Avoiding Abduction & Assaults

Empowering You and Your Family with Life-Saving Self-Defense Knowledge

As the holiday season approaches, our world buzzes with excitement—shopping sprees, family gatherings, and festive cheer. But amid the joy, it's easy to let our guard down, especially in busy parking lots or crowded stores. That's why I'm sharing this comprehensive guide based on my anti-kidnapping, anti-abduction, and sexual assault class. Originally taught at events like Prepper Camp, this content is designed to equip you with practical, no-nonsense strategies to protect yourself and your loved ones. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or anyone navigating today's risks, knowledge is your strongest weapon.

I've been training in martial arts since 2002. I started with Kuk Sool Won and expanded into Taekwondo (both Moo Duk Kwan and Kukkiwon styles), close-quarters combat, Brazilian and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, sports Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and now Krav Maga. If you're wondering which style to try, I recommend Krav Maga hands down. It integrates stand-up fighting, ground work, weapon defense, and real-world self-defense, pulling everything together cohesively. Schools offer free trials—grab your family and make it a bonding experience. Martial arts isn't just about punches; it's about building confidence, integrity, and resilience.

This guide preserves the full depth of the class, including stark statistics, personal anecdotes, and step-by-step techniques. It's long because every detail matters—lives depend on it. Let's dive in, eyes wide open, and turn awareness into action.

The Harsh Reality of Human Trafficking: Shining Light on the Darkness

Human trafficking isn't a relic of history; it's the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in the U.S. today. When I researched Tim Ballard (the force behind The Sound of Freedom) for my Changing Earth Series novel Dark Days in Denver, I uncovered a gut-wrenching truth: over 300,000 people in the U.S. are enslaved right now. Slavery didn't end—it's evolved into a $150 billion industry (as of 2020-2021 data from sources like Valuetainment podcast episodes on the topic).

Child Exploitation Statistics

A child can be trafficked 30-40 times daily for 7-10 years. Once "used up," they're often discarded for organ harvesting or worse. Every 30 seconds, a child is trafficked (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children).

Global and U.S. Scale

There are over 40 million victims worldwide (International Labor Organization). There has been a 30% spike in child trafficking since COVID-19. The U.S. is the top consumer of child pornography, with production and distribution rising exponentially.

Border Crisis Impact

During open borders, hundreds of thousands of migrant children vanished, funneled into sex slavery and the porn industry. About 100,000 children are missing from the border (data from a couple of years ago—numbers have climbed). Annually, 18,000-20,000 slaves are trafficked into the U.S. Mothers sometimes sell their own kids as a "meal ticket" amid financial desperation—utterly against biblical principles and heartbreaking. Trump made strides shutting down borders and exposing this during his first term, but we can't ignore it now. Silence breeds darkness; talking about it brings light. If we don't stand up, it festers.

Economic hardship targets the vulnerable: runaways, homeless youth, abuse survivors, immigrants, and refugees. One in seven runaways ends up trafficked—get kids off the streets fast. 99% of victims are women and girls; 75% for sex trafficking. 80% of minors are 12+. That's prime age for parents to loosen reins ("You're old enough to go to the store alone"). Trust is great, but predators lurk. 80% of victims are never rescued—and survivors need lifelong support. Donate to organizations rebuilding their lives post-trafficking.

Perpetrator Profile

Typically, perpetrators are males aged 18-35, unemployed, with alcohol or drug issues. They lure victims via fake jobs (modeling, acting, singing: "We'll make your kid a rock star—meet here"), debt bondage (e.g., smuggling immigrants who "owe" $15,000, hooked on drugs like fentanyl), or social media playgrounds.

Online Predators: Social Media's Dark Underbelly

Social media is a trafficking hotspot: 500,000 predators target kids daily. The FBI dedicates agents to pose as 12-year-olds in video games to catch them—it's rampant. 33% of internet sex crimes happen on social media; 48% of child kidnapping victims met captors there.

Kids' Habits

One in four children freely shares personal information online. 40% switch privacy settings from private to public on their own. 89% of online child sexual exploitation occurs in chat apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Snapchat (where messages vanish in minutes).

Luring Statistics

One in 33 kids is lured into sexual chats or meetups via the internet.

Parenting Hacks

• Keep computers in public spaces (e.g., my son's is in my office—easy walk-ins).

• No smartphones for young kids; opt for flip phones (they'll hack YouTube on it anyway, but it deters social media).

• Monitor phones: You're entitled to check. Pausing TV? Red flag—ask why.

• Ditch parental controls (prohibition failed historically); prioritize open talks. Kids outsmart us—they're digital natives.

• Limit information sharing; use aliases or fake emails. Facebook's reckless with data—it's a grooming site.

