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| Violence & Domestic Abuse - General Safety Tips |
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Special Tips Regarding Prevention
- Keep your doors locked. It just takes a second for the would-be burglar to slip through an open door.
- Vary your schedule.
- Keep your shades or blinds drawn at night. Never disrobe in front of a window.
- Call for help whenever danger threatens. In the event of a false alarm it is better to err on the side of safety.
- When screaming, yell “Fire!” rather than “Help!” People are more likely to listen when they hear “Fire!”
Prevention at Home
- Install adequate lighting on the outside of your home.
- Use the initial rather than your first name on your door, your mailbox, in the phone book, and on magazine and monthly statements you receive by mail.
- Use caution in conversations with strangers. Avoid giving your name, address, phone number, or place of employment.
- If a stranger asks to use your telephone, do not permit him/her to enter your home or apartment. Offer to summon emergency assistance by making the telephone call.
- Always check through the peep hole before opening the door. If you don't have a peephole in your door consider having one installed. Open your door as far as the security chain permits when talking to a stranger.
- Always check a person's identification if he states he was sent to your home by his business or company. Phone the person's company or business to see if he was sent to your home. Be aware that the person could have an accomplice who might answer your phone call. He might say that the person was sent to your home by the business or company. Use your phone book to look-up the number.
- If you receive wrong number calls, never reveal your name or address or admit you are alone. Do not give your phone number to an unknown caller, but ask what number he is calling. Do not prolong the conversation. Hang up. Notify the police of obscene calls.
- Police officers will display credentials whenever asked. Request salesmen and repairmen to show proper identification before admitting them.
Prevention on the Telephone
- When using the telephone, do not let the caller know that you are home alone.
- Keep a list of emergency numbers by the phone.
If calling the police for emergency assistance, give your exact address first. State the problem and give as much other information as you have time to give.
Prevention Outside and on the Street
- Don't be careless with your purse. Carry it close to your body with the latch side facing in.
- Never leave your purse in a shopping cart and than walk away from the cart searching for something that might be some distance from your cart. Keep your purse closed and in sight at all time.
- Have your change or token ready before you get to the bus stop. There are purse snatchers who operate best in the crowed conditions around bus stops.
- Try to get to the bus stop shortly before the bus arrives.
- Walk in the middle of the sidewalk rather than too close to the curb where a would-be assailant could be waiting in a car or too close to buildings where a would-be attacker could be lurking in a doorway.
- When approached by a suspicious person, cross the street or change directions.
If someone demands that you hand over your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO THEM. Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
- Avoid walking through alleys and deserted parks, especially at night.
- If you are being followed, a mail box makes a good emergency safety deposit box. Your purse can be recovered from postal authorities at a later time.
- Avoid going out alone at night. There really is, "SAFETY IN NUMBERS."
- If you must carry large sums of money in public keep it out of sight. If you must carry bank bags to the bank containing large sums of money, put the bags in grocery bags or some other kind of bag. Never carry the bags where the public can see them.
Do not leave beverages unattended. Someone could put something in your beverage that could cause you bodily harm.
Prevention in your Car
- Have your keys ready before you get to your car.
- Check the floor of the car, front and back, to make sure it is unoccupied before you unlock the door. Glance at the area under your car while approaching your car.
- Keep your car doors locked at all times.
- Don't leave your purse or packages on the seat next to you, keep them out of sight.
- Put your purse in the glove compartment or on the floor opposite yourself.
- Keep your windows rolled up high enough to discourage the would-be thief or attacker from attempting to reach into the car.
- If you should become lost ask a policeman or pull into a service and ask for directions.
- When using a public parking lot, give only the ignition key to the attendant. Don't leave any valuables in the car.
- It's safer to keep the convertible top up at night.
- Do not pick up hitchhikers.
- If you are being followed, try to scare away the person following you by blowing your horn to attract attention. If that doesn't discourage the person, drive to a police station, busy all night store, or service station. NEVER drive home if you think you are being followed.
- Keep your car in gear when stopped at traffic lights and stop signs. If your safety is threatened, hold down on the horn, and drive away as soon as possible.
- If your car becomes disabled, raise the hood and sit inside with the doors locked until assistance arrives. Be most cautious when dealing with a stranger who offers help. When in doubt, ask him to stop at the nearest service station and request assistance on your behalf. Roll the window down only far enough to talk to the stranger. Do not roll it down where a hand can be forced inside your car.
- When traveling alone you should not stop to aid disabled motorists. If you feel assistance is required notify the police or the nearest service station.
- When arriving at home, keep the headlights on until the garage is opened, the car is parked and the house door is unlocked. Be particularly alert when going into apartment house basement garages. If possible, have a friend or relative meet you.
- When arriving at home by taxi or private auto, ask the driver to wait until you are inside.
Prevention at Work
- Do not leave keys or valuables in your coat pocket or unattended.
- Use discretion in revealing your personal plans to other people at work.
- If you must work late, alert the building security guard if there is one. Notify a friend or family members that you are working late and when to expect you home.
- If you leave your place of work late, or in the dark, notify someone that you are leaving, have your cell phone handy, and leave with keys in hand.
- If possible, have someone escort you to your car.
Prevention on the Elevator
- Stand next to the control panel on the elevator.
- Check the hallway for suspicious persons before getting off the elevator.
- If you are suspicious about anyone when entering an elevator, wait and take another elevator.
- If you should be attacked on an elevator, press the emergency button and as many floor buttons as possible. Scream loudly.
Prevention with your Keys
- Don't put your name and address on your key ring.
- Have your keys ready before you get to your door.
- Change the locks whenever your keys are lost and when you move into a residence which has been previously occupied.
- When approached by a suspicious person, cross the street or change directions.
SAFEGUARDING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
- Remove your home address on personal checks and business cards.
- Utilize a private mail box to receive mail.
- Destroy discarded mail.
- Alert neighbors, co-workers, friends and acquaintances not to disclose your personal information to anyone for any reason.
- Do not put any information about yourself on the Internet.
- Do not participate in chat rooms – have only one-on-one conversations on the Internet. When on-line, use a gender-neutral screen name.
- Change your social security number or name.
- Get a free email account (such as Yahoo or Hotmail) to use as your everyday account. Give out your primary email account to as few people as possible.
- If you are a college student, make sure the Buckley Amendment is applied at registration so no one can access your personal information.
Sources
- Stalking: A Handbook for Victims, written by W.E.A.V.E. (Women Empowered Against Violence) in conjunction with Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC
- The American Bar Association, Commission on Domestic Violence
- www.SafetyforWomen.com
- Department of Justice, Office of Victims of Crime
- Department of Justice, Violence Against Women
- www.witnessjustice.org
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