WELCOME TO PERSONAL SAFETY FOR WOMEN ( AND GIRLS ) - STAYING SAFE AT HOME, ON THE STREET, ABROAD AND ONLINE.

INDEX:

*Staying safe at home
*Staying safe when out and about
*Staying safe on holiday
*Staying safe online


Note 1: Now you might say that a lot of the information that follows is basic common sense and you'd be right, but bear in mind that what is 'obvious' to you might not be so to someone younger and less worldlywise. Besides, sometimes we all loose track of what is wise and sensible and need to be reminded - for our own good! There are a lot of bad people out there just waiting to catch us off our guard.

Note 2: Some of the following information hails from Britain, some of it hails from North America, so not everything may be applicable to you.


PERSONAL SAFETY - ADVICE ISSUED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S HOME OFFICE:

Most crime is against property, not people, and often carried out on the spur of the moment.
Many crimes can easily be prevented by taking simple common sense precautions.

Personal safety at home:

* Make sure your home is secure. Always lock outside doors and fit a barrel lock to the top and bottom.

* Draw your curtains after dark.

* Leave a light on if you're going out.

* If you hear an intruder, only you can decide how best to handle the situation. You may want to keep quiet to avoid attention in the hope that the intruder will leave. Or you may feel more confident if you turn the lights on and make a lot of noise. Even if you're on your own, call out loudly to an imaginary companion - most intruders will flee rather than risk a confrontation. Ring the police as soon as its safe for you to do so.

* A telephone extension in your bedroom will make you feel more secure.

* Use only your surname and initials in the telephone directory and on the doorplate. Then a stranger won't know wheter a man or woman lives there.

* If you receive an abusive phone call, put the receiver down beside the phone and walk away. Return after five minutes and replace the receiver. Don't say anything - an emotional reaction is just what the caller wants. If the calls continue, inform the police and the operator.

Looking after your home:

* Be alert to people loitering in residential streets.

* Visible burglar alarms may make burglars think twice.

* Fit window locks.

* A high wall or fence at the back of the house can put off a burglar. Check for weak spots where a thief could get in.

* Never leave a garage or shed unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house.

* Mark portable, high value, goods like TV's, hi-fi, home computers, cameras etc. with your post code - keep a list of their serial numbers.

Out and about:

* If you need to walk home after dark, carry a personal alarm.

* Carry your bag close to you. Carry your house keys in your pocket. If someone grabs your bag, let it go. Remember your safety is more important than your property.

* If you think you are being followed, check by crossing the street to see if he follows. If you are still worried go to the nearest place where there are people - a pub or shop.

* Don't take short cuts through dark alleys.

* Don't hitchhike or take lifts from strangers.

* Cover up expensive looking jewellery.

* Avoid wearing a personal stereo - you can't hear traffic or somebody approaching you.

When driving:

* Always make sure your vehicle is in good condition.

* Plan your journey - stay on main roads if you can.

* Make sure you have enough money and petrol, if you have a mobile phone - take it with you.

* If someone tries to flag you down, drive on until you come to a service station or somewhere busy and call the police.

* Don't pick up hitchhikers.

* Keep doors locked when driving.

* Keep valuables out of sight.

* After dark, park in a well lit busy place.

* Have your keys ready when you get back to your car.

* Never leave your car unlocked or a window open.

* Don't leave credit cards, cheque books or your vehicle documents in the glove compartment.

Also:

* From time to time you will need to have a workman in your home to service or repair a domestic appliance or whatever. If you are uneasy about this, why not arrange for a friend to be there with you at the appointed time so that you are not alone. You could do the same for her when see needs it.

* Before going on a journey, either by foot or by car, tell someone ( or leave a note ) saying where you are going, the route you are taking and what time you expect to return.

* To thwart pickpockets, secure the top of your coat/shirt pocket with a safety pin. Simple but effective.

* To prevent someone stealing and running off with your bag whilst you're sitting at a restaurant/cafe table, position the bag at your feet and put the chair leg between the strap(s) of the bag, so the bag cannot be pulled away by a thief. Again, simple but effective.

* Pedestrian underpasses are a great place for an ambush. Rather than take a chance and go through on your own, if you feel uneasy, wait a while till other people turn up and then tag along with them. Safety in numbers.

