|
A
Guide to Personal Safety:
Presented by: Washington State Crime Prevention
Association
Sexual
Assault Facts:
1. Rapists do not understand or recognize that the victim has
rights
equal to his.
2. According to studies,
71% of al rapes are planned. Often a rapist
takes advantage
of a woman in a vulnerable situation. ( she is hitchhiking, drinking
etc.)
3. Studies show that in at
least 70% of all rapes, the victim and the
offender knew each other. The
assailant can be a friend, date, relative, coworker or casual
acquaintance. Very often in these cases, the
rapes go unreported.
4. Victims do not cause
rape. In stranger rapes, the rapist tends
to select victims who look
frightened, lost, easily intimidated or
seem to be daydreaming.
5. Rape is not an
expression of sexual desire but a violent
expression of anger and a
feeling of being powerless. It is about
humiliation and degradation.
Most rapists have consenting sexual
partners and report normal sex
drives within that relationship.
6. Men can be victims.
Trauma for men can be very ego shattering
since men do not grow up with
a fear of rape. More adolescent
males then women commit suicide during
post-rape depression;
and indication of the severity of their lack of
self- esteem.
7. Exhibitionists and
“peeping Toms” should be considered
potentially dangerous and
reported to the police. These acts
may become part of a fantasy and
escalate into rape.
8. Children are victimized
by sexual assault and often it is by an
adult they know. Be sensitive to
changes in their behavior and
listen to their concerns without making
them feel they were
responsible for the assault.
Introduction:
Protecting
Yourself:
Be prepared to
physically and psychologically protect yourself.
Think ahead. Remember that no one has the right to hurt you.
Fear can be crippling and the
appearance of vulnerability can
sometimes encourage an assailant.
Any
kind of offense against you should make you angry and
indignant.
This
can give you both physical and mental strength.
Anger and assertiveness can also be intimidating to an attacker.
Do whatever you feel will
result in the least amount of
harm to yourself.
It is important to think about how you would respond to
different situation before they occur. Discuss your feelings,
beliefs and fearsabout rape with family and friends. In an
assault situation, your attitude, the specific circumstances,
and the assailant himself will influence your reactions.
The following are
reactions to consider:
The most important things
to come away with as least physical
injury as possible.
You may fear the actual
rape more than you fear physical
injury.
You might be more
concerned about the safety of a member
of your family or close friend in
this situation than you are of
either rape or injury.
The way you react may
depend on your physical condition.
The “ways and whys”
are infinite and it is important that you
understand the different
alternatives or tactics of how to cope
with a rape situation.
Alternative Tactics if
Attacked:
No one can tell you what specific tactic to use. What may have
worked for one victim may not work for you. Evaluate the
situation
carefully. One tactic may either help or antagonize
the assailant
further.
You, as an individual, must deal with the rapist as an
individual.
You must take into consideration the time and place. Panic
and
fear are normal reactions to this situation, but if you allow panic
to take over,
you lose control of the situation.
With so many possible assault situations, there is no one
guaranteed method of defense. Only you can determine what
tactic might
workbest for you. If one tactic does not work, try
another and another
A Diverting Noise:
This is a tactic to use when you have some advance warning of a
situation. It is only useful,
however, if there is someone nearby to
hear the noise to come to your aid or frighten off the assailant.
Sometimes screaming “Call
the Police, Call 9-1-1” (not
Rape or Help), or blowing a whistle may
frighten away
you’re your assailant
a call attention to your problem.
There are inexpensive
electronic devices that send out a
loud noise, much like an alarm. But
it may antagonize him
too. Screaming could make him angrier and he may
use
force to keep you quiet. You must weigh the odds of this
tactic
being successful and how many people are close
enough to help.
Running:
The risk here is that he can run faster and overpower you .
Unless
you are reasonable certain you can reach safely
before he over
takes you, this may be a risky tactic.
Make sure you have a
place to run where someone will
help you.
