Civilian violence, in the self-protection ‘world’, is often divided into 2 groups. Understanding the differences between the groups can determine the best strategy to take in self-protection.

Anti-Social Violence

The violence that comes from social posturing is loud and dramatic, and you have probably seen or experienced it many times before in your life. You can see it coming and can choose to avoid it, but if you choose not to, you can handle it with social tools. It almost always happens when there are other people around – witnesses.

You also know how to make this dangerous situation worse by arguing, insulting, or other actions so that it develops from an argument to a fistfight. Typically, it is about satisfying the ego, increasing social status, or trying to teach the other person a lesson, but not about killing. You can still get killed in a pub fight, an argument over a parking space, or any other social confrontation. It’s just highly unlikely. In social situations, you have a choice to prevent it from turning physical.

Asocial Violence

Asocial violence is not manageable with social tools and is far less survivable. Negotiating with a serial killer has no effect, and if someone has decided to stab you for financial or property gain, giving in or backing down only makes their task easier. Asocial violence does not target the victim as a person but as a resource. In the realm of asocial violence, the predator does not acknowledge the humanity of their victim. This violence is also the domain of criminal gangs.

Asocial violence starts quietly, suddenly, and unmistakably. If you’re a sane, socialised person, this type of overwhelming, extreme violence can make you feel ill. That’s because you recognise it for what it is: the breakdown of everything we hold dear. It’s a place where there are no rules, and anything goes. It’s a place where people kill and get killed. There are usually no other people around – witnesses, for asocial violence.

Fortunately, the chances of encountering asocial violence are a lot lower.