Should You Fight Back in a Mugging?
April 6, 2007 — -- There were more than a quarter of a million purse snatchings in the United States in 2005. Many of those victims fought back, but is it worth it to risk your life for what's in your purse?
Lillian Hlywka, 82, fought off a mugger on her way home from bingo this week. She held on to her front porch and her bag and started to scream.
"If I could have reached him, I would have given him a good kick," said the fiesty senior citizen.
Experts say that a good kick would be a bad idea. Property crimes have become increasingly violent, and fighting back invites injury… or worse.
Carol Middleton teaches women's self-defense. But she says the best defense is to just surrender.
"He's going to get it anyway, but if you pull back he's going to hit you," Middleton said.
Purse snatching is a crime of opportunity. To be a real survivor, not a victim, eliminate that opportunity. Every female carrying a purse is a potential target, so keep it hidden.
Senior citizens are especially susceptible to these criminals since they may not be readily able to defend themselves. They make ideal victims.
Here are other tips to protect yourself from mugging:
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