Tips for Surviving a Home Invasion

The term “home invasion” has a broad definition, but usually involves a home intruder who is intent on robbing the home and usually performs acts of violence on those inside (whether premeditated or incidental). Because it is not technically a specific crime in the United States, however, people never face a conviction of “home invasion,” but rather, usually of robbery, assault, rape, or other crimes involved during the event.

The intruder usually gains access through one of several ways, but, shockingly, no entryway is used more frequently than the front door.

“A knock or bang on the door is how most home invasion robbers make their way inside,” said Sgt. Neal Glassman, of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Robbery Unit.

And indeed, a home invasion occurring in Lake Worth, FL last year involved a police major who shot and killed a man who forcefully made his way into the major’s home after he answered a knock at his front door.

Even celebrities have fallen victim to this terrifying crime. Fran Drescher, who is best known for starring in the successful 90′s sitcom The Nanny, as well as her signature quirky voice and laugh, was herself a victim in the early 90′s of a home invasion that involved a traumatic rape and led to psychological issues that she says inevitably ended her marriage.

Drescher recently opened up to Larry King about the experience, revealing that there were two intruders.

“Two brothers,” she says. “One robbed my house and loaded up my car with all of my possessions, the other one raped myself and my girlfriend.”

Drescher then recalls that the men tied her husband up and forced him to watch the rape. Luckily, however, she’s managed to turn a negative into a positive, noting that “You have to be able to know when you’ve gotten sideswiped one Wednesday afternoon and your life changes forever that you must let go of that plan.”

While home invasions occur less frequently than simple robberies or break-ins, the facts and figures surrounding the crime are nevertheless astounding. In North America alone, for example, a reported 8,000 home invasions occur every single day, while 50% of those involve the use of a weapon. In 11% the intruder is not a stranger, but either a friend, a business associate, or even a relative.

We all know what we can do to prevent a home invasion—some of it is simple common sense. A peep-hole is detrimental in knowing who is at your front door and deciding who you should open the door for. Installing security alarm systems are a must, and even putting bars on your windows—although they can be unsightly—can only help.

Say, however, that after you’ve taken all the necessary precautions someone still manages to invade your home while you’re in it.

There are things you can do to both help prevent being a victim of home invasion, and, ultimately, to defend yourself in the event that you come face to face with this unfortunate and terrifying situation.

Firstly, you must remember that your best initial defense is to STAY CALM. Panicking, screaming or furiously attempting to escape will only aggravate the intruder, and if he’s carrying a weapon he’ll most likely try and use it if it means calming you down. It is also imperative that you remain COOPERATIVE. Absolutely no amount of money or property is worth getting hurt or potentially killed over—especially if you have a family in the house with you! Follow the intruder’s instructions carefully as more often then not they will be more interested in cash than actually hurting you.

Another tip is to try and avoid looking the intruder in the eye. Identifying the victim may be helpful after the invasion is over, but your number one priority should always be to STAY ALIVE, and intruders will more than likely try and harm you if they realize you’ve gotten a good look at them. That being said, however, there are plenty of things you can notice about the intruder that can help you identify him later, like what he is wearing, noticeable scars, the tone of his voice or distinguishing odors. Be aware, but don’t be obvious!

There are those extreme cases where you will be confronted with a direct assault, however, and in these cases you may have to use deadly force. In most states you are able to use deadly force within your own property when your life is in danger, and if you have mace or a gun nearby when you’re being physically attacked, use them if the opportunity presents itself, but be careful and never try and shoot the intruder if they have a gun pointed at you unless it is your last chance for survival! And if you are reduced to physically defending yourself with your fists, aim for the eyes, face, groin, and other areas which might temporarily incapacitate your attacker. Ultimately, the goal is to escape and you should take the opportunity to run the second your attacker goes down.