The Danger of Physical Restraints: Increased Risk and Trauma for Victims
Aggressors often use restraints during an attack, significantly increasing the risk and trauma experienced by victims. While there's a lack of publicly available data specifically on the statistical outcomes of restraint use, we can analyze its impact through studies on assault and kidnapping.
When aggressors employ restraints on individuals, the statistical outcome paints a distressing picture of the repercussions faced by the victims. Research and data analysis consistently demonstrate that those subjected to restraints by predators are at a significantly heightened risk of experiencing severe physical and psychological harm. This harm often manifests in the form of assault, sexual abuse, and in tragic cases, even death.
The act of restraining individuals is frequently a precursor to further acts of violence or exploitation, leading victims to endure profound trauma with long-lasting detrimental effects on their mental and emotional well-being.
Aggressors use restraints during attacks for a chilling reason: control. By binding, tying, or otherwise restricting a victim's movement, they aim to:
Subdue and Overpower: Restraints make it nearly impossible for a victim to fight back. This increases the predator's dominance and reduces the chance of escape.
Escalate Fear and Intimidation: The feeling of being trapped and helpless is a powerful tool for a predator. It fosters fear and compliance, making the victim less likely to resist.
Facilitate the Crime: Whether the motive is sexual assault, robbery, or kidnapping, restraints allow the predator to carry out their actions with less risk of being stopped.
Prolong the Ordeal: Restraints can extend the duration of the attack, giving the predator more time to inflict harm.
What Are Restraints
These restraints could include handcuffs, zip ties, duck tape, rope, locking someone in the trunk or other methods employed to restrict the movement.
The Devastating Impact on Victims:
The consequences of being restrained go far beyond the physical. Here's what victims often face:
Increased Risk of Injury: Limited mobility makes it impossible to defend oneself, leading to more severe injuries. Strangulation, blunt force trauma, and weapon wounds become more likely.
Psychological Trauma: The loss of control and sense of helplessness can be deeply traumatizing. This can lead to PTSD, anxiety, and depression, making recovery a long and challenging process.
Difficulties Reporting: Shame and fear associated with being restrained can deter victims from coming forward. This can delay healing and prevent the perpetrator from being held accountable.
Challenges with Evidence Collection: Physical evidence can be harder to gather if the victim was restrained. This can weaken the case against the predator and hinder the pursuit of justice.
What the Numbers Tell Us
The National Sexual Assault Hotline reports that 4 out of 5 victims experience physical injuries during a sexual assault (https://www.rainn.org/about-rainn).
A study by the National Institute of Justice found that 72% of stranger abduction homicides involved the use of restraints (https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/preliminary-estimates-developed-stranger-abduction-homicides).
The Takeaway
The use of restraints by predators is a serious concern. It significantly increases the risk of physical and psychological harm to victims. If you are ever in a situation where someone is trying to restrain you it is the best time for self defense and or escape.
If you are a survivor of an assault that involved restraints, there are resources available to help you heal.
Additional Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): https://www.rainn.org/
The National Center for Victims of Crime: https://victimsofcrime.org/
Conflict Resolution Strategies and Self Defense Skills
The Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense (CVPSD) is a non profit 501(C)(3) with a mission to stop violence by educating at-risk people and empower them with the skills needed to protect themselves by providing online and live training.
Through workshops and seminars we educate participants about violence prevention and guide them on assessing risk factors while establishing boundaries in relationships. Additionally practical self defense classes equip people with hands on skills and effective strategies to prevent and intervene in cases of assault. CVPSD reaches individuals and communities through partnerships with schools and other nonprofits, community groups, as well as classes for the public.