Predators

Although violent predators are a significantly small percentage of the population, their impact on victims and society as a whole is significant. Avoiding and surviving them requires understanding their process. Predators are people who use physical or sexual violence to intentionally harm or control others; they can be male or female, young or old, upper, middle or lower class, sociable or recluse. Unfortunately, predators can also be non-strangers: a family member, friend, partner, colleague, superior, mentor, or classmate. This does not mean everyone is a predator, but it is important to accept that if anyone (even a non-stranger) displays threatening behavior, that person is no longer safe to be around.

I. TYPES OF PREDATORS

Similar to the types of violence, there are also different types of predators:

TYPE 1: RESOURCE PREDATOR

•Uses violence or the threat of violence against a target to obtain something else (a.k.a. the target is the means to an end)

• Chooses targets who have money or who can be used to get or make money

e.g. hostage taker, mugger, human trafficker

TYPE 2: PROCESS PREDATOR

• Uses violence or threat of violence to harm the target (a.k.a. the target’s violation is the endgoal)

• Chooses targets according to specific attributes (age, race, gender, orientation, status personality or relationship to the predator)

e.g. sexual assailant, abusive partner, serial killer

In the case of resource predators, some will only threaten their targets to scare them into compliance, and may not resort to violence if a target gives them what they want. But many resource predators still resort to violence, and victims are still at risk of physical harm even after complying with perpetrators. On the other hand, the process predator's goal is to harm the target, and they will always follow through with violence or abuse.

Regardless of the type, predators choose their victims according to who fits or has the potential to fit their needs at an acceptable level of risk. If a person does not possess or appear to possess what the predator wants, then the predator will not pursue them (e.g., mugger ignores the poorly dressed and goes after a well-dressed target because the latter has the potential to have more money to steal from). The acceptable level of risk with approaching a target refers to the probability in which they will resist against the predator; many predators choose to avoid high-risk targets (e.g. those who look aware, confident, strong) and instead pursue low-risk targets (e.g. those who look meek, insecure, weak).

II. PREDATOR VS. TARGET: PHYSICAL & MENTAL ATTRIBUTES

Predators also have different attributes that make them more or less dangerous. The qualities below can be compared to a target's physical state and capabilities, as these can contribute to their survival:

Some survivors managed to escape because they had a higher pain tolerance, stronger willpower, and more effective combat skills against the bigger, stronger attacker with less willpower, experience and lower pain tolerance. Unexpected circumstances or luck can also favor either the predator (e.g., no bystander intervenes) or the target (e.g., a bystander intervenes). While these factors are unpredictable, many predator strategies and behaviors can be detected.

  • • Larkin, Tim. "Survive the Unthinkable: A Total Guide to Women's Self-Protection." Rodale Books. 2013.

    • Miller, Rory. "Meditations on Violence." YMAA Publishing Centre. 2008.

    —-. "Facing Violence." YMAA Publishing Centre. 2011.

    —-. “Conflict Communication: A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication.” YMAA Publishing Centre. 2015.

 
Katrina Velasquez