When you know the three steps of an assault, you can anticipate it, handle it and emerge untouched.

This is about Step 2:

Say you've been Targeted. If he's like most predators his next step will be Testing. What should you expect?

He'll feel you out with sucker questions like "Hey Miss! Can you help me?" or "Excuse me, Ma'am, do you know what time it is?" or "Do you know where the Sears store is?" Or he'll pay you 'compliments' like "Nice ass!" "Great legs!"

Testing may last ten weeks or ten seconds. He may whisper or holler. He may walk beside you or stop and face you. His come-ons and questions may even sound plausible! Don't be taken in --- your creepy feeling tells you what's really going on: You are being tested. You are in danger. The imminent next act will be the assault itself.

No cop can or will do much for you at this stage. Your husband or boyfriend may tell you you're overreacting. You yourself need to do something.

The moment someone tests you -

Stop.
Step back out of his reach.
Face him and shout: "BACK OFF!"

(- or the F-word version). Make the shout come deep from the diaphragm. Practice at home in front of a mirror. Practice till you can ROAR at maximum volume. Ask a male friend to come to your home and help you practice by shouting at him. Read Paxton's book NOT AN EASY TARGET, Page 38, "Boundary Setting Drills."

Your shouting is also for YOUR benefit --- shouting UNFREEZES you and readies you for fight or flight.

Give yourself permission to be rude. Even if he were an honest guy in need of the time of day, let him buy his own f---ing watch. A real man wouldn't accost you in public in the first place.

Once again, feel free to be rude and vulgar. Use the F-word. Why?

Paxton Quigley did a number of prison interviews with muggers and rapists. To her surprise, several of them recommended that women curse and swear at attackers.

Why? That's the language they're used to hearing from the women they respect --- their mothers and sisters.