Keep in mind that your running from him may
be part of the rapist’s
fantasy or he may be angrier should he overtake you.
Gaining: A Psychological Edge:
This is an intermediate tactic when you need precious time
to get over your initial panic and fear. Quickly survey your
predicament so you
can begin to attempt to defuse your
assailant’s anger.
This tactic can take many forms – going limp, sinking to
the
ground and eating grass, hiding your face in order to
stick your finger
down your throat and vomit making
yourself belch, even urinating or defecating on your
attacker. You can act as if you are responding to his
demands (starting to unbutton your blouse) until you
can find a point at
which to safely react. Your ingenuity
is your best guide. Crying might
be effective in some
instances.
Doing something he doesn’t expect may stop or delay
him. The
rapist wants to be in control and finds it
difficult to cope with
something he hadn’t anticipated.
The key is to do the unexpected
convincingly, so
that he doesn’t become more antagonistic.
Remember, the rapist is a
con artist so you have to
be extremely believable.
Do anything that won’t threaten or antagonize him
while you
look for a way to get out of the situation
may keep you from being seriously injured.
Talking:
The first few moments you may be too terrified to utter a sound.
That’s perfectly normal. But you must quickly regain your self
control
so you can evaluate your situation and determine your
best course of
action.
The key to this tactic, which can be successful in aborting an
attack,
is to speak calmly and sincerely as one human being trying to
reach
out to another human being. Be concise, keep your voice under
control and at a medium volume, and keep your facial expressions
calm
and controlled. You should not beg, plead, cower or make
small talk.
Often, that is what your assailant expects to hear and
it may antagonize
him further.
The subject you select should be something in which you are
interested, something about which you can talk comfortably. It
could
range from your pet, a recent movie you’ve seen, a book
you are
reading, to a recent death in the family. The range of
subject matter is
limitless. The important thing in the use of this
tactic is to attempt
to relate the feeling that you are seeing him
as a person.
Hopefully, convincing him that you are seeing him as a person
instead of some sort of monster, will make him perceive you
as an
individual offering your concern and not as his enemy.
Your intent is to
get him to see you as a person and not as an
object on which to venthis
feelings.
You should make an effort to reduce his rage by enhancing
his
ego. Try to gain a psychological advantage over him.
Don’t give a
sermon. He may be trying to rape you because
he thinks women are too “uppity” and it would give him
great satisfaction to knock a moralizing female down.
To his way of thinking, if he can pull you down
it raises his
self-esteem. That’s why it is extremely important to try
to
reach him in a way that will break his fantasy and allow him
to
see you as an individual with honest feelings and concerns.
If something you are saying is antagonizing him further,
switch
to another topic as quickly and smoothly as you can. If
he tells
you to “shut up” do so! Stop talking and try something
else.
Fighting:
This is probably the last tactic to try. If you start by
fighting,
you are now committed to
an extreme response. You should also
keep in mind that all
rapists are potentially violent.
You must be willing and able to inflict serious injury on an
assailant.
It must be done with surprise, speed and resolve. Your tactic
should
be to incapacitate the attacker or at lest slow him down long
enough
to get away.
Studies show that at least half of reported rapists carry a
weapon.
Even if the attacker only says he has a weapon, assume that he
does and he will use it. If you have a weapon, you may very well
have it
taken from you and used against you if you
don’t use it
immediately without
hesitation. Even victims with extensive
training in martial arts are not
always successful attacking an
assailant. Most
responses are reactions,
and unless there is
an instinct and
discipline associated with your response,
it
may very well be inappropriate or ineffective. If you do use a
weapon, do not wait for the assailant’s reaction – get away
instantly. Remember, a weapon is only going
to help if it is at
hand.
You won’t have time to search in a purse, drawer or
glove compartment
to find pepper spray or a stun gun
etc.
