Recognising Unusual and Threatening Behaviour

In the previous lesson, we looked at baseline behaviour and the importance of noticing changes.

Sometimes those changes may give us a reason to pay closer attention.

The challenge is recognising behaviour that could indicate an increasing risk without assuming that every unusual action means somebody is dangerous.

Unusual does not always mean threatening

Something can be unusual without being dangerous.

A person may behave differently because they are:

• lost or confused

• upset

• nervous or anxious

• under pressure

• distracted

• affected by alcohol or drugs

• experiencing difficulties that you know nothing about

This is why we should avoid making judgements based on appearance or one behaviour alone.

Instead, consider what the person is actually doing and how the situation is developing.

Behaviour that may need more attention

Certain behaviours may become more concerning depending on the situation.

These could include:

• repeatedly invading someone’s personal space

• aggressive or intimidating language

• sudden changes in tone or volume

• clenched fists or visible physical tension

• pacing or restless movement

• repeatedly looking towards exits or other people

• blocking someone’s route

• ignoring requests to stop or move away

• following or repeatedly approaching someone

• threatening gestures or statements

• becoming increasingly agitated

None of these automatically tells us what somebody intends to do.

What matters is the context, combination, persistence and pattern of the behaviour.

Watch for escalation

Behaviour can change gradually.

A conversation might begin normally but become more uncomfortable as somebody starts speaking more aggressively, moving closer or ignoring attempts to end the conversation.

Rather than waiting for an obvious threat, notice the direction in which the situation is moving.

Ask yourself:

Is the behaviour becoming more intense?

Is the distance between us reducing?

Are my boundaries being ignored?

Is it becoming more difficult for me to leave?

Has the person’s behaviour changed?

A developing situation often gives you more useful information than one isolated action.

Pay attention to boundaries

How somebody responds to a reasonable boundary can tell you something important.

Imagine somebody you do not know starts a conversation with you.

That alone is not threatening.

You say that you need to leave, but they continue the conversation.

You move away and they move closer.

You ask them to give you some space and they ignore you.

The concern is no longer simply that a stranger started talking to you.

The situation has changed because your attempts to create distance and end the interaction are not being respected.

That is useful information.

Notice changes in yourself too

Situational awareness is not only about watching other people.

Notice your own response.

You might find that:

• you become more alert

• your heart rate increases

• you feel uncomfortable

• you want to create more distance

• you begin looking for an exit

• something simply feels different

These feelings do not prove that you are in danger.

Treat them as information rather than evidence.

Pause and look at what is actually happening around you.

Don’t wait for certainty

One of the difficulties with personal safety is that we rarely have complete information.

You may not know whether somebody intends to cause harm.

Fortunately, you do not need to know.

You can make a sensible decision based on the information you have.

Creating distance, moving towards other people, changing direction or leaving a situation does not require you to prove that somebody is dangerous.

NOTICE → THINK → ACT

When behaviour begins to concern you, return to the same simple process.

NOTICE

What is the person actually doing?

What has changed?

Is there a combination or pattern of behaviour?

THINK

Is the situation becoming more concerning?

Are my boundaries being respected?

Where could I go?

What options do I have?

ACT

Create distance.

Change position.

Move towards other people.

Leave if you can.

Get help if you need it.

Recognising concerning behaviour is not about predicting exactly what somebody will do.

It is about noticing enough information to make an earlier decision about what you can do.