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Both Burglars and Predators Case their Prey
By Liza Cooper | November 21, 2009
I liken the way a predator checks out his victim to a burglar casing a home.
In both cases, the people involved are attempting to commit a crime – they want to take something that doesn’t belong to them and/or cause harm in the process.
Because the activities are illegal, the predators want to act quickly, quietly, and, above all, they do not want to get caught. So they will stalk their prey.
In the case of the burglar, he’ll case the property. Perhaps he’ll travel to the block and look around, or these days, he may simply go online and look for someone who has posted pictures of their home and a valid address.
He’ll be looking at several factors. Is the house easy to break into? Is it locked? Secured? Is there shrubbery or other objects to prevent casual passersby from seeing him? Are residents home? Is there an alarm system or a tough looking dog?
Likewise when the prey is a human being, such as a prospective rape or mugging victim, the perp will be looking for things like:
• Is the victim alone or with people?
• Is she alert or preoccupied?
• Are there people nearby who might be likely to help her?
• Is she wearing heels or other clothing that might impeded her ability to run?
• Is she flashing jewelry or otherwise communicating that she has something that he wants.
• Is he likely to be noticed?
You get the idea.
So, what message are you communicating in your appearance and body language that might attract or repel a predator?
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