“My
friends usually walked me home after dark. But one evening I was so tired that
I decided to call a taxi.
“The
driver didn’t take me home. Instead, he drove me to an abandoned field, where
he tried to rape me. I screamed with all my might, and he backed off. When he
came toward me again, I screamed and ran.
“In the past I had often thought, ‘How can
screaming help?’ But I’ve learned that it works!”—KARIN. *
IN MANY lands, crime is
an ever-present danger. For example, in one country a judge stated: “The sad
reality is that it’s not if, but when, you will become a victim.” In other
places, crime may be less common. Even so, it is unwise to become complacent,
for complacency can lead to vulnerability.
Whether you live in a
high-crime or a low-crime area, how can you make life safer for you and your
loved ones? One practical step you can take is to heed this principle found in
the Bible: “The wise see danger ahead and avoid it, but fools keep going and
get into trouble.” (Proverbs 22:3,
New Century Version) Indeed, police authorities advocate the taking of
preventive measures—avoiding crime in the first place.
Physical injury and
material loss are not the only consequences of crime. Many victims also suffer
lasting mental and emotional harm. How important, then, that we do what we reasonably
can to increase our safety! With that goal in mind, consider how you can take
steps to protect yourself from four kinds of crime—robbery, sexual assault,
cybercrime, and identity theft.
ROBBERY
What is it? Robbery
is theft using force or threats of force.
How does it affect
people? After
a string of armed robberies in Britain, a prosecutor observed that although the
victims suffered no physical harm, all suffered mental anguish. “Several of
them report ongoing anxiety and sleep difficulties,” she said, “and virtually
all of them say that their daily working lives have been gravely affected by
what they experienced.”
What can you do?
Thieves are opportunists;
be aware of your surroundings
Be
aware. Thieves
are opportunists. They like to prey on the unsuspecting. So watch the people
who are watching you, be aware of your surroundings, and do not dull your
senses or impair your judgment by overdrinking or misusing drugs. “When a
person is drinking alcohol or using drugs,” it is harder for him “to think
clearly and evaluate a potentially dangerous situation,” says a health
encyclopedia.
·
Protect your property. Secure
your vehicle and the doors and windows of your home. Never admit a stranger.
Keep valuables out of sight; do not flaunt them. “Wisdom is with the modest
ones,” says Proverbs 11:2. Thieves—including desperate children—often
target people who parade expensive jewelry and electronics.
·
Seek advice. “The way of the foolish
one is right in his own eyes, but the one listening to counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)
If you are traveling, heed the advice of informed locals, including the
authorities. They can point out places to avoid and show you how to protect
yourself and your belongings.
SEXUAL
ASSAULT
What is it? Sexual
assault is not limited to rape but includes other forms of sexual contact
involving threats, force, or intimidation.
How does it affect
people? “The
saddest thing is [that] it doesn’t just affect you while you’re being abused,”
explains a rape victim. “It stays with you and haunts you for a long time and
changes your outlook on life. It also changes the lives of your loved ones.” Of
course, the victim is not responsible for the sexual assault. The aggressor
bears that responsibility.
What can you do?
·
Do not ignore your feelings. “If
a place or person makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy—leave,” advises a police
department in North Carolina, U.S.A. “Don’t let anyone convince you to stay if
your instincts are telling you otherwise.”
·
Act confidently; be focused. Sexual
predators hunt for the unsuspecting and vulnerable. So walk confidently and
stay alert.
·
React quickly. Scream.
(Deuteronomy 22:25-27) Escape or fight back using the element
of surprise. And, if possible, run to a safe place and call the police. *
CYBERCRIME
What is it? Cybercrime
refers to crime conducted online. It includes tax and welfare fraud, credit
card fraud, and the nondelivery of purchases. It also includes scams, such as
fraudulent investments and online auctions.