If you are going to physically resist, there are several areas of
the
body you should target. The eyes are very vulnerable. Try to push
on
the eyes with your thumbs or a sharp object such as a pen. A
sharp jab
to the larynx can also be debilitating. Squeezing
or pulling
on the testicles will cause immobilizing pain. Also
learn ways to keep yourself from being hurt. If the assailant wraps his
arm around your
neck from behind, always keep your chin down so he
can’t choke
you. If you are knocked to the ground, there is great
power in your
legs from
that position. If he grips your wrist, turn it and pull out of
the grip.
Use a shopping bag, briefcase, umbrella etc. as a weapon.
Submitting to the rape may be the only way to save your life. As
horrible as rape is, you are still alive and hopefully relatively
unhurt.
If you escape alive, you did the right thing.
After
an Assault:
Your immediate concerns should be your physical safety.
Call the police who will make arrangements to get you proper
medical attention.
If you do not want to call the police, contact a crisis counselor
or
sexual assault center. The services are confidential and they will
offer you objective professional advice on how to proceed.
Medical Procedure:
1.
Don’t shower, change clothes or disturb the crime scene.
2.
You will be asked details of the assault that might elicit
very
painful emotions. The professionals involved
recognize the pain and
trauma you are experiencing and
will try to be considerate of your
situation.
3.
You will be checked and treated for any physical injuries.
All
treatment will be your choice and in strict confidence.
A complete
internal examination may be performed to
establish the extent of any
injuries as well as to collect any
evidence should you decide to pursue
the complaint
through the criminal justice system.
4.
It is important that you and your family and loved ones
make
arrangements to receive counseling. Counseling
is vital for a faster
recovery.
Prosecuting:
1.
Most sex offenders are repeaters. Your decisions to
prosecute may
save others from suffering.
2.
Prosecution can be a long and complicated process.
As a victim,
you are a witness for the state and do not
have to hire an attorney.
Many prosecuting attorneys have
victim advocacy programs to help you
through the court
process
3.
Above all, remember you are
the victim of this crime
and there are many people who are sensitive to
your
needs and who are interested and able to help you.
To
The Families and Friends of Rape Victims:
You have the most important role in helping the victim of sexual
assault recover by giving them the reassurance, love, comfort and
support they need.
Often people have a questions about what is the best way to
support a person who has been raped. It is best to give them the
same
kind of support that you would give if they were the victims
of any
other kind of crisis- if they were injured in a car accident,
for example.
Immediate medical attention is extremely important, to find
and
healany damage, to prevent venereal disease, to prevent
pregnancy if
she wishes, and to provide evidence for the trial
is she chooses to
press charges.
Immediately after the assault, they may be in tears or highly
emotional, they may be in mild shock or they may appear calm.
They will probably have feelings of anxiety, anger, insecurity,
guilt and fear. They may hate men, have trouble sleeping,
lose their appetite, have nightmares or be depressed. But
they are not “permanently damaged” or changed. These are
normal responses that will pass with your
understanding, care
and support.
This is probably a painful experience for you as well as the
victim.
You may want to forget it ever happened and not want to talk
about it. But don’t try to make them forget. It is important that
they talk it out with someone who understands. Whenever they
want to talk, listen. And if they remember any new information,
it should be reported
to the police. However, they should not
be forced to talk when they
don’t want to talk. Sometimes
a rape victim is afraid to tell her
family and friends for fear that
they will change toward them.
You or they may think, “What should I have done to prevent
it?”
or, “if I had done such and such, it wouldn’t have
happened”—But
really neither you did anything wrong. There are no
foolproof
precautions. Women are raped at all times of the day and
night, in
all kinds of dress and in all places- including their own
homes. It is
easy t look back and think of what you might have done, but
it is
impossible to look ahead and predict what will happen. Obviously,
if any
of you had known what would happen, you would have
prevented it.
If anyone accuses her of “asking for it” or “enjoying
it”, they should
know that in spite of the mythical stories in some
books and movies,
nobody wants to be raped or enjoys it. Rape is not
normal sex, not
lovemaking, but a brutal assault. Rape victims are not
participants,
but victims of the crime. If anyone tries to make her feel
guilty for
not having fought harder, they should know that rape victims
are in
fear of death, and they should be glad that she is still alive.
