Defense for Women: Where It Happens

Most women think violence occurs in dark alleys and dangerous neighborhoods. The reality is very different. In this episode, David Burnell explains why predators often target transitional spaces such as parking lots, gas stations, apartment complexes, and other everyday locations where attention drops and vulnerability increases. Learn how awareness can help you recognize opportunity before a predator does and why winning early is one of the most effective forms of self-defense.

Full Episode:

Welcome back to the David Burnell Podcast, and welcome to another episode of Defense for Women.

Today I want to talk about one of the biggest misconceptions people have about violence. Most people believe danger exists somewhere else. They picture dark alleys, abandoned buildings, dangerous neighborhoods, or places they would never intentionally visit. They imagine violence announcing itself through obvious warning signs and danger being easy to recognize. Unfortunately, reality works very differently. Violence can happen anywhere, at any time, and often in places we move through every single day without giving them a second thought.

One concept I teach in personal security is called transitional spaces. A transitional space is any place where people move from one environment to another. It might be the walk from a store to your car. It might be the parking lot outside your workplace. It could be a gas station, a hotel lobby, an apartment complex, a stairwell, an elevator, or even the short walk from your vehicle to your front door. These are locations where people naturally shift their focus from their surroundings to the next thing they need to do. And because attention shifts, awareness often drops.

Predators understand this. In fact, they depend on it.

Most criminals are not looking for the strongest person in the area. They are not looking for the toughest target. They are looking for opportunity. They are looking for a distraction. They are looking for isolation. They are looking for someone who is focused on something other than them. They know that people become vulnerable during transitions because the mind is occupied with tasks rather than awareness.

Think about how often you leave a store and immediately begin thinking about something else. Maybe you’re looking for your keys. Maybe you’re checking your phone. Maybe you’re loading groceries into your vehicle. Maybe you’re managing children, answering a text message, or mentally reviewing your day. Your body is moving through the environment, but your attention is somewhere else entirely.

That’s exactly what predators look for.

One of the most common locations for criminal activity is not some remote back alley. It’s a parking lot. Parking lots combine several factors that criminals find attractive. People are often distracted. Distances between individuals can be significant. Escape routes are plentiful. Vehicles, structures, or lighting can limit visibility. Most importantly, people often let their guard down because they see parking lots as nothing more than a way to get from one place to another.

A predator standing in a parking lot sees something entirely different. They see people whose attention is fixed on their phones. They see individuals searching through purses and pockets for keys. They see people carrying bags that limit movement. They see people walking alone. They see people who never look up and never scan their surroundings.

Bad guys want it easy.