PERSONAL SAFETY

Every person has the right to live without fear or restriction. In reality however we must recognise this is not the ideal world and risks exist. Difficult or dangerous situations can be avoided by being aware of possible problems and thinking ahead about strategies to deal with them.

HAVE A SAFETY PLAN


This means thinking about what you would do when you feel unsafe or threatened. It is like doing a fire drill. You may wish to discuss with your family. friends and associates what could be done in these situations.

Remember ideas that suit you and which you believe you could carry through, then picture yourself actually doing it.
Planning ahead or thinking about possible options may enable you to think more clearly when faced with a problem, and give you the confidence to carry out your plan.

There are no hard and fast rules about what to do. Trust your instincts and do what makes you feel safe Feeling unsafe and asking for help is not a foolish or irrational thing to do.

DEVELOPING A NETWORK

Developing a network of people you trust and can contact for advice or assistance in an emergency, or if you feel your personal safety is being threatened, is an important aspect of a safety plan. People you might consider for your network are relatives, friends or community groups, neighbours and police.

SAFETY WHEN WALKING

One of the first rules is to be alert and walk purposefully, use your peripheral vision.
If approached when walking, maintain a comfortable distance while you answer questions or give directions. If you continually use a particular route and this makes you feel uneasy then try to vary it. Trust your instincts. Try to keep to well lit roads and paths where you are visible and where potential ambush sites are also well lit.

Walk around the vacant block or park rather than taking a short cut. Avoid unpopulated or deserted areas. Walk facing the oncoming traffic so a car can not pull up behind you unnoticed. If a car does approach you and you are threatened, scream and run away in the opposite direction . . . this will gain you vital seconds and make it more difficult for the car driver to follow. lf you can, make a note of the number and description of the car.

If you believe you are being followed on foot, cross the road, change direction more than once if necessary to confirm your suspicions. If you are still suspicious go to the nearest place where there are other people, i.e. a garage, hotel, police station, shop etc. Call the police as soon as you get to a safe place.

IF YOU ARE ATTACKED or THREATENED

Your reactions will depend on the circumstances Trust your instincts. Remember, your survival is your main priority.
It is sensible however, to think about what you would be prepared to do if you were physically attacked Could you fight hack or would you play along and wait for a chance to escape?

Preparing yourself for all possibilities could provide you with a split second advantage. If you are cornered or threatened, shout and scream. This is worth doing even if there is no one else near by, as it may unnerve your attacker and frighten him off.

If you are actually attacked only you can decide whether to fight back. A woman who is being attacked has every right to defend herself will reasonable force. An umbrella, hair spray or your car keys are all examples of items often carried which could possibly be used against an attacker.