If you want to take revenge against the rapist on your own,
that’s
perfectly natural. But it won’t help her. If you wind up in
jail or in the
hospital or dead, it won’t do her a bit of good. Her
well-being is
what is most important. What you can do is help her work
through
her feelings about the rape and help her through the court
process,
if she decides to prosecute.
Preventative
Measures:
By reducing the opportunity for crime in your home, car and on
the
street, you reduce the risk of being attacked.
Sexual assaults can and
do occur in conjunction with other crimes
such as burglary. The more
effective preventive measures and
common sense precautions you take, the
lower your chances are of
becoming a victim of any crime. Whether you
take every precaution
or no precautions, remember you did nothing to
provoke the attack.
Mental attitude, alertness and outlook are the keys to avoiding
problems; whether crimes, auto accidents, or “dumb mistakes.”
Often
our minds are preoccupied with concerns, problems, or events
of the day
and we are unaware of what is going on around us. Be
aware of the world
as you pass through it. Let others who may
observe you see the
confidence, awareness and assertiveness you
project.
Home
Security:
Arriving Home
\ Enter the garage with car doors locked.
Check garage interior before getting out.
Have door keys ready.
Don’t leave the house
door open when carrying in packages between
house and car.
Act as though someone is home: “Hi, I’m home!”
Timers can provide lights when you arrive.
Physical
Security:
All exterior doors should be solid wood core construction.
Use good quality single
cylinder deadbolt locks on all exterior
doors, including the door from
the garage to the house. Install
at least 3 inch screws in your locks
striker plates and hinges.
Have the locks on all
exterior doors re-keyed when you move
into a new house or apartment.
This can be done by a licensed
locksmith at little cost.
Always check to see if all
your doors and windows are locked
before leaving almost half of all
unwanted entry's into homes are
from unlocked doors and windows.
Never hide extra keys
outside your home. Rapists and burglars know
all the best hiding spots.
Keep your doors locked at
all times, even if leaving for only a
moment to go to the neighbors, the
pool or game room, a store, or
even while in the backyard. Rapists and
burglars are opportunists.
Don’t rely
on a chain lock, it is not a security device.
Install a peephole viewer
with a minimum 220 degree viewing angle
in the front door or go to a
window. Never automatically open the
door to a stranger.
Install a lock on your
bedroom door, or use a wood wedge.
Keep the garage door
closed at all times.
Install auxiliary locking
devises to secure sliding glass doors.
A hole drilled through the
overlapping frames and pinned
with a 5/16 inch bolt and anti-slide
blocks can prevent the
door from being lifted out. Also, install Charlie
bars that
can be purchased from a locksmith.
Sliding glass windows can
be secured in the same fashion
as the doors using a nail. Also install
wood doweling.
Pin the frames on all
double-hung windows, with a 5/16
inch bolt.
Remove operator handles
from awning windows, but keep
them nearby in case of fire, and pin the
locking mechanism.
Replace all jalousie doors
and windows if possible. If this
is not feasible, secure them by using
heavy gauge mesh or
grillwork, be sure they have a quick release feature
on the
inside for use in case of fire.
Good lighting is a
deterrent to crime. Install adequate exterior
lighting at all entrances.
In an apartment, tenants should join
together to request lighting
improvements around their
complex.
While home alone at night,
keep a light on in more than one room
to make it appear that you are not
alone. If you are away from
your dwelling at night, keep a radio and
lights on in more than
one room to make it look occupied. Install
photoelectric
sensors on outside lights that will turn the lights on at
dusk
and off at dawn.
Install shears to cover
windows. Remember to keep drapes
or blinds drawn when changing clothes
or retiring for the night.
Trim shrubbery down to two
feet or trim up three feet and then
et the bush grow so no one can be
concealed.
