This blog is going to be more from my psychology background then my Seminary background today. As a Therapist, I have talked to many people and I have taken an interest in profiling over the years, in particular behavioral profiling. This basically means learning to read people based on how they react to questions and stimulus. I have read, researched and practiced this type of profiling over the years. I only state this to give some credence to what my topic is today.It seems to me that there are many more predators out there today than in the past. Maybe we are just aware of it more, but it seems more realistic that the Internet and technology has brought with it more instances of predatorial behavior, because it makes one more “hidden” and brave because they do not think anyone can see what they are doing. I think we have become complacent and comfortable and that has made it easy for predators to take advantage.
To give one personal example, just the other day we had a person call on our phones using a TTY system and try to order product. He gave a credit card number, address, name and the 3 digit code on the back of the card. He then asked for a specific product and wanted it shipped to a location in a state different from where he was calling. Luckily, the person who answered the phone said he was going to talk to me first, as he was nervous making the order. Being the cynic
I am, I had my employee call the credit card company, who called the owner of the card, and we found out that the owner in fact was not making the order. I wonder how many people processed his order that day because they were using a TTY system, which made them appear handicapped and because they had all the standard information?Did you ever watch people when you are out to see who was the most vulnerable, or to see who was looking a little suspicious? Probably not, as most people are not too observant, but we sure should be more observant. I live in a small town, and within one mile each direction of my home there are 8 registered sex offenders. How many surround your home? Do you know, or want to know?
I have heard over the years, horror stories of women who put themselves in bad scenarios where they were trusting someone, because “they seemed honest enough.” Then later come to find they have had some very nasty things happen to them. It is not a certain type of women, as seen on drama shows, meaning looks. Any woman is vulnerable and all ages. Predators look for the weak one or the vulnerable one in the pack and then look to isolate and attack.
How do you decrease your chances in becoming a victim? The first is to become more observant of your surroundings when you go anywhere. Become a people watcher and learn how to at least observe some basic signs of negative behavior. Second, think critically and be discerning when anyone you do not know personally tells you something. Don’t believe it just because they seem trust worthy. We tend to trust certain people more because of their position, but this is at times the very reason they chose this position. How many times have we heard of teachers becoming involved with students, or doctors abusing their privilege? How about Nannies in the home, Priests, Pastors and Police? I am not saying to become paranoid, but discerning and side on caution.
When you are out, look people in the eye and walk with confidence, even if you are not. A predator is less likely to attack if you come off confident. Women, though many articles in certain magazines tell you not to fight back against a sexual predator, this has been shown false in real research. Fight back, especially verbally and then any other way, as most rapists are not brave and will run when someone fights back. Unfortunately, if they are going to be violent, no matter what you do they will be this way. Lastly, report it and don’t blame yourself. It will be hard, and no one except who has gone through it will understand, but it will help the next person or save the next victim.
Protect yourself on the Internet. Don’t save all your passwords on your computer, or use the automatic save on sites that you do not want others to have access to, because a simple key logger can steal your information. Identity theft is on a rapid rise, and as shown above with the credit card, if you save much of your information (i.e. credit card numbers and passwords) on your computer or cell phone then it is vulnerable. Watch what you keep on there, or attain some better protections for your computer. Lastly, monitor what you put on social websites, as predators follow these and phish for information on them and for victims.
This is a fallen world and we all need to be watchful and protective of ourselves and our families. Just making some simple adjustments can help us be a little safer in this more hostile world.