* If you are being followed at night and you fear you are going to be attacked shout or scream, and bang on doors and call for help. Try the doors of parked cars to activate their alarms. Make as much noise as possible to attract attention.


BURGLAR'S TOP TENS

A few years ago some British career burglars were questioned on what made them choose some houses (to burgle) rather than others. The following were compiled using the burglar's answers.

Top Ten Dislikes:

1) Alert, vigilant neighbours.

2) Lights on and curtains drawn.

3) Cars parked in the driveway.

4) Restricted access to the rear of the house.

5) Security lights on at the front and rear of the house.

6) Dogs.

7) Double glazing/'toughened' glass.

8) Window locks on all the windows.

9) No valuables on display.

10) Internal doors locked.

Top Ten Likes:

1) Open doors and windows.

2) The view of the front of the house obscured by fencing or hedging.

3) Easy access to the rear of the house.

4) No lights left on at night/a house in darkness.

5) Glass panelled front/back doors.

6) Doors without deadlocks.

7) Lots of valuables on display.

8) Patio doors without additional security locks.

9) Unlocked garden sheds and garages - the latter especially so if it has a connecting door to the house. (Tools and ladders not securely locked away will gratefully be used by the burglar to break in.)

10) Louvre windows.

Also:

* If you come home and find signs of a break-in, for example the door is ajar or a window is broken, do not go inside, the intruder might still be there. Rather go to a neighbour's house and call the police and wait outside until they arrive.

* If you go out at night leave some lights on - and the radio, to help fool any potential burglar into thinking there are people inside.

*Three out of ten burglaries do not involve a forced entry, i.e. doors and windows were carelessly left open and the burglar just walked/climbed in and helped himself.


KEYS:

* When you move into a new house or flat, your first priority should be to change the locks, as you don't know who might have keys to the property.

* Never mark or label your keys with your name or address, because if they get lost or stolen...

* Never keep your keys together with means of identity i.e. cheque book, letters, bill, drivers license etc.)

* Never leave your keys in 'hiding places' such as under doormats or flower pots.

* Never give your keys to tradesmen or others, copies can easily be made.

* If you are returning home late at night have your front door key ready so you can quickly let yourself in.


USING TAXIS AND MINICABS:

* Always use a taxi or licensed minicab.

* Taxis (Hackney Carriages) can be hailed in the street. They look like purpose-built taxis or black cabs and have an illuminated taxi sign on the roof.

* Licensed minicabs cannot be hailed in the street. They must be pre-booked. The driver should have ID and the vehicle will have some sort of license displayed on it.

* Cars cruising the streets looking for customers are illegal, uninsured and potentially very dangerous.

* Carry the telephone number of a trusted, licensed company with you.

* If possible, book a taxi or minicab in advance. Ask for the driver's name, as well as the make or colour of the car.

* Confirm the driver's details when they arrive - is it the taxi or minicab you ordered?

* If you are ordering a cab from a public place, try not to let people overhear your name and address - anyone could pretend to be your cab.

* Sharing a taxi or minicab with a friend and sitting in the back of the car are also good safety strategies.

* If you chat to the driver, be careful not to give out any personal details.

* NEVER use taxis or minicabs that are not licensed. If you do you are getting into a vehicle with a stranger. Many people who have used these cabs have been the victim of crimes such as theft, assault or rape.

* If you feel threatened :
- Remember to trust your instincts - if you are at all worried - ask the driver to stop in a busy area, and get out of the car.
- If the driver refuses to stop, use a mobile ( if you have one) to call the police and alert other drivers and pedestrians by waving or calling out of the window.

(Reproduced by kind permission of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, England.)

HOW TO AVOID RAPE: AN ARTICLE TO READ AND PASS ON TO EVERY WOMAN YOU KNOW.


Someone is sexually assaulted in the U.S. every 2.5 minutes, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). And close to one in six women is raped at some point in her life, according to the U.S Justice Department. Knowing how to avoid becoming a victim, along with what to do if you are faced with the situation, is sadly, something every woman needs to know.

If a woman feels threatened, only she can decide what is the best course of action to take in that moment, but research has identified certain strategies that seem to work better than others.

