Fight or Flight?
Consider the Best Response to a Physical Attack
Madison, WI - If you found yourself alone in a property
with a client who wanted to harm you or rob you, what
would you do? Would you put up a fight or try to
escape?
It isn’t pleasant to think about, but it’s important
to know the facts. Experts agree that when escape is
an option that is the route you should take. While
every REALTOR® should take a basic self-defense
course, the primary goal in any incident is to escape
from the danger and call for help.
When faced with potentially menacing behavior, you
should first try to find a discrete way of removing
yourself from the situation. Try to avoid triggering
the emotion a predator might use to justify an attack.
For example, you can say that you need to step outside
to make a phone call and then don’t come back inside.
If an attack does occur, trust yourself and stay as
calm as possible. Think rationally and evaluate your
options. There is no single right way to respond to a
confrontation, because each situation is different.
Your response should depend on the circumstances: the
location of the attack, your personal resources, the
characteristics of your assailant and the presence of
weapons. There are many strategies that are effective,
but you must rely on your own judgment to choose the
best one.
No resistance:
Not resisting can be the proper choice in a given
situation. An attacker with a gun or a knife may put
you in a situation where you think it is safer to do
what he or she says. If someone tries to rob you, give
up your property, not your life.
Stalling for time: Appear to go along with the
attacker. This might give you time to assess the
situation. When his guard is down, try to escape.
Distraction and then flight: Obviously you should try
to get away, but whether you can depends on many
things, including your shoes and clothing, physical
stamina, the terrain and your proximity to your
attacker.
Verbal assertiveness:
If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands
in front of you and yell “Stop!” or “Stay back!”
Criminals have been known to leave a victim alone if
he or she yelled or showed that he or she was not
afraid to fight back.
Physical resistance:
If you decide to respond physically, remember that
your first response should be to flee the area or the
home. Act quickly and decisively to throw the attacker
off guard while you get away. Your personal safety is
your first priority. Property can be replaced, but the
value of your life and health is beyond measure. Also,
you should familiarize yourself with your state’s laws
concerning self-defense, including the issue of what
is proper or improper use of force to defend yourself
during an attack. (To see Wisconsin’s statute
regarding self-defense, visit
www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/stat0939.pdf.)
Observation:
Be sure to make an effort to get an accurate
description of your attacker. Even the smallest
details may give authorities a clue to finding the
suspect.
(Source: North Carolina Association of REALTORS®)
This article is part of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS®’ 2005 REALTOR® Safety Week Kit.
Published: 9/9/2005
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