4 Common Ways Predators Test You

Stephen Mazzagatti is a retired New Jersey State Trooper, firearms instructor, founder and safety consultant of Martell Training Group, and author of Defend Confidently: Elevate Situational Awareness, Secure Your Personal Safety, and Master Concealed Carry. His police career included the specialties of Aviation, Computer Crime (Cyber and Internet Crimes Against Children), Firearms, Field Operations, Deployment Services (Homeland Security missions), Governmental Integrity Unit, and Business Integrity Unit.

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In the video below, he describes Compliance Testing: four common scripts predators with a plan to break down your guard might use to gauge how vulnerable you are and if you’re an easy potential victim.

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He says most dangerous encounters don’t start aggressively; they begin with the appearance of friendliness in order to get physically closer to you.

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1. The “Help Me” Script: “Hey, Can You Help Me For A Second?”
2. The “Moral Pressure” Script: Intended to make you feel like you’re the problem.
3. The “Confusion or Distraction” Script: Asking strange, off-balance questions to freeze your brain for a second.
4. The “Overly Friendly” Script: Trying to get personal to bypass your natural suspicion.

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He says the moment you engage with the person is when they feel in control. Don’t relinquish control in the first place: don’t engage; don’t answer; don’t explain; don’t negotiate. Breaking the script doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply say, with confidence, “Stop! Back up! I can’t help you!” Or “No! I said no! Move along!” Or “I don’t know you! Stay away from me!” You’re not being rude, you’re being clear.

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Their reaction to your clarity might be any of the following, according to Mazzagatti:

1. Confusion
2. Babbling
3. Break Eye Contact
4. Step Back
5. Pivot
6. Defensive Posture
7. Exit Line

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By being purposefully clear in your communication, you’ve gone from being an easy victim to being a troublesome problem in the eyes of the predator, who will most likely leave you alone to find a less situationally aware person. Think of it this way: you’re interrupting a process that depends on your cooperation. Don’t cooperate.

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Watch other safety videos by Stephen Mazzagatti on the Defend Confidently YouTube Channel. And secure the free Personal Safety & Situational Awareness Guide by Martell Training Group.

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