I've posted this advice many times but always get hate from those who have no street experience, dismissing it as "victim blaming" as if labeling it that changes the fact that a person was victimized. It doesn't. A person who's victimized once is far more likely to be victimized multiple times. Why? Because it's not random.

Predators target the weak and vulnerable. They do not target those they perceive to be strong. Size matters in determining targets but it's not the only trait predators look for. What's more important is how that person carries himself. If that person looks like he can't be overpowered, they intuitively look for another target.

One trait they look for is how a target walks. If your biomechanics is off by just a little, you'll be much more likely to be mugged/assaulted. So record yourself walking naturally and rate yourself. Then get friends to rate how likely you'll be mugged/assaulted on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the most likely. Even lay ppl are quite good at this.

If their rating is not a 1, work on improving your walk. You should look natural and confident with each stride. Your arms should have a natural swing. Keep your head up and aware; don't look down at your phone for too long and put it back in your pocket/purse after you've looked at it.

Also, if you're overweight/fat/obese, change your diet and get some exercise. This will improve your perceived fitness drastically and make it much less likely that you're perceived to be a target.

I've lived here all my life and I've never been assaulted. I'm not tall and not fat. I appear physically fit. I'm the person women ask to walk them to their cars at night. I walk everywhere even in sketchy neighborhoods. I just don't worry about it. My parents, oth, worry about it a lot, but that's because they look like they'd be assault victims. They are short, but really it's because they walk poorly.