See also Rape/Sexual Assault

Everyone wants a safe environment for studying and living. The fear of attacks/assaults can limit choices in work, studies and leisure for women. It can also reduce mobility and create the perception of being at risk even if there is a relatively low risk of attacks. Whether or not you want to think about these things, the cold hard truth is that you must. Nowhere is it more important that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” than when it comes to your own personal safety. A little bit of awareness and making some precautionary measures part of your daily routine can save you a great deal of misery and can quite possibly even save your life!

Keeping Safe
There is no way of achieving 100% safety but there are many things that you can do to reduce your risks and improve your personal safety.

At Home
Have adequate locks on doors and windows. If you are living on the ground floor, choose a place with extra security measures on the windows.

Keep doors locked at all times. DO NOT LEND KEYS and do not leave “emergency keys” in places such as the garden or under mats.

Have keys ready when you approach your door.

Minimise visual obstructions around the home if this is possible. Bushes, shrubbery and bins can all be used as hiding places.

Know who is in your house and lock your room door. This is especially true if you are in shared accommodation.

Ask workmen for identification.

Try not to establish a routine to and from home.

Use only your first initial and your last name on the doorbell.

Keep your curtains closed at night.

FACT: It is a fact that most sexual assaults are committed in the victim’s own home and many of the assailants did not have to break in.

On Campus
Be alert and look alert. Attacks are less likely to happen if you give the appearance of self confidence and look like you know where you are going.

Stick to well-lit and populated areas that are free of visual obstructions and potential hiding places.

Find out if there is a mini bus service or escorts.

Do not hesitate to call for help (either campus security or 999) if you feel threatened.
REMEMBER: Better safe than sorry!

In Lifts
Stand near the control panel with your back to the wall. If you are threatened in any way, hit the alarm.

Public Transportation
When riding in an empty bus or at night, sit near the driver.

Try to ride in train carriages with other women present.

If waiting for a bus, do not stand behind visual obstructions or inside dark bus shelters where you are hidden from view.

Driving and Walking
Park your car in a well-lit area. Before entering the car, look inside.

When driving, never pick up strangers.

Keep your car doors locked.

If confronted or followed by a motorist while walking, turn and run in the opposite direction.

Make noise to attract attention if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.

Going Out
Avoid going out alone - especially late at night - if at all possible. There is greater safety in numbers.

Do not hesitate to ask taxi drivers for identification.

Do not leave your food or drink unattended: drug rape is becoming more common.

If there are women-only taxi services in your area, check them out. They may be useful, especially if you are going out alone.

Dating/Socialising
Remember, any “date” can turn into a rapist.

If you are going out with a man/men you don’t know well, tell a friend or flatmate of your plans and LET HIM KNOW that you’re doing this.

Arrange to meet in a public place and avoid scenarios where you may be alone (such as a ride in his car or visits to secluded areas) until you get to know someone reasonably well.

Practice caution if you are consuming alcohol or drugs as they play a significant part in sexual assaults. Make sure you are in control of yourself and not reliant on others to look after you.

Arrange your own transportation or have taxi fare so you can get out of a situation whenever you wish.

If you find yourself in a risky situation:
  stay calm and think of how to get out of the situation safely;
  say “no” firmly and assertively. Do not smile or laugh when refusing a man’s advances;
  act quickly and promptly.

Self Defense Courses
Check if your student union runs self defense courses for women. Alternatively, you can enquire with your local authority, women’s organisations or community groups if you wish to take a course.

Violence Against Women - Challenging Attitudes
You may think that women have “come a long way” and that we are all “equal”, but don’t delude yourself. You’d be surprised to know that attitudes towards women has not changed all that much. There is still lots of work to be done in changing attitudes towards violence against women.

The Zero Tolerance Trust conducted a study of young people and their attitudes toward rape and violence against women involving over 2000 young people, some of these results may surprise you.

  Nearly one in four young men thought it was acceptable to hit a woman if she has “slept with someone else”.

  One in ten men believed it was acceptable to hit a woman if she had been “disrespectful”.

  One in ten men thought it was acceptable to hit a woman if she were his wife and 8% thought it may be acceptable if she were a girlfriend.

On sexual violence:
  One in five men thought it was acceptable to force a woman to have sex if she were a wife.

  One in seven men thought it may be OK to force a woman to have sex if they’d been going out for a long time.

  One in ten men thought it was acceptable to have sex with a woman if “he’s so turned on that he can’t stop”.

On men and what they might personally do/not do:
  One in six thought they might force a woman to have sex if she were his wife.

  One in eight thought they might force a long-term girlfriend to have sex.

  Other circumstances in which men thought they might force a woman included “if nobody would find out” (9%), “if I’d spent a lot of money on her” (6%) and “if she’d slept with loads of men” (6%).