• Watch for grooming in games/YouTube (algorithms push non-wholesome "kid" content).

• Positive cloud seeding: Social media breeds keyboard warriors—I'm barely on it (most active on X).

  
  

Resource: Michael Loftus's website (michael-loftus.com)—a goldmine from a Boston boxer who taught self-defense pre-#MeToo. Great for family exercises. Don't panic—web's for education and entertainment. Ask teachers about school programs; learn them yourself. Conversations at dinner build enlightened kids who self-monitor.

Parenting in a Predatory World: From Free-Range to Safe-Range

I grew up X-Gen: Mom booted us out to "pick mushrooms on the highway" till dark—free-range paradise. Then fear swung us to helicopter parenting, birthing entitled "wussies" who can't fend alone (showing up to job interviews with Mom?). Balance: Safe-range kids—lifeguard style. Observe from the edge, available but not hovering.

• Birthday party with six teen boys? I was nearby, not glued.

• Son going to a friend's? I tail discreetly; he checks in on arrival and departure.

• No more "don't see you till dark"—but explain why boundaries exist.

  
  

The Myth of Scaring Kids

Myth: Telling kids about dangers scares them into paralysis. Wrong—they need realities to respect rules. No explanation? You're just "mean Mom." Practice techniques hard (I've choked out in class—hurts for days, but builds resilience). Cognitive dissonance preps them: Power through discomfort now, survive worse later.

Kids do dumb things—12,000 die yearly from unsupervised play; 9 million hospitalized. Unguided? 2.4 million end up in prison; 170,000+ overdose deaths (fentanyl surge).

Personal Story

A family member's assault (he'd hurt others too). Silence left me vulnerable—my cousin intervened, but talking earlier could've prevented it. Break chains—share your experiences.

"Never Talk to Strangers" Myth

Not always true. Teach: Don't get lured from your spot (e.g., slide = stay at slide). Seek women with kids if alone—but scammers adapt (videos show tag-teams: Fake "mom's friend" + accomplice).

Common Lures

• "Lost puppy" (kids fall for it).

• "Help with my sling/books/trunk" (My helpful kids? Prime targets—now they grab a buddy first).

• Police impersonators (verify back-road stops; fake cop cars are rising).

• Women with "extra" kids blending in.

  
  

Holiday tip: Situational awareness dips—focus on gifts, miss threats.

Parking Lots: High-Risk Hotspots and Immediate Defenses

Parking lots are abduction central. Ditch headphones and phones while walking to your car—keep your head on a swivel.

A Cautionary Story

A martial arts teacher saw a family unload kids at Chick-fil-A, hand iPads, and navigate traffic oblivious. Recipe for disaster.

Public Transit Rule

A Ukraine bus victim had earbuds in and was glued to her phone—she ignored the creep behind her. Public transit rule: Back to the wall, eyes on both directions (front seat if needed, but back's ideal for full view).

Tools for Defense (3-Second Access)

• Metal tac pen (grocery list disguise).

• Window breaker on keys (check legality).

• Keys as stabbers.

• Knife (mine's hip-holstered—thanks, co-host Chin!).

• Firearm as a last resort (close range? They grab it).

  
  

Skip pepper spray (unpracticed, windy blowback, safety clips forgotten—buy two, train one). Tasers? Fragile, need charging. Car alarms? Ignored. Better: Amazon noise makers ("woo-woo") or survival whistles (free at Prepper Camp—hiking bonus).

If Approached

• Never go to a secondary location (car = secondary; one survivor in dozens I've met).

• Yell "Fire!" not "Help!" (phones record "help"; "fire" mobilizes).

• If a kid: Circle the car, climb under, pull the fire alarm.

• In a car: Grab the wheel, kick the driver or seat, blare the horn, jump out (slow speed is okay).

• Backseat: Kick the front seat.

• Trunk: Fold-down seats (tough when tied, but try).

• Be resistant—humans pick easy paths (blackberry bush vs. trail).

  
  

Vehicles marked for later grabs (stickers or strings on windows)—inspect yours. Backpacks, hoodies, and jackets can be handles. Teach kids to ditch them—unbuckle or slip out, yell. If threatened with a firearm, prioritize no secondary location (they'll torture more there). Your call—fight if the risk of being shot is less than abduction.

Sexual Assault Realities: Stats, Prevention, and Brutal Truths

One in five girls and one in ten boys are sexually victimized before adulthood. 25.8% of sex offenders are juveniles (96% target peers; 90% forcible). Watch older siblings and friends. The U.S. Sex Offender Registry has over 786,000 entries (as of February 2023), with a +3% yearly increase. There are 237 offenders per 100,000 residents. 29.6% distribute or manufacture child pornography (the U.S. is the number one consumer).