How to avoid becoming a victim:

Anyone can become a victim of sexual assault or rape, but girls in their teens are particuarly at risk - with the age of 14 marking the peak risk age, according to the FBI. Experts advise always staying in well-lit areas and being aware of your surroundings to discourage potential attackers. Further:

* Don't leave your beverage unattended at a bar or at a party.

* Don't accept a drink from an open container.

* Watch out for your friends if you're at a party, and be sure to arrive and leave in a group.

* Don't go to an isolated area with someone you don't know or trust.

* When walking outside, walk facing the traffic so a car cannot approach you unnoticed from behind.

* Don't take shortcuts you're not familiar with or that are routed through dim, unpopulated areas.

* If a motorist stops to ask you a question, keep walking and stay on the sidewalk. Don't approach the car.

* Avoid areas that are filled with bushes, trees or shadows. Stay out in the open, in well-lit, busy areas.


While Driving:

* Keep your car doors locked and your windows rolled up when after dark.

* When you approach your car in a parking lot, keep your keys in your hand, check to be sure no one is hiding inside the car, then lock the doors as soon as you get in.

* Don't pick up hitchhikers or stranded motorists.

* If you're in a traffic accident, don't get out of your car or open the window to talk to the other motorist. Stay inside and wait for the police to arrive.
* Some rapists have impersonated police officers pulling over vehicles. If you are pulled over by an unmarked car at night while you're alone, only pull over in a well-lit area where other people are present. A real police offficer will understand your concern.


At work:

* Avoid stairwells and rarely used hallways.

* Don't get into an elevator alone with anyone who seems suspicious. trust your instincts on this.

* When on an elevator, stand near the control panel so you can push the alarm button in an emergency.

* When waiting for an elevator, stand away from the door so you can't be pulled on.

* Call someone at home to let him or her know when you're leaving work at night, and when to expect you home.

* If after dark, ask a security guard or colleague to walk you to your car/public transportation.

On public transportation:

* Always stay alert; don't sleep or drift off on the bus or subway ( tube train).

* Take a seat close to the driver.

*If someone seems suspicious, move away from the person to a seat closer to the driver or to another car.

*Choose subway cars that are full of people.

* Arrange for someone to meet you at your destination to walk or drive you home.

Crimes of this nature can also take place at a residence, and, among women victims of rape and sexual assault, 70 % of the crimes were committed by intimates, relatives, friends or acquaintances, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

No matter how cautious you are, a rape or sexual assault can still happen. Again, a woman who is faced with this crisis is the only one who can decide what is the best action to take, but the following strategies may be effective.
If you are attacked, yell, scream, hit and kick, and otherwise do anything you can to get away. Doing so may startle the attacker and may cause him to loosen his grip so you can run away.
"There's strong evidence that fighting, screaming and trying to flee are effective," says Sarah Ullman, Ph.D, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Fight back if the attacker doesn't let go. In 2003, the Justice Department reported that weapons were present in rapes and sexual assaults only 11 % of the time. If the attacker does have a weapon, you will have to decide what is the best approach to save your life. Pleading with the attacker may not be the best choice, however.
"Research shows that pleading and reasoning lead to an even higher probability of rape," says Ullman. Many rapists thrive on feeling powerful, and a victim's pleading can feed this need.
What you can do is scream for help, yell "NO" and, if you can get away, run to a well-lit, populated area.

[ Article reproduced by kind permission of http://www.sixwise.com/ Security & Wellness e-newsletters.]

Also...

*Learning self-defence from a qualified instructor, approved by the police, is a great idea. it will give you confidence, but beware of being over confident - and remember, the goal of self-defence is not to beat up your attacker, but to disengage yourself from a dangerous situation and make good your escape.

*Buying a personal alarm is an invaluable and very wise investment and is to be recommended to all women.
These devices when utilised emit a very loud, piercing noise that can both frighten off and disorientate an attacker - and also alert residents/passers-by that you are in distress and need help.
Only buy an alarm that has a 'lock on' facility. (When locked on, even if knocked, dropped or thrown to the ground, it will continue to sound.)
Numerous types of personal alarm are available. This website contains some very useful information on the topic, and will help you decide which is the best one to buy:
http://www.suzylamplugh.org/alarms-and-devices/

* Listen to your intuition. If you feel uneasy about a person, place or situation, don't hesitate, get away quickly.

