CSI: Index Anti Social Behaviour Fear of Crime Home Safety Personal Safety Problem Neighbours Vehicles Domestic Abuse Child Safety Slips, Trips & Falls	Personal Safety Introduction Safety for Men Safety for Women Sexual Harassment Rape and sexual assault Hate Crimes Personal Safety When Out and About Introduction The first thing to realise is that violent crime is rare. And from a stranger it is even rarer. The dangers posed for men and women are different: men will be more at risk from a group of other men, whereas women are more at risk from a man on his own. This is not to say that women pose no dangers either. It will entirely depend on the situation you may find yourself in. Again, it is unlikely; however, by taking simple precautions, you can make it even more unlikely, and make yourself feel safer. Safety for Men Although the safety advice that applies to women also applies to men you should also be aware of the following steps you can take: Try to stay in well-lit or busy areas Avoid turning a confrontational situation turning into an aggressive one. Think about how you react when you get angry. If you feel yourself getting angry with someone, or if they get angry with you, try to move away. It takes a brave man to back down from a fight. If you have been attacked, you may want to go to the police, or to a doctor. The doctor may also ask you what has happened, but if you don’t want to tell them, you don’t have to. - From Be Safe, Be Secure Men should also take note about how their actions can be perceived by women. For example, if you are walking behind a woman on her own, she may feel like you’re following her. Don’t walk too close as this will be threatening, cross over to the other side of the road if you have to. You may meet a woman on her own and want to chat her up. Think about how she’s probably going to feel being approached by a stranger when she’s vulnerable. Most importantly, when a woman says no ALWAYS assume she means it. Safety for Women Simple steps you can take include: Out and About: Take a personal attack alarm with you when you’re out on your own. They can give you vital seconds of surprise that will enable you to get away. Keep you house keys and enough change for the bus in your pocket. That way if your bag gets taken you can always get home Remember your safety is more important than your property Keep a firm hold of your bag, make sure the clasp is on the inside so no one can slip their hand in. If you keep your bag strap across your body it could prevent someone taking the chance on your bag. On the other hand they may decide to have a go anyway, in which case you may get hurt whilst they’re taking the bag. You must decide what the best option for yourself is. Generally, if you’re young and strong and in a fairly busy place keeping the strap across your body will make you a less likely target. If you are older, not so strong or on your own, you may be targeted so it’s best to make sure you come out with the least amount of harm. Keep a firm hold but don’t strap it across your body. If you think someone is following you then start going towards a more crowded and preferably, well-lit area. Try crossing the road and see if they follow. Speed up. Don’t take any shortcuts down dark alleys, even if it’ll get you to a well lit area quicker, unless you are prepared to run and think you can make it safely. Walk facing the traffic so that a car cannot come up from behind and surprise you. Remember, if you’re being followed in a car you can change direction much more easily than them. Don’t hitchhike Consider taking classes in self-defence Never get into an unlicensed taxi on your own, preferably book your taxi ahead of time with a reputable firm Avoid sitting in an empty train carriage or bus deck If you’re taking a car, plan ahead. Know your journey route, have enough petrol or money to get more, ideally keep a spare can, remember you may need to detour. Take a mobile phone that’s charged up (although you must remember to turn it off whilst driving). If you think you’re being followed then drive somewhere well populated. If you can’t then attract attention with your lights and horn. If your car breaks down pull over onto the hard shoulder. Staying in the car can be dangerous so you should get out of the car and wait for help on the embankment, leave the passenger door open so that you can jump back in if someone approaches. Don’t accept lifts from a stranger, wait for the emergency services. NEVER cross a carriageway to get to a phone, this is extremely dangerous. Use the roadside phones on a motorway, they only a mile apart at most. At home Make sure your home is secure (See our Home Security section) If you live on your own leave an answering machine message that sounds like you live with someone, i.e. say “we’ll get back to you” If you come home to see your place has been broken into don’t go inside, the thief may still be inside. Go somewhere safe like a neighbours to call the police Draw your curtains after dark Only use your surname in the phone book or on a name plate so that a stranger cannot tell what sex you are. And finally, remember - no matter how you wish to act of dress, you have the right to be free from harassment and assault. No one, whether you know them or not, has the right to make you do anything you don’t want to. Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment can be anything: deliberately rubbing up against you in a tight space, comments that make you feel uncomfortable, unwanted or un-invited touching or advances. For minor sexual assaults in a public place it is probably best to just move away from the person, preferably towards a group of other women. If you feel confident enough then a stern “Take your hands off me” may make them stop and will alert others around you of the situation. If the harassment occurs at work then remember you have rights. First, speak to the perpetrator, or if you prefer then write to them. If this has no effect then speak to a supervisor or person in a position of authority, your employer has a legal duty to provide you with a safe working environment. If you are still unhappy about the action taken then you should contact your union for legal advice and representation. But it is important to know that there is a 3 month time limit from when your employer has completed their action or non-action. The citizens’ advice bureau can also provide lots of information. Links Harassment and the law CAB advice To contact the CAB Equal Opportunities Commission Employment Tribunals website Rape and Sexual Assault Sexual Assault and rape tends to happen in less busy areas. So called stranger rape is in fact extremely rare, it is far more common to be raped by someone you know (eg spousal abuse). Nevertheless, it is important you take precautions against being in remote or lonely areas on your own. Keep a personal attack alarm and/or pepper spray handy and be prepared to use it in defence. However, make sure you keep a tight hold or it might be turned against you. Remember if you’re wearing headphones or talking on the phone you won’t hear someone coming up behind you. If you are attacked Remember you’re not trying to fight the attacker, simply trying to distract them long enough so that you can get away, usually with pain. Always look for an escape route. If attacked from behind use the heel of your shoe to scrape skin off on the shin and stamp on the foot. However, you might choose not to fight back. This is ok, if you are too frightened or are scared that fighting back will worsen the attack then you can choose not to. There are other passive ways you can try to deal with an attack. It depends on how confident you feel and surviving the attack is more important than fighting back. How to resist an attack What to do if attacked If you are assaulted Call the police immediately, they have special female officers trained to deal with rape victims. They will help you all they can, get you medical treatment and, if you want them to, will collect evidence. Try and resist the temptation to wash, you could remove vital clues that will catch the attacker. A time delay will also reduce the evidence, however, it is up to you if you feel able to report the crime. If you decide not to at the time you can still make a report at a later date. Links General advice Be Safe, Be Secure Personal safety information Personal safety tips Hate Crime Hate crime can happen for many reasons: race, religion, sexuality, gender, disability, nationality or anything perceived by others that makes someone different. It is particularly frightening as the attack is personal to you and who you are, or are thought to be. No-one has the right to do this and this crime must be stamped out. The definition used by most police forces in the UK is that 'a racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person.' If you feel you have been the victim of a hate crime contact the police. To contact Grampian Police call 0845 600 5 700. Personal Safety When Out and About Taking a few moments to plan your journey can make all the difference to your personal safety. Always tell someone the route you are taking and when you can be expected home. Travelling On Foot Walk with a friend or colleague if possible or stay near a group of people Stick to well-lit busy streets Wear comfortable clothing and shoes To carry things use a bag slung across your body under a jacket or coat, or a shoulder bag with a short strap and secure fastening. Try to keep both hands free Carry in your pocket your mobile phone if you have one, some change and your keys Walk facing oncoming traffic if possible. If you have to walk in the same direction and a driver stops, simply turn and walk the other way, the driver cannot follow. If you think you are being followed, cross the road and keep walking. If you are still being followed make for the nearest busy area, an open shop or well-lit house and if necessary ask for help. USE YOUR INTUITION - IF YOU FEEL THAT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT - ACT UPON IT RIGHT AWAY. Don't switch off the world by wearing an MP3 player Your voice is the best defence. If you need help shout a positive instruction like "Phone the police". Shouting "Fire" has also been known to draw attention Be prepared to give up your bag or briefcase if snatched Keep a personal safety alarm in your hand and make sure you know how to use it Familiarise yourself with your route and surroundings Avoid passing stationary cars with people in them By Public Transport Try to queue at a bus stop where there are people around At night use a bus stop in a busy well-lit area - if possible check with the bus operator to see if the bus you want is running on time If possible arrange to be met at your destination If possible sit near the driver Check the departure times and let someone know your travel arrangements On A Bike Keep your cycle and lights in good working order Plan a route Wear bright clothing and strips see and be seen Have mirrors and a means of attracting attention Do not wear an MP3 player By Car Keep your car in good working order and have it regularly serviced Consider joining one of the breakdown services Carry in your car a blanket or rug, torch, first aid kit, and important phone numbers Do not have valuables visible in the car when driving. Keep handbags, mobile phones and personal belongings out of reach of open windows When parking in daylight consider what the area will be like in the dark If you think you are being followed keep driving until you reach a busy area, a police, fire or petrol station When you leave the car, lock personal belongings in the boot If someone approaches you when stationary, stay in the car with the doors closed and a window slightly open. Start the engine if it is not running. If in doubt drive away If your car breaks down, turn on your hazard warning lights Before you get in the car check the back seat Tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive Plan your route, when you have the choice, choose main roads Have directions and map in the car If you see an incident or accident, consider if it is safe to stop or more useful to go for help