How to Deal With a Physical Threat

People are often physically threatened by strangers, friends or family members. Hopefully, you will never be physically threatened, but if you are, the best way to deal with the situation is to be prepared and to know how to react to the threat.

Instructions

1. Stay calm and attempt to assess the situation. Talk to the person who is threatening you and try to reason with him, but don't argue, which can escalate the situation and increase the danger.

2. Look for an escape route and get to a safe place as quickly as possible. If you're in a public place, run to where other people are and seek help. Try to distract the person who is threatening you to give you an opportunity to run. If you can put a physical block between yourself at the attacker, this may give you the extra few seconds needed to escape.

3. Attract attention. If the person who is threatening you believes she may be caught, she will less likely to continue. Yell, scream as loudly as possible, and make as much noise as you can.

4. Contact authorities as soon as possible and report the physical threat. Call 911 if you feel that you are in physical danger.

Tips & Warnings

• If somebody is threatening you because they want your car, jewelry, money, purse, or other possessions, let him have it. Things are only things and can be replaced.

• Never blame yourself. Everybody has a right to feel safe, and nobody deserves to be physically threatened.