I highly recommend that every woman reads "The Sociopath Next Door" by Martha Stout.

I was surprised to learn that the single greatest indicator of a sociopath isn't violence, but pity.

Stout writes, "I am sure that if the devil existed, he would want us to feel very sorry for him"

Truly evil people know how to exploit the social contract and manipulate other people's emotions for their own benefit. They are dangerous because they do not feel those emotions themselves, and feel no obligation whatsoever to hold up their end of the social contract. Because they have no conscience, they feel NO COMPUNCTIONS about endlessly taking advantage of others. They will just take, take, take, and feel zero moral obligation to provide anything in return.

Almost every page of this book has some kind of mind-blowing quote, which is why I recommend reading the entire book, but the most important takeaway is this:

"If you find yourself often pitying someone who consistently hurts you or other people, and who actively campaigns for your sympathy, the chances are close to 100 percent that you are dealing with a sociopath."

Keep this in mind next time you see a guy whine that women fearing for their lives is "bad for men's mental health" or "sexism against men". Men who say stuff like that are demonstrating that 1) they are extremely self centered, and 2) lack empathy (for women, in this case). This is textbook sociopath/narcissist behavior.

Men who say these things are also promoting a narrative that hurts women, and makes it easier for predatory men to take advantage of them. They are literally campaigning for your sympathy while hurting other people. That puts them squarely in "sociopath" territory, and should be avoided at all costs.

Men who are not sociopaths don't say shit like this. HVM are not self centered and they feel empathy for women and want us to be safe.