With all these kidnapping and sex-trafficking stories circulating, I got to thinking how can women prevent this from happening to them.
While never coming out your house ever again seems like a safe and simple solution, it's not a realistic one. So I've compiled a list of preventative measures women can use to prevent from being kidnapped and possible forced into the dark world of sex-trafficking.
- Be Very Aware of Your Surroundings: while in an ideal and SAFE world we would pop in our earbuds and escape the world while out commuting, this is not a thing right about now. We must stay vigilant, aware and observant. Since in the East Coast we're seeing nighttime come at like 5:00P.M. now, there's no stay in after dark for us. When walking in the streets stay close to businesses and homes that you can run towards or into and away from the roads on which a car can easily pull up and snatch you up.
- Appear Like You'll Be Handful: be very aware of your body language while out, appearing sad, lonely or in any way lost may prompt a potential abductor to perceive you as an easy prey. The level of confidence, strength and conviction with which you move can easily change how you're perceived and that can make a big difference when you're being considered as a potential target.
- Head Out With Groups: try to pair up with other people while out. Like for example, if you work in a company try to head home with other co-workers that may be going in the same direction. Make some commuter buddies! While kidnappers are not afraid to abduct a person in front of other people, being in a group could very well deter them from targeting you. For instance, I myself walk with a pack of fellow commuters when getting off the train. Instead of keeping to myself while walking home from the train, I walk nice and close to my neighbors as if we're all together
- Don't Call a Friend—Get On The Phone With 911: while you may feel tempted to call a friend when something doesn't feel right, call 911! As soon as an operator picks up let them know that something suspicious is happening and you feel like you're in danger. Describe and person, vehicle that seems suspicious and give them your name and location. Stay on the phone with them the entire time and let anyone suspicious know "I ALREADY THE COPS!"
- Let Someone Know Where You're Going And With Who: If for some reason who are heading out ALONE to meet someone who met online, make sure someone knows where you're going and who you're meeting. Share with a friend or family member where you're headed and give the name of the person you're about to meet, a PHOTO of them and any other details you may have. While you're out with this unknown person, stay in contact with a friend and let them know your location at all times. Also let the person who you're out with know that, you've shared their identity with loved ones and they know where your are.
- Share Your Location With Your BFF: with iPhones you can permanently share your location with someone close to you. This means that they always know where you are as long as you have your phone with you. So if for some reason your kidnapper doesn't remember to take your phone immediately they may be able to locate you unharmed. This is a feature than can be turned off and on at all times, so don't feel like your privacy will stay violated.
- Be Ready To Handle An Attack: while most women aren't trained to fight off an attacker, we all have that FIGHT in us and can use it to deter someone from kidnapping us if we put up resistance. With many girls ending up dead or being sex trafficked after being kidnapped, we have to fight back. We can take on any man I our life depends on it.
- Make A Full Blown Scene: in simple terms WILD OUT! As soon as you feel like something is about to go down, start yelling for help. Get people's attention by yelling "CALL THE POLICE" as loud as you can. An abductor would much rather his kidnapping go quietly and smoothly, so he may just take off if people start coming windows, doors and cars. If your kidnapper is unarmed and your life is not in danger, RUN as fast as you can. Run towards people, a business or a well lit area.
Just last night a young girl by the name of Karol Sanchez was kidnapped by four men while walking with her mom in The Bronx and right now our city has issued a full blown Amber Alert trying to locate her ASAP. Praying for her safe return and for the safety of all women who are living in fear at the moment.
Photo: Getty