An ideal alarm system
includes:
1.
Central station monitoring including local alarm
(outside siren).
2.
Sensors or perimeter doors and vulnerable windows.
3.
Sensors protecting the interior.
4.
Stationary or remote “Panic Button”.
5.
Fire Sensors.
6.
Place stickers/signs advertising an alarm system is
installed.
Before purchasing an alarm, contact your local
police/sheriff
department and the Washington State Burglar and Fire
Alarm
Association, 1-800-248-9272.
Inside Your Home:
Never open the door to a stranger. Talk
through the locked
secure door.
Ask them to
show their identification,
or business license (if a
salesperson), through
viewer or near window.
Never let the caller know that you are home alone. Give the
impression that someone else is in your house. “Honey,
I’ll get the door.
In the case of service and
repair men, verify their picture I.D. by
calling their company from the
phone number you get from the
phone company. If you decide to allow them
to enter, arrange to
either have a friend or neighbor there with you or
monitoring you
with periodic phone calls. Make these precautions
obvious.
Be careful about allowing
children to answer the door. Begin
reinforcing good security habits at
an early age.
Be wary of neighbors or
casual acquaintances who make a
habit of “dropping in” when no one
else is home.
Plan your fastest escape
routes out of your house or apartment
or any other building, don’t
hesitate to throw something through
the windows.
Don’t leave underwear or
bathing suits out on the line, balcony or
clothes rack at night. This
could attract a rapist or “peeping Tom”.
When you see or hear
anything suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Contact the police or
sheriff’s crime prevention department in your
area to obtain a free
home security survey.
Maintain an active
neighborhood Block Watch Program in your
neighborhood
Phone
Tactics:
Keep emergency
phone numbers next to your phone, including your
name and address on
your phone
Don’t list your
address or initials in the phone back. It is best to
have an unlisted
phone number, if not an option, list a male
name close
to yours.
Ask the phone
company about a phone number block, caller I.D.,
and any other services
that will help.
Install an
answering machine with a male voice, if possible. Record
“At the beep,
leave a message.”
Don’t give
information for surveys, contests or any solicitation. Ask
them for
their name, phone number, business, supervisor, and
business license
number.
If a caller asks
who you are? Ask them who they are calling,
and what number. Never give
them your name or phone number.
If you receive an
obscene phone call don’t show any emotion, say
nothing and hang up
immediately.
Record the time,
date and what was exactly stated in
the obscene
phone call. Also record continuous hang up calls.
When the calls
continue, call 9-1-1 and report it to your local
police/sheriffs
department giving them your “record log”.
If a stranger
asks to use your telephone even for a dire
emergency, do not open your
door and let the person in.
Inform them you have already called the
police and for them
to wit out by the street. Then go and make the call
for them.
Install an
extension phone in your bedroom. Best to purchase a
remote cellular phone that you can keep in your bedroom, car,
or carry with
you at all times. Many 9-1-1 systems know the
Name, #, and address of
the caller immediately. You can get help
without talking
if someone is in the house.
Security Away
from Home:
Walking and Jogging
Communicate the
message that you confident and know where
you’re going. Walk with
purpose, projecting an assertive and
business like attitude. Wherever you
are, carry yourself as if you
know where you are going, and you are in
charge of the space
around you . Another alternative is to look angry
– no one wants
to deal with a
mean person.
Make quick eye
contact with strangers. This is a very powerful
way of saying I’m in
control of myself and my environment. I
belong here, I see you and I am
not afraid.
Notice cars that
pull up along-side of you or pass by more than
once. If you are being
harassed by someone in a vehicle, turn and
walk in the opposite
direction. Try to head for lights and people.
To continue the
harassment, the vehicle driver will have to turn
around to follow you.
Always write down the license number.
Don’t
hitchhike, or accept a ride from a stranger, or someone you
just met. It
is more than risky. It is dangerous. Some rapists use
their cars as
a way to get women alone. Once you are in the car,
you’ve lost
control of the situation.
