Helping Women Stay Safe

We all have an obligation and responsibility to intervene when someone is in danger or trouble. Put yourself in the position of the victim. Wouldn't you want to be helped? I know I would. You could have been put in place in that certain moment to make a difference and to possibly save the life of another human being. Step up to the plate. Be courageous. Have love for your fellow man/woman/child/animal.

What kind of a society do you want to live in? The criminal element expresses itself from time to time. When you choose to step up and engage in protecting those around you and discourage the criminal elements in society, you are investing your time and energy in building a life encouraging society for yourself and all your loved ones. We cannot accompany all our dear relatives and friends as they go about their daily tasks, but we can protect other wayfarers in the hope that others will step in to help us and our loved ones when confusion occurs. Whether we believe it or not, we do shape the society that we live in, can we really live with ourselves when we ignore each others pain?

All people should have the will and desire to help others, even those who are bystanders to a crime. People should want to help their fellow man and try to do the best by them in hopes that one day if they need help someone will be willing to step up and help them as well.

Here are things you can do to “stay safe(r).”

1. Walk with our keys grasped between our fingers in case we need to use them as a weapon.
2. Making sure to have the correct key out and ready before we get to our door
3. When someone is walking closely behind us on the street, we stop to pretend to make a phone call or otherwise occupy ourselves to allow them to pass in front of us.
4. Walk past our destination, particularly if it’s our home, if someone has been trailing us for a while.
5. Scope out potential safe havens if someone appears to be following us.
6. Stay in well-lit areas at night even if it means taking a longer route.
7. Switch up our running routes to avoid potential stalkers learning our route.
8. Change direction if a car appears to be following us while we’re walking on foot.
9.Run outdoors with only one earbud in to keep the other on our surroundings.
10. Pretend to listen to music while walking by men who attempt to engage with us.
11. Change the locks when house keys are misplaced.
12.Take alternative routes to avoid areas we know we are likely to face street harassment.
13. Cross the street when we see men who look like they might be drunk.
14. Late at night, cross to the other side of the street when anyone is walking towards us.
15. Avoid eye contact with men trying to get our attention.
16. Decide the cost of a taxi is worth it.
17. Avoid entering stairwells or elevators occupied by only one other person who is a stranger.
18. Text a friend before going out for a run or on a date with a stranger.
19. Avoid social situations if a man whose prior advance made us uncomfortable might be there.
20. Decide not to open Facebook messages from unknown men, who could see the message has been “Read” and become hostile and harassing.
21. Never open the door for someone we’re not expecting and stay still until the doorbell stops ringing.
22. When bringing heavy bags and packages into the house or apartment, locking and unlocking the door with every trip.
23. Avoid sleeping naked in case of an intruder or on-looker.
24. Buy pepper spray: for the purse, for the car, one for the home.
25. Make sure we’re not the only woman on the subway car or bus.
26. Avoid getting off at our bus or train stop if a man who has been staring exits at the same time.
27. Check our mirrors frequently while driving, noting characteristics and license plate numbers of cars trailing close behind.
28. Driving in a circle if we sense we might be followed.
29. Park next to a light post when it’s dark outside.
30. Wear a hoodie when driving late at night to appear male to other drivers.
31. Check for an official city medallion number when entering a taxi.
32. Never leave a drink unattended at a party.
33. Run outside in baggy clothes, even if it’s hot, to decrease the chances of unsolicited commentary on our anatomy.
34.Making sure we have enough cell phone battery life before leaving one location to last until we get to another.