What do violent criminals look for in a female victim?

When I was getting my CJ degree, I took a lot of classes in crime, and law enforcement. One study our instructor taught us about studied how violent criminals pick a female victim. The study was done by interviewing men who were serving terms in prison for violent crimes against women who were strangers to them. How did they pick a victim? According to this study, the first consideration was height, then weight, then hair length. Men who attack women, or kidnap them, look for a woman who is about a foot shorter than they are, slim and with long hair. In order to control a victim, it helps if they are smaller and not so heavy they can't be moved easily. Long hair is something the predator can grab onto in order to better control the victim. Beyond that, they notice how well the victim is aware of her surroundings and how alert she seems.

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Graylight · 51-55, F

I was taught this as well during my studies in CJ. Urban myth elements like clothing or jewelry have much, much less to do with vulnerability than attributes.

Situational awareness is among the top factors as well. Never before have people been so obviously distracted while in society. Women are falling through manhole covers and into fountains, for God's sake. If you're burying in your phone, you're not going see someone coming, you won't catch details and you can't defend yourself.

Carry yourself with attention, confidence and look at the ready to grab or use a small weapon. It's sad to say, but these things will help keep any woman safe.