Keep a wallet in
an inside pocket, separate cash and credit cards.
If possible leave your
purse at home and only take identification
and checkbook to the store.
Shopping:
Never leave your
purse unattended or tied to the shopping
cart-not even for a minute. If
you must, put the purse on the
bottom of the shopping cart and put the
groceries on top,
since you do not need your purse until after your
groceries
have been rung up.
Never leave your
purse on a store counter or set it on the floor
of a restroom or public
place.
If you lose your
purse, report it to the store manager and police immediately.
While paying only
remove the amount of money needed. Don’t
flash a lot of money. Better
still, pay by check and keep one hand
over your address on the check
Buses, Bus Stops, and Subways:
Check the
schedules for the routes you ride and plan ahead to
minimize the time
spent waiting at the bus stop.
Use well lighted
and busy stops.
Stand where
you’re visible.
While waiting for
a bus, notice how you stand and try to be
balanced with feet apart and
hands out of your pockets.
Walk to the next
stop if you feel threatened.
Go to a nearby
business.
When getting
directions, try to find a transit employee or police
officer. Never go
with a stranger who has given directions.
Try and sit as
close to the bus driver as possible and sit in the aisle
seat.
Keep your
possessions in your lap or under your hand.
Don’t go
through your purse, have money/pass
ready.
Don’t sleep on
the bus or flash valuables by cleaning out your
purse and pockets or
balancing your checkbook.
Pay attention to
your surroundings. If you feel bothered
or threatened, tell the driver.
Don’t tempt the fates.
Don’t ignore
behavior that is threatening to you or others,
report it and get away
from it.
If you are
verbally harassed, say loudly and firmly “Leave
me alone.” Attract
help by talking loudly or screaming.
Don’t get off
at a lonely stop if you feel threatened.
Watch who gets
off the bus or subway with you. If you
feel uneasy walk directly to a
place with people.
Elevators
Get on the
elevator with a group of people.
Stand away from
the door while waiting alone.
Lock in the
elevator to be sure no one is hiding.
Avoid entering an
elevator with one stranger.
Familiarize
yourself with the controls and stand near the
controls.
Get off. If
someone suspicious enters. If you’re worried
about someone who is
waiting for the elevator with you,
pretend you forgot something and
don’t get on. If you
are
attacked, hit the alarm and as many floor buttons as
possible.
Driving or Parking
While driving,
keep the doors locked. If ventilation
is
desired, roll down all your windows only one inch. Do
not
completely roll down your driver's windows.
Do not drive home
if you think you are being followed.
Drive to the nearest well-lighted
area where there are
people, and honk your horn in short bursts.
If you are being
harassed by the occupants of a vehicle,
do not react, get the license
number, try to move away
from them, go to the nearest public place and
give short
bursts on your horn.
Leave enough
space between you and the car in front of you to
make a fast escape.
Once again honk your horn.
If you have car
trouble on the road, raise the hood (also
have a “send police”
sign), and then wait inside the car with
the doors locked and the
windows up. If a motorist stops to
help, crack your window slightly
and ask him or her to go
and call the police.
It is best to
keep your vehicle in good running order. Always
keep your gas above 1/3
full. Keep flares, a flashlight, and
enough money for bus fare and minor
car repair in your
vehicle at all times.
Don’t pick up a
hitchhiker or hitchhikers under any circumstances.
Be cautious of
anyone loitering around your vehicle or offering to
help if there’s
something wrong with your vehicle. You could
have been sabotaged by that
person.
Don’t pull over
to side of road and stop for flashing headlights.
If it is an emergency
vehicle or police, there will be flashing red
or blue lights on the car.
If you feel uncomfortable with an
emergency unmarked vehicle, drive
slowly and cautiously
to a public place.
Instead of the
vulnerability of driving alone, consider car pooling
and not just for
work, but for leisure activities too.
Park in well
lighted and traveled areas. Take the time and drive
around until a
suitable parking spot becomes available.
