Safety Expert, Tracey Hawkins, believes that there were enough signs that Burris was a problem and believes that if anyone who had a “bad vibe” about him would have contacted authorities, he may have been stopped sooner.
According to Tracey Hawkins, something that may have prevented some of the deaths, or could have lead to him being apprehended earlier is something that we all possess, gut instinct. Hawkins, who said her main influence in believing that our bodies can sense danger, is author Gavin deBecker’s book, “The Gift of Fear”. “I saw him on Oprah about a decade ago shortly after I started my safety product and speaking business and the book changed my life and my perspective about teaching personal safety.” The premise of the book is that we all should trust our gut instinct because we all receive fear signals, but we often don’t act upon them.
Oftentimes, in these cases people who are interviewed following heinous crimes say they are surprised that this person has committed this atrocious crime; workplace/school shooting, rape, murder or assault, or that they never saw it coming. In this case, the suspected serial killer had a long rap sheet, but even aside from that point, there were clues all along that trouble was brewing. If we learn to trust our intuition about people, there are typically warning signs all along. If you think back to any interactions with that person, it will become clear that they said or did something to give you that feeling in the pit of your stomach that something was wrong. We mostly choose to ignore that feeling and to talk ourselves out of listening to it. But our bodies are hardly ever wrong.
In the S.C. case against Patrick Tracy Burris, according to one woman who asked not to be identified, “He was a little strange. I had an eerie feeling about him,” she said. “You get these vibes about people.” Had she trusted those 'vibes' along with the knowledge that there was a sought after serial killer, perhaps she could have alerted law enforcement officials and let them determine if the concern was legitimate.
Speaking about the constant television coverage of the serial killing story, “It was like he was infatuated with (the coverage). He wouldn't change the channel or anything,” according to Mark Stamey, the man, who along with his sister, spent the days prior to Burris’ shooting “partying” with him. “Just certain things that you don't make jokes about that he was making jokes about.” He and his sister could have called law enforcement officials and allowed them to investigate. After all, there was a man who was wanted, and by his own admissions, they did not know much about this man, plus his behavior was inappropriate.
According to Hawkins, “I am sure there are several similar stories along the way. There are others who came in contact with him who could tell stories about have a weird feeling that something wasn’t quite right about him.” Hawkins urges people to tune into their bodies and listen when it signals fear. She urges people to pay attention to our built-in survival mechanism, our gut, because it is hardly ever wrong and can sense fear. However, we have to interpret that fear, assess it and act accordingly to get out of dangers way. She states that to most people that means talking yourself out of being afraid and trying to reason with the voice. “Reading the book will help you resist that urge. It will teach you to stand up and pay attention.” Police officers and rape crisis counselors will tell you that when they interview victims, a majority of them knew something was wrong and had that “funny feeling” before the crime.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Craig's List Not to Blame For Rapes
A lot of people are up in arms over Craigslist and the stories in the news about rapes leading back to ads posted on the website. The ads are not at fault, the people making bad decisions are. The people who choose to post ads advertising their services and meeting strangers are putting themselves in harms way.
Of course, no one asks to be victimized. No one deserves to be victimized. However, there are behaviors that increase the odds of being victimized. Following precautions lessen the odds.
When you post an ad for "adult services" or "exotic services" and you arrange meetings at hotels, your home or wherever, you are inviting potential criminals in. The ads in Craigslist and any other alternative papers or online classifieds are like winning the lottery for perverts. Imagine how easy it is for them to find an ad, pick out a victim and be able to call them and get the address to meet them! That sounds crazy, but that's reality. Why would criminals choose a victim on the street where it may involve witnesses and a struggle? All they have to do is answer an ad, make a phone call and go meet their victim in comfort and privacy.
If you operate a legitimate massage business, rent a storefront or better yet, rent space in a beauty salon. Statistics show there is safety in numbers. A criminal usually will not go where there will be witnesses or someone who may stop an attack. Typically, only legitimate customers will go to a business out in the open. They have nothing to hide. This won't guarantee that criminals won't come there, but it is less likely. But you should always be prepared and take precautions.
If you insist that you want to make a living as a professional, legal escort, you can take steps to protect yourself as well. Knowing that the law in most places prohibit you from having sex with clients, there should be no problem meeting clients in a public place. You need to drive yourself to the location or the event and drive yourself home. If you are escorting them for business reasons, there is no need for you to ever be alone with them or be in a private place. Arrive early and park, that way, in case they are suspect, they don't see what you are driving. When it is time to leave, you can wait until they have left and ask security or a parking attendant to escort you to your car. Taking a cab is a better alternative. If you feel that they are more attached than they should be, make sure they are not following the cab when you leave.
Ladies, if you feel that you have no choice but to look for your soul mate online, make sure you do your homework first. Before meeting them, you need to make sure they are who they say they are.