Abusers are often known (e.g., my uncle). Teach boundaries: Gym coach views are okay, but touches are not. 34.1% of victims are under 12.

Unwelcome Encounters

If faced with an unwelcome encounter, remember that men's anatomy consists of cartilage (like ears)—grab or rip if needed. Gross? They're the aggressor.

Dating Safety: No More Fairy-Tale Pickups

Drive, Uber, or have a friend take you to dates—never let him pick you up the first time. A battle buddy is ideal (double date). Tell someone your plans and check in with a call ("Home by 8, Sally!").

Drinking Precautions

If drinking, pre-plan your ride. Open your own drinks (wipe rims—drugs can be slipped in via edges or balloons). Test kits: Nail polish or coasters can detect drugs.

A Cautionary Tale

A girl at a solo pool party blacked out—she was needle-pricked on arrival. Vigilance is key. If your intuition is off, leave immediately. Consent is revocable at any time (naked does not equal obligation).

Bar Safety

Order an "angel shot" (bartender code for help—Google if clueless). Hand signals? None are universal—fake a chat with a "sheepdog" (protector type) to deter stalkers. A battle buddy for runs or gym visits is safer.

Captivity Control: Breaking Free Mentally and Physically

Traffickers use threats ("Kill family"), isolation, emotional manipulation, drugs, and dehumanization ("No one wants you").

The Impact of Stockholm Syndrome

Stockholm syndrome hits fast (3-hour bank robbery hostages defended their robber). Cities breed sociopaths—brains are wired for 110-person tribes; millions overwhelm compassion (as seen in the Ukraine bus stabbing: bystanders froze).

Planning an Escape

If you're a prisoner, plan your escape quietly. Befriend your captor (push boundaries), appeal to their compassion, and stay stubbornly hopeful. A WWII Polish survivor said, "They took everything but my spirit." Go out fighting—adopt a mad dog mindset (90% will, 10% skill).

Escapes: Hands-On Techniques (Practice These!)

Recorded demos (no edits—real struggle shown):

Zip Ties

• Use paracord shoelaces (or stout laces; paracord necklaces or headwraps for kids—avoid stiff bracelets).

• Loop under hands and knot tight.

• Bicycle legs for friction and pull hands apart. This method breaks any size—sweat helps. Life's worth the grind.

  
  

Duct Tape

• Keep elbows flared (not straight—easy to break).

• If taped, slam elbows to hips—this snaps layers.

• Sweat or stretch can undo the tape; rub it on your belt for friction. Crinkly tape is tougher—persist.

  
  

Handcuffs

• Pick with a paperclip, soda can, or bobby pin (filed) between your teeth—push the mechanism.

• But: Double-locks thwart (police-grade). Easier: Universal keys ($5 for a 10-pack on Amazon—works for ASP/S&W).

• Hide them: Hat clip, purse, or sewn in jeans or skirt patch. Bad guys use cheap ties or tape more.

  
  

Making a Difference: Start at Home, Act as a Stranger

Home Front

• Talk about trafficking at dinner—brainstorm scenarios and tools.

• Dads: Be positive role models (sheepdogs vs. wolves). Mutual respect in marriage is crucial (27 years for me—teamwork, no traditional roles).

• Moms: Be present and loving—not just meal tickets.

• Love and education equal power.

  
  

Spotting Victims

Strangers can save lives. A bus driver called out a shady drop-off that ended a nightmare. A flight attendant spotted an uneasy kid and rescued them from a man. Signs to look for include no documents or money, schedule control, abuse, malnutrition, hygiene issues, fear, submissiveness, and scripted answers (re-ask basics to trip them up). Living or working in the same spot? That's a red flag.

Hotline

If you suspect trafficking, call the hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text "BeFree" (anonymous—alerts law enforcement). Play the PSA—save lives.

Final Charge: Warrior Mindset for a Safer World

Find a martial arts school—free weeks abound. Attitude wins: Exude "I'll blind, deafen, maim, or kill" confidence. God's warriors defend His daughters (and sons, elderly—all).

A funny close: At a bachelorette party in a "Deep City" bar—solo white gals amid tension. A guy asked if I was a lesbian? "Yup—all my chicks; touch 'em, see me." It was a safe night—mindset ruled.

I'm prepping a kid-friendly version to spark talks (graphic-free). Kids love my classes—empower them.

Share this—post on YouTube (Author Sara F. Hathaway), changingearthseries.com, PBN. Shorts are coming. Dream, survive, thrive.

Stay vigilant, tribe. Questions? Drop them below.