* If you are threatened or assaulted, try to get a good look at the man and try to memorize as much about his appearance as you can i.e. the style and colour of his hair, facial features, height and build, the clothes he was wearng, and if he had any scars or tattoos, or if he was wearing any distinctive jewellery. This will help the police identify and catch the culprit and stop him doing it to anyone else.

* It is generally accepted that shouting "Fire!" is more likely to bring someone running to your aid than shouting "Rape!".

STAYING SAFE ABROAD:

The British Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued the following advice for female travellers to help protect yourself from becoming a victim of rape and sexual assault whilst abroad.

1) Try and avoid walking alone, particuarly at night. Stick to well lit areas in safe neighbourhoods.

2) Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

3) Make sure you know the address of where you are staying and how to get back.

4) Be aware that drugs are sometimes used in rapes. They are normally colourless and tasteless, and can make you virtually unconscious and defenceless. Once someone has added drugs to your drink, you will not normally be able to detect them. Be aware that rape drugs can also work in non-alcoholic drinks.

5) Nominate someone to watch your drinks, especially if you are leaving the group you are with, for example to go to the toilet.

6) If you are going to drink alcohol, know your limit. Don't drink so much that you are not in control of what you're doing. Alcohol is the most frequently used drug in drug-assisted rape.

7) Never accept drinks from or share drinks with strangers, or from anyone you do not completely trust.

8) Be sure to observe the customs of your destination in terms of appropiate dress and behaviour, particuarly if you are in a non-western country. Dress to blend in with local women.

9) Don't wear expensive jewellery.

10) Walk with a sense of purpose, keep moving and avoid being drawn into conversation.
Don't feel obliged to respond to unwanted questions, such as "What country are you from?"
In many cultures, women walk arm-in-arm, talking continually, to avoid male harassment. If you feel at all vulnerable, follow their lead - find a female companion, or a male one you trust, or go around in a group.

11) Wear a wedding ring - even if you're not married!

12) If harassed on public transport, make a loud fuss.

13) If there are 'women only' areas on buses or trains, use them.

14) Keep your hotel room locked, and don't open the door unless you know who is outside.

15) Never accept lifts or hitchhike.


Also...

*Avoid dirt tracks and unfrequented beaches unless you're in a group.

*Keep to the main roads when travelling on foot or by bicycle.

*When you are in your hotel or guesthouse after dark, make sure that all the doors and windows are securely locked. ( Source: Rough Guide.)


The Canadian Government issued the following advice for travellers regarding drugs.

Do's and Don'ts:

1) Do pack your luggage yourself. Make sure it is locked and never leave it unattended.

2) Do keep an eye on your children's backpacks, toys and stuffed animals. Someone could slip drugs inside without you knowing.

3) Do choose your travelling companions carefully. If they turn out to be carrying, using or selling drugs, you could be charged by association. Make sure they know where you stand on drugs before you leave.

4) Do ask local authorities, a travel agent or hotel staff which areas are unsafe. You could be attacked or arrested if dealers are nearby and it's assumed you are carrying or selling drugs. Always have an up-to-date map with you.

5) Don't carry parcels, gifts or luggage for other people across borders or through customs - under any circumstances.

6) Don't cross a border with a hitchhiker - or as a hitchhiker. If the person you are with is carrying drugs, you could be found guilty by association.

7) Don't use drugs. Period. You can then be sure you won't be joining the significant number of Westerners currently serving drug-related sentences abroad.

STAYING SAFE ONLINE

DirectGov's Staying Safe Online is a most excellent website, containing an abundance of invaluable information.
The site is specifically aimed at teenagers and covers a variety of topics, including: staying safe on social networking sites, the dangers of online chatrooms, meeting online friends, cyberbullying, file sharing and identity theft.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/CrimeAndJustice/KeepingSafe/index.htm

Another equally excellent website is Get Safe Online.
The site is aimed at the adult population as a whole and covers pretty much every online eventuality you could possibly think of.

http://www.getsafeonline.org/