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A Community Outreach Program
Sponsored by Dignity Memorial
1-800-DIGNITY
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Run or Cooperate?
You are walking down the street and someone drives up and points a gun at you, demanding that you get in his vehicle. What do you do?
Passive Response:
You put your life in the hands of the person holding the weapon and get in the vehicle. You think if you do everything this person says, he might not hurt you.
If this is your response, consider this.
- Getting in the vehicle displays a weakness that criminals thrive on. You reinforce in his mind that he is superior to you.
- Seeing you as less of a person makes it easier for him to hurt and/or kill you.
- The longer you are with this person the more your fear will be displayed in your actions such as crying, trembling and pleading.
- Your fear becomes intoxicating to him, reinforcing his position of power. The more power you give this person, the easier it becomes for him to rape, torture and eventually kill. Once you've gotten into the vehicle, the first crime has been committed, which means if he lets you go, he stands a good chance of getting caught and going to prison. Letting you go is not in his best interest.
Aggressive Response:
This means you do something to enhance your safety. You do not get in the vehicle, rather you maintain control. You make a smart decision based on what is best for you, you run.
If this is your choice, consider this:
- As soon as you start to run, you increase the odds of getting through this ordeal safely by 50%. At this point the bad guy has to make a decision as to whether or not he will pursue you. There is only a 50% chance that he will.
- If you are running, there is only a 50% chance that he will shoot at you.
- Of that 50% chance, there is only a 50% chance that he will hit you.
- Of that 50% chance, there is only a 50% chance that he will hit you in a vital spot.
The shot will attract attention and if by some slim chance you receive a serious wound, you would be better off on the street where people can come to your aid than in a desolate area, where he might be taking you. Making a smart choice when faced with a life threatening encounter is not taking a risk, it is taking control.
No one should engage in risky behavior that invites trouble, but if it finds you, you are going to have to make a decision. The choice you make will have more influence in determining the outcome of the encounter than any other single factor.
Printable Version
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