Violence Prevention 101: Tougher Target Strategies That Empower
When talking about personal safety, the idea of “becoming a tougher target” often comes up. This approach encourages you to adopt habits that make you less likely to be targeted by criminals. But some people argue this sounds like victim blaming. Let’s be clear: advocating for this isn’t about blaming victims—it’s about giving people the tools to feel empowered and stay safe.
Practical advise vs. victim blaming
Offering practical advice is totally different from victim blaming. Giving safety tips helps you prepare and take control of your environment, similar to how wearing seat belts or practicing safe hygiene helps you avoid accidents or illness. Just like health advice, safety strategies aim to reduce risk—they aren’t a judgment if something bad happens.
What does “becoming a tougher target” mean?
Becoming a tougher target is all about making small changes to your behavior and environment to reduce the likelihood of being targeted. Some examples include:
Self-defense skills: Learning self-defense techniques gives you tools to protect yourself if a situation escalates.
Situational awareness: Stay aware of your surroundings—know who and what’s around you, especially in unfamiliar places.
Environmental control: Simple things like better locks, lighting, or even security cameras can make your home or workspace less appealing to criminals.
Behavioral strategies: Avoid risky behaviors or situations, like walking in poorly lit areas at night while distracted by your phone.
Empowerment, not blame
Advocating for personal safety through these strategies is about giving you more control over your safety. Here’s why it’s empowering:- It promotes self-efficacy: Knowing you can take steps to protect yourself boosts your confidence. It’s about feeling prepared, not helpless.
- It’s educational: Just like wearing a seatbelt doesn’t blame someone for getting into a car accident, personal safety tips are about preparation. It’s not your fault if something happens, but preparation can reduce your risk.
- It complements broader efforts: Personal safety strategies are part of the bigger picture—they don’t replace systemic solutions, but they help individuals take charge of their own well-being.
- It reduces opportunities for crime: Criminals typically go for easy targets. By making yourself a tougher target, you reduce your chances of being picked, which helps reduce crime overall.
What’s the difference between safety advocacy and victim blaming?
The key difference is culpability. Victim blaming unfairly shifts the responsibility for a crime onto the victim, rather than the criminal. Here’s a real-life example:
Not victim blaming: “Don’t walk around high-crime neighborhoods flashing your phone or wads of cash—it could make you a target.”
Victim blaming: “Of course, you got robbed! Flashing that new phone—what did you expect?”
The first statement offers advice without judgment, while the second shifts the responsibility to the victim.
Addressing misconceptions
Emphasize context: Make it clear that no matter what safety steps you take, it’s never your fault if you become a victim. The responsibility is always on the perpetrator.
Balance the message: Advocate for personal safety alongside pushing for larger systemic change and societal responsibility in preventing crime.
Offer support: Make sure victims know they’re not at fault and provide them with resources for help.
Final thoughts
At its core, advocating for people to “become a tougher target” is about empowerment. It’s giving you the tools and knowledge to protect yourself, not shifting blame onto victims. When framed properly, these strategies help people take proactive steps towards their own safety while recognizing that criminals—not their victims—are always responsible for their actions.