If you are afraid of being attacked in public spaces, you can use certain behaviours to increase your sense of security, recognize and defuse dangerous situations in good time and deter potential perpetrators from acting.
Carrying a weapon, on the other hand, can have the exact opposite effect. The police generally advise against carrying weapons (knives, pepper spray, etc.). Media reports about acts of violence in public spaces, such as fights in the street or on the streetcar, can cause fear and affect your own sense of security. However, certain behaviors can increase your sense of security.
Being safe in public spaces can be improved with the following tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings. Listen to your gut feeling. It instinctively warns you of threatening situations.
- Keep your distance and move away from threatening situations as soon as possible. Go to safe places (e.g. change sides of the street/subway compartments, go to kiosks, stores, restaurants).
- Shame the provoking person. This will signal to outsiders that this is not a private dispute.
- Avoid verbal provocation and physical confrontation.
- Address uninvolved persons directly ("Hello, you with the green jacket..."). Describe the situation and ask for help.
- In an emergency situation, call the police on 110 and report the crime.
It is important to take your time and prepare yourself mentally for dangerous situations, taking the above-mentioned behavioral tips into account. This way, you will be prepared and confident in your actions in an acute situation. This also influences your charisma and can help to deter potential perpetrators.