Always lock your
car whether you are inside or the car is parked.
If working late,
move your car closer to your exit door after
normal business hours, or
try to have a friend or security guard accompany you to your car.
Have your keys in
your hand before you leave the house or a
building.
If you find
anything wrong with your parked car, immediately
go back to safety in a
building and get help.
Be sure to check
under your car when walking to it. Also
check the floor and back seat
before getting into it. Be leery
of large vans parked next to your
vehicle. Wait until someone
else is walking to their car near yours, or
get in on the passenger
side.
If parking in a
pay box lot or at a parking meter, have the
money ready before getting out of the car.
Don’t leave
your car registration, packages or labels with
your name, address or
phone number in view from inside
your car. Best to leave car empty of
possessions. Don’t leave
valuables in your glove box.
Be prepared to
drop packages and run
.With a child, get
in, lock the doors, and then, secure your child.
Ask someone to
escort you or to check the parking lot.
Keep ignition key
and house key separate. Give parking lot
attendant only your ignition
key. Avoid putting identification on
your key ring.
Don’t go into a parking garage alone.
Check around. Is someone else being victimized? Report It!!!
Workplace
Communicate your
sexual desires and limits clearly. If
someone starts to offend you, tell
him so, firmly and
promptly. The politeapproach
might be misunderstood
or ignored. Say “no” when you mean “no”. If the
person
persists,
contact your supervisor, and if that is to no avail,
contact
the
personnel department, or an affirmative
action
officer.
Be assertive.
Passively might be interpreted as permission.
Be direct and firm with
someone who is pressuring you sexually.
Once again, be
aware that your actions send a message. From
your dress or behavior,
some men might infer that you want to
engage in
sexual activity. While
this does not make your dress
or behavior wrong, you should be prepared
to clarify any
misunderstanding.
Pay attention to
what is happening around you. Try to avoid
situations where you might be
vulnerable. If you feel threatened,
don’t be embarrassed to ask for
help or to leave.
Report or check
unknown identities of people in unauthorized
areas.
If you observe
any suspicious persons or vehicles or loiterers,
call security or the
police. This should be during normal business
hours as well as outside
normal working hours.
Keep emergency
numbers for security, police and fire station
posted on phones as well
as business name, address and phone
number.
Never leave your
handbag in an unprotected location such
as on the desk, or out in the
open. Instead, lock your
handbag in a desk drawer, locker or file
cabinet.
Never leave money
around your desk. Instead place in an
envelope and put in a drawer
capable of being locked.
If you work over lunch hours or late after
office hours,
lock your office door. This will reduce the likelihood
of
an unwanted assault.
If you bring
personal items such as radios, coffee pots, etc., to
the office make
sure they are engraved with your name and drivers
license number for
identification. This will identify your
possessions in case of [possible
theft or misappropriation by other.
If working late,
once again move your car closer to the exit door
after normal business
hours, or try to have a friend or security
guard accompany you to your
car. Try to arrange your schedule
to work with another employee. Last
resort, let someone know
you’ll be working late and check in with them
frequently.
Be extra cautious
when using restrooms or stairwells that are in
isolated locations,
poorly lighted, or open to the public. Ask a
co-worker to go with you.
Dates and
Acquaintances
Know whom you are
dating. If you don’t know him well, stay in
public areas with other
people. An alternative would be to double
date.
If you are out
with someone you haven’t developed complete
trust in, make sure
someone you do trust knows where you are
going and how long you expect
to be gone. Make it obvious to
your date that you are being monitored.
Realize that you
do not have to accept any unwanted sexual
attention while dating. You
have the right to set your own sexual
limits and these limits may change
over time or with different
people.
Learn to
communicate clearly what you want and what your limits
are.
Be assertive. Act
immediately when something happens that
you do not like. Stand up for
your personal rights.
Trust your
feelings. If you are being pressured or made to feel
uncomfortable view
that relationship with extra caution.
