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

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

If you are afraid of being attacked, there are some things you can do to protect yourself. Here are some things you can do to prevent yourself from being a number in the statistics.

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

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

Stay out of dark places: This rule applies to everyone, regardless of sexual preference and is one that should not be dared to be broken, especially by those who cannot avoid traveling at night. It is in the dark corners that 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 call for help when you need it most. It can be unnerving when that moment comes suddenly, so prepare by storing emergency numbers on speed dial.

Always inform someone of your whereabouts; this is called leaving a trace. Every time 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 will be able to help the police track down your whereabouts depending on what you last told them. You don’t need to call every 5 minutes when all you need is a text every time you move to another location. By getting into the habit of leaving a trail, you are ensuring your long-term safety.

Since you can’t argue with statistics, you’d better take matters of your security into your own hands. As long as you follow the tips you just learned from this simple article, you can lower your chances of becoming a victim of a hate crime.