How does it affect
people? Cybercrime
costs the victims—and society as a whole—billions of dollars. Consider an
example. Sandra received an e-mail that she assumed was from her bank asking
her to update her online banking details. Minutes after sending her personal
particulars, she was alarmed to see that $4,000 (U.S.) had been transferred
from her account to a foreign bank. Sandra quickly discovered that she had been
scammed.
What can you do?
·
Be wary! Do not be fooled by
professional-looking Web sites, and keep in mind that legitimate financial
institutions will not ask you to e-mail highly confidential information. Before
buying or investing online, ascertain the company’s reputation. “Anyone
inexperienced puts faith in every word, but the shrewd one considers his
steps,” says Proverbs 14:15. And be cautious when dealing with companies
located in foreign lands. If problems arise, it can be harder to resolve them.
·
Analyze a company and its policies. Ask
yourself: ‘What is the company’s physical address? Is the phone number correct?
Will my purchase involve hidden costs? When will my order be delivered? Can it
be returned or refunded?’
·
Be suspicious if an offer looks too good to
be true. The
greedy and those who want something for nothing are prime targets for online
thieves. The bait may include big money for minimal work, a loan or credit card
even though you may have a poor credit rating, or large returns on “low-risk”
investments. “Take your time in evaluating the legitimacy of any investment
offer,” says the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). “The higher the promised
return, the higher the risk. Don’t let a promoter pressure you into committing
to an investment before you are certain it’s legitimate.”
IDENTITY
THEFT
What is it? Identity
theft involves illegally obtaining and using information about someone else’s
personal identity in order to commit fraud or some other crime.
How does it affect
people? Thieves
may use your identity to obtain credit cards or loans or to open new accounts.
Then they rack up debts in your name! Even if you eventually get the debts
canceled, your financial reputation may remain tarnished for years. “Having a
zero credit rating affects everything—it’s even worse than having money taken,”
says a victim.
What can you do?
·
Protect sensitive information. If
you bank or shop online, change your passwords regularly, especially if you
have used a public computer. And as mentioned earlier, be highly suspicious of
e-mails requesting sensitive personal information.
Identity
thieves do not use computers only. They try any means they can to get their
hands on important documents, such as bank statements, checkbooks, credit
cards, and social security numbers. So keep these things safe, and shred all
sensitive documents before discarding them. Of course, if you suspect that
a document has been lost or stolen, report this immediately.
·
Keep track of your accounts. “Awareness
is an effective weapon against . . . identity theft,” states the FTC, adding:
“Early detection of a potential identity theft can make a big difference.” So
check your accounts regularly, and look out for unusual transactions. If
possible, get a copy of your credit report from a reputable agency, and note
the accounts and credit cards linked to your name.
Of course, in today’s
world there are no guarantees. Even the most cautious individuals have become
victims of crime. That said, we always benefit from adhering to the wisdom and
understanding found in the Bible. “Do not leave it, and it will keep you. Love
it, and it will safeguard you.” (Proverbs 4:6)
Better still, the Bible promises an end to crime.
Soon,
an End to Crime
Why can we be confident
that God will do away with crime? Consider the following:
·
God wants to end crime. “I,
Jehovah, am loving justice, hating robbery along with unrighteousness.”—Isaiah 61:8.
·
He has the power to stop crime. “He
is lifted high with power. And He is right and fair and good.”—Job 37:23,
New Life Version.
·
He has promised to destroy the
wicked and preserve the righteous. “Evildoers themselves will be cut off.”
“The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever
upon it.”—Psalm 37:9, 29.
·
He has promised his loyal ones a
peaceful new world. “The meek ones themselves will possess the
earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of
peace.”—Psalm 37:11.
Do those words touch your
heart? If so, please take the time to examine the Bible to learn more about
God’s purpose for mankind. No other book is so rich in practical wisdom. And no
other book gives us a genuine hope for a crime-free tomorrow. *
AWAKE
magazine May 2013 issue
www.jw.org
No comments:
Post a Comment