Here’s a little insight from a former criminal defense attorney who has talked to many hundreds of criminals. Burglars, robbers and rapists are generally impulsive. It’s rare that a stranger will select you, stalk you, or lie in wait. Instead, they look for: small, weak-looking, distracted, and intoxicated people. They don’t want a fight and they don’t want to be identified. If you’re small and slight, I’m sorry but you’re a much more likely target than me (I’m tall and loud). So stay away from places where drug addicts, homeless people, or groups of young men are hanging out. If you’re going to drink, bring a sober friend. If you must walk in an area that feels unsafe, take off your headphones, stick your phone in an inside pocket, and bundle up so your body isn’t displayed. Do not fear being “rude”. Do not worry that you will offend them. Resist, do not appease. They want an easy target they can “hit and run”. Groups or even pairs of women are rarely targets. Your own neighborhood is more safe than downtown parking lots or bars. Criminals don’t hang out in a neighborhood because they’re afraid someone will come out and recognize them or chase them off. If you’re being followed, yell at the guy. Let him get offended and cuss you out, call you racist, or otherwise bark. Bark first. Look them in the eyes. As to “self defense”’classes, consider whether you are a fight, flight, or freeze person. Those classes will do one thing quite well: they will empower you to fight back. You won’t need to, generally. You want to make a long day for the guy; most of the time you don’t want to fight him. Finally, and I can’t say this enough: get rid of your stupid shoes. Don’t walk in fashionable shoes. Wear clunky well-fitted sneakers that are comfortable. Run. Most drug addicts have absolutely no stamina.