Be cautious with
all relationships, but be especially cautious with
anyone who is
domineering or manipulative and attempts to
impose their will on you or
shows a lack of respect for your
feelings.
Limit the use of
alcohol and drugs. They reduce your ability
to think clearly and make
good decisions.
Be aware that it
is very risky to accept a ride home or an
invitation for a late night
shack from someone you’ve just met.
To call 9-1-1 or
zero for the operator, most pay phones do not
require money
Carry a cellular phone.
Vacationing and Out of Town Trips
Put your name,
address and phone inside your luggage or in an
enclosed I.D. tag.
Always lock your
luggage.
Never leave your
luggage unattended. Check it into a locker.
When in a strange
town call police and ask what areas to avoid
and at what times.
If driving, plan
your route carefully, travel on main roads, and
use maps. Have your car
serviced and tires checked before
leaving.
If you stop
overnight, remove bags and other valuables from
the car and take them
inside with you or put them in the trunk
before you arrive. Out of
sight, out of mind!
If you feel
uncomfortable with security at a hotel, change hotels.
Hotel and motel
management encourages guests to use the safety
deposit box services in
their vault, usually provided free of charge.
Check under the
bed and in closets when arriving in a room.
Keep the door
locked and use security latch when in the room.
Never leave
money, jewelry, traveler’s checks or credit cards
in your room, even
for a short time. The same is true for plane
tickets.
Be careful what
you say in the presence of strangers. Never
discuss plans for leaving
the hotel and don’t reveal your room
number.
Vary times of
room service requests if staying for an extended
time at a hotel.
Locate fire
exits, elevators, and the nearest phone. Plan the
best way to get out of
the building in an emergency.
Inventory your
belongings daily.
Be observant.
Report any suspicious movements in the
corridors or rooms to the
management.
Your room door is
equipped with additional locking
devices which are recommended for use
whenever you
are in your room – use them.
Never
automatically open your room door when a knock is
heard. Know your
visitor’s identity prior to admittance. Use
your peephole, if
available, and talk through the locked door.
If someone claims they are
from maintenance, phone the front
desk to make sure the caller is
legitimate.
Look ahead and anticipate potentially dangerous situations.
Have a plan.
Always be alert and aware
to your surroundings, don’t day
dream. A rapist looks for victims who
appear vulnerable. If
someone bothers you, and people are around,
don’t be
embarrassed to attract attention to yourself. Scream, yell or
whistle and get away. Consider your safety first.
Go with a friend or co-worker if possible. There’s safety in
numbers.
Vary your route and
schedule so there is not a distinct
pattern. Be familiar with your
routes and know places
along the way where you can go for help. Take
into
account the time of day and area. Avoid isolated areas,
wooded
areas, parking lots, garages and alleyways.
Stay in well lit areas.
Stay on the part of the
sidewalk that’s farthest away from
parked cars, shrubs, dark doorways,
construction sites and
vacant lots.
Wear clothes and footwear
that give ease and freedom of
movement. If you must bike, walk, or jog
at night wear
reflective clothing.
Flashy jewelry and furs also can attract
criminal activity.
Don’t wear radio headphones.
Don’t overload yourself
with packages.
Trust your instincts if
you feel uncomfortable in a place or
situation. Leave quickly.
Take command. If someone
comes into your body space, ask
them to move back. If they persist –
cough in their face.
If you think someone is
following you, abruptly switch directions
and walk towards an open store
or lighted house. Two elderly
ladies for example went one step further
when they thought they
were being followed on a busy street and turned
together and
started pointing and yelling “are you following us”?,
he ran
across the street.
If you think you are
being followed, Do Not go
home. Head
immediately for the nearest lighted area where there are
people.
Don’t stop to give
directions to a driver or pedestrian. However,
if you feel you must,
maintain a safe distance from the stranger to
avoid abduction.
Try to walk facing
traffic.
Do not put your purse
straps around your body or arms.
Carry the purse like a football, close
to your body.
|
