Hate-crime information shows that if you're a gender- or sexual-minority American, you're more likely to be a victim of personal attacks and violence. U.S. Supreme Court decisions show that law-enforcement officers aren't obligated to protect you from crime. Crime-prevention information shows that if you fight back strategically, especially with a firearm, you're more likely to reduce an attack and survive.

Not every attack can be prevented or stopped, but there are things you can do to increase your self defense. This advice is based on information published by crime-prevention experts including the national Anti-Violence Project, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and other groups. Remember, self defense is always your right.

+ PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

Don't share your personal information with anyone you don't know, especially online chatters, telephone callers and strangers at your door. If you share your published telephone numbers with someone, for example, they can find your real name and street address, or vice versa.

Never share your security pass codes with anyone. No matter who they say they are or why they say they need your codes, they don't. If someone asks for your codes, report them to your online and security providers. If you think someone knows your codes, change them.

Carry or keep a cellular- or separate-telephone line as an emergency line. Taking a telephone off hook renders other connected telephones inoperable. An emergency line with you will give you one more way to alert others. All telephones, even inactive cellular telephones, are able to call 9-1-1 emergency services without charge.

If you receive an abusive or suspicious telephone call, press one of the touchpad keys and say "Officer, this is the caller I'd like traced and investigated." This is usually enough to make the caller(s) stop. Keep a written log of such calls.

When you meet someone with whom you've chatted online, you're really meeting that person for the first time. When you're online, you don't have non-verbal cues such as voice inflection or body language to help your judgment of their honesty or intentions.

+ REDUCE YOUR RISK

Plant defensive shrubbery around your home, especially beneath windows. Shrubbery with thorns or stiff, spiky leaves aren't good hiding places for an attacker(s). Use indoor and outdoor lighting strategically. When moving into a house or apartment, always change or rekey the locks. Otherwise, the previous resident and anyone to whom they gave keys has unrestricted access to your new home. Make all strangers including utility workers and law-enforcement officers show you a picture identification before they enter your home.

Travel with others, preferably friends. When returning friends home, develop a signal that involves more than simply turning a light on. A more complex signal, like turning the light on and off three times, will be distinct and make potential danger clear. Give the impression that you're not home alone; shout over your shoulder, or indicate in some way that there is someone with you.

If you must walk alone, do so assertively. Be alert and aware of your surroundings. If you're intoxicated, drugged, tired or upset, try not to show it. Assailants look for easy targets and vulnerability.

When you're at gender- and sexual-minority businesses, don't assume you're in a safe place. Learn and avoid your local "danger zones" where others have been attacked. Travel busy, well-lighted areas. Avoid shrubbery or doorways that might hide an attacker(s). Look for potential problems, and be prepared to react to them. Mix your own drinks or watch them being mixed, and never leave them unattended. Adding date-rape or other drugs to your drinks is an easy way to cloud your judgment before an attack. If you're able to take a taxi or bus to your destination, do so.

When meeting someone for the first time, always arrange to meet in public, not a secluded place such as a motel or private home. If you leave with someone you've just met, introduce that person to a friend or even a bartender. Make sure that person knows you've told other people that you're leaving together. Contact your friend later or ask your friend to contact you at a predetermined time. If you're unsure about leaving with someone, don't.

+ INCREASE YOUR DEFENSE

If you feel unsafe, trust your instincts and act accordingly, or excuse yourself and leave immediately.

Give yourself permission to be impolite or overly cautious. You don't have to talk to strangers who approach you. Avoid close-up conversations with anyone who makes you uncomfortable. If anyone asks you a question or request directions, yell back a response rather than approach them. Aggravated verbal exchanges often result in violence. If anyone taunts or harasses you, don't respond unless you're prepared for a fight.

Check your surroundings before getting out of your car. If anyone or anything strikes you as suspicious or threatening, drive away. Keep your car keys separate from your other keys. Give attendants or mechanics your car keys only to prevent duplicates being made. Save time by carrying your keys when walking to and from your car, home and business. Make brief eye contact with people who walk towards you to determine whether they're a threat and to let them know you're aware of their approach. Be aware of who is behind you. If you think someone is following you, increase your distance from them. Walk closer to the street or cross the street. Enter a business or public accommodation. Run if you need to.

Don't carry more money than you need, but always have change for an emergency telephone call or taxi fare. Carry only identification which doesn't have your address. Wear no jewelry and nothing around your neck that someone could grab. If you bring someone home, leave nothing valuable in sight. It could be stolen while you're in the shower or sleeping.

An attacker(s) expects a passive victim; don't be one. Take a self-defense class; a wide variety of them are available, and each should be considered carefully for relevance to your own situation. Learn and apply to use a lethal or nonlethal weapon like a firearm, knife, stun gun or pepper spray, and a whistle or personal siren to attract attention. Take a close-quarters-combat shooting class as well as a martial-arts class (from a private instructor if possible).

+ FIGHT OR FLIGHT

Try to deescalate the attack; stay calm and, if the motive is robbery rather than assault, don't resist. Consider your options as "fight or flight;" run from the attack if you can and defend yourself if you must. While you should always minimize your risk of attack by avoiding it, most federal and state laws let you defend yourself if you're attacked or see an attack of others, including your family and friends.

A single heavy blow to your face or head could be fatal. If you fall or are forced to the ground, tuck your head into your arms.

Make a lot of noise. If you carry a whistle or siren, use it. Yell "fire!" Bang garbage cans. Knock on doors. Call 9-1-1 emergency services, and ask for law-enforcement officers.

Once violence has begun, however, fight back without hesitation; keep attacking until your target is completely disabled. The biggest mistake that most people make is to stop once they have had to begin violence. An attacker(s) is no less vicious if you're passive, and they often don't expect much resistance from their victims. Surprise them; fight dirty. Hit their vulnerable areas including their face, groin, throat and solar plexus. Stomp. Kick. Knee. Scream loudly. And, as soon as you can, run.

If you have a weapon, use it to stop the attack. This happens usually when you display your weapon. While you should always minimize your risk of attack by avoiding it, most federal and state laws let you defend yourself with deadly force, which includes injuring or killing the attacker(s), if it's your only way to stop the attack.

+ GET HELP

Get medical help immediately from the nearest hospital if you or others need it. Many states compensate victims for injuries sustained during a crime.

Call 9-1-1 emergency services, and ask for law-enforcement officers if you haven't already. You may call from the hospital if necessary. Have any officers with whom you speak tell you their names, badge numbers and criminal-report numbers. Ask to see criminal photographs in case your attacker(s) has a record. Don't let anyone discourage you from reporting the attack and pursuing its full prosecution.

Try to describe in writing the incident and what the attacker(s) looked like.

If your keys are stolen with identification, don't return home alone, notify your roommate(s) and replace your locks.

Don't be ashamed; ask a friend to be with you and help you as soon as possible. Don't try to deal with the incident alone.

Victims are often disoriented and may have difficulty attending even to simple tasks. This is normal. Ask your friends for help in dealing with the law-enforcement officers, health-care providers and criminal-justice officials. Get in touch with local support services for crime victims.

Be smart. Be alert. Protect yourself.

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