How to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a hate crime

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of people who have been attacked because of their sexual orientation. Although people are said to be more tolerant today, statistics show otherwise as the numbers continue to rise. If you look at the FBI’s hate crime statistics, you will see that 1,460 cases were reported in 2007, up from 1,415 the previous year. It may not be a huge leap from the previous number, but it should still be cause for alarm.

If you are afraid of becoming the victim of an attack, there are some things you can do to protect yourself. Here are some things you can do to avoid being a number in the statistic.

Always travel with companions: the first thing you should do to ensure your safety is to always travel with other people. Predators are generally more apprehensive about attacking people in groups. Whether you are traveling in broad daylight or at night, it is always best to assimilate as a group.

Study your surroundings – If you’ve just moved to a new neighborhood, be sure to study your surroundings before you get too comfortable with it. This way, you will have an idea of ​​the exact places to avoid and the type of people you will see on a day-to-day basis.

Stay away from dark places – This rule applies to everyone regardless of sexual preference and is one that should not dare to break, especially those who cannot avoid traveling at night. It is in the dark corners where you will find predators lurking. You need to make sure that there are always people around you in case you need help.

Keep Your Cell Phone Ready – Wherever you are, you need to make sure you know your emergency numbers so you can easily dial for help when you need it most. It can be unnerving when that moment strikes suddenly, so prepare yourself by storing emergency numbers in speed dial.

Always inform someone of your whereabouts; This is called leaving a trace. Whenever you leave the house, be sure to let your friends and family know where you are going. This way, if something ever happens to you, your family and friends can help the police track your whereabouts depending on the last thing you told them. You don’t have to call every 5 minutes when all you need is a text message every time you move to another location. By turning the habit of leaving a trace, you ensure your long-term safety.

Since there is no discussion with the statistics, you better take matters of your safety into your own hands. As long as you follow the tips you just learned from this simple article, you can reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a hate crime.