take action. Quickly move away from the person or incident.
  • Trust your instincts. Don't ignore your suspicions simply because you may never have been victimized before.
  • Remember descriptions. Race or ethnicity, height, weight, dress, identifiable marks, license plate numbers, hairstyle and color, etc.
  • If at all possible, don't become involved other than to notify the authorities.
  • Report only what you think you saw or heard - nothing more, nothing less. Do not interpret.
  • Don't wait - when you see it, report it.

Stay alert - Stay alive!

* The "Tueller Drill" is named after its developer, Sgt. Dennis Tueller of the Salt Lake City Police Department. Based on the results of his own experiments, he showed that pretty much anyone, regardless of age, weight or height, could physically close a distance of 21 feet (6 meters) in about 1.5 seconds. A person armed with a knife or club within 21 feet poses a potentially lethal threat.