subject: How to Learn Martial Arts and Save Your Money [print this page] Another important aspect of defending yourself comes not from the physical but the mental. If you are constantly aware of your surroundings, you automatically decrease your chances of becoming the victim of a violent crime. Criminals tend to prey on easy targets. This can include anyone who looks like they are distracted. They count on the element of surprise to win the fight, so if you are always on guard, they might just walk right past you. So simply start by becoming more aware of your surroundings and limit your distractions when you are outside of the house, and you will already increase your chances of not becoming the victim of a violent crime.