Ask for a work number and actually call them there. If you get a direct line, look up the company in the directory and call the main switchboard and ask for that person. The direct line could go straight to their cell phone and you would not know. A cell phone number only is not acceptable. By the same token, do not give your work place location. In today's society, everyone understands that women have to take extra precautions to protect themselves. Those with mothers, sisters and daughters understand this double standard and do not question it. "Google" their name and see what is out there. If you feel the need, utilize online research websites and pay for background information on them. Keep in mind they could be doing that to you as well.
Women should never give out a home phone number. It is too easy for would-be perpetrators to go to a search engine on the internet and track them down. It would be wise to even take this a step further, get a "throw away" or pre-paid cell phone to use when dating. There are websites that allow people to find mobile phone subscribers, including addresses and other data. It should go without saying that you should not give out your home address too early in the relationship. You need to make sure this person is legitimate before giving out any personal information that allows them to look for you or loved ones at some point, if things go wrong and they decide to stalk you.
If you answer ads for auditions or model calls, you have to use common sense. If it is at a hotel, don't go to a private room. Legitimate promoters will rent a ballroom or meeting room, that is public and open to all. Do not meet in a private home or apartment. If the meeting is in a private office, take someone along with you and be prepared to defend yourself. That means have 911 pre-programmed on your cell phone. Carry a self-defense spray; O.C., pepper spray and have it ready to use. Make sure you test it before you need it. Be familiar with how to operate it and know the effects of the spray. Be mentally and physically prepared to use it.
You do not have to live in constant fear, but you need to be prepared to protect yourself.
www.safetyandsecuritysource.com
Of course, no one asks to be victimized. No one deserves to be victimized. However, there are behaviors that increase the odds of being victimized. Following precautions lessen the odds.
When you post an ad for "adult services" or "exotic services" and you arrange meetings at hotels, your home or wherever, you are inviting potential criminals in. The ads in Craigslist and any other alternative papers or online classifieds are like winning the lottery for perverts. Imagine how easy it is for them to find an ad, pick out a victim and be able to call them and get the address to meet them! That sounds crazy, but that's reality. Why would criminals choose a victim on the street where it may involve witnesses and a struggle? All they have to do is answer an ad, make a phone call and go meet their victim in comfort and privacy.
If you operate a legitimate massage business, rent a storefront or better yet, rent space in a beauty salon. Statistics show there is safety in numbers. A criminal usually will not go where there will be witnesses or someone who may stop an attack. Typically, only legitimate customers will go to a business out in the open. They have nothing to hide. This won't guarantee that criminals won't come there, but it is less likely. But you should always be prepared and take precautions.
If you insist that you want to make a living as a professional, legal escort, you can take steps to protect yourself as well. Knowing that the law in most places prohibit you from having sex with clients, there should be no problem meeting clients in a public place. You need to drive yourself to the location or the event and drive yourself home. If you are escorting them for business reasons, there is no need for you to ever be alone with them or be in a private place. Arrive early and park, that way, in case they are suspect, they don't see what you are driving. When it is time to leave, you can wait until they have left and ask security or a parking attendant to escort you to your car. Taking a cab is a better alternative. If you feel that they are more attached than they should be, make sure they are not following the cab when you leave.
Ladies, if you feel that you have no choice but to look for your soul mate online, make sure you do your homework first. Before meeting them, you need to make sure they are who they say they are.
Ask for a work number and actually call them there. If you get a direct line, look up the company in the directory and call the main switchboard and ask for that person. The direct line could go straight to their cell phone and you would not know. A cell phone number only is not acceptable. By the same token, do not give your work place location. In today's society, everyone understands that women have to take extra precautions to protect themselves. Those with mothers, sisters and daughters understand this double standard and do not question it. "Google" their name and see what is out there. If you feel the need, utilize online research websites and pay for background information on them. Keep in mind they could be doing that to you as well.
Women should never give out a home phone number. It is too easy for would-be perpetrators to go to a search engine on the internet and track them down. It would be wise to even take this a step further, get a "throw away" or pre-paid cell phone to use when dating. There are websites that allow people to find mobile phone subscribers, including addresses and other data. It should go without saying that you should not give out your home address too early in the relationship. You need to make sure this person is legitimate before giving out any personal information that allows them to look for you or loved ones at some point, if things go wrong and they decide to stalk you.
If you answer ads for auditions or model calls, you have to use common sense. If it is at a hotel, don't go to a private room. Legitimate promoters will rent a ballroom or meeting room, that is public and open to all. Do not meet in a private home or apartment. If the meeting is in a private office, take someone along with you and be prepared to defend yourself. That means have 911 pre-programmed on your cell phone. Carry a self-defense spray; O.C., pepper spray and have it ready to use. Make sure you test it before you need it. Be familiar with how to operate it and know the effects of the spray. Be mentally and physically prepared to use it.
You do not have to live in constant fear, but you need to be prepared to protect yourself.
www.safetyandsecuritysource.com
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