Women: Change your names, stay indoors, and for God’s sake always carry a torch!
As you can probably tell from my previous entries, I’ve been spending a lot of time in the welfare office at my uni. But I’m sick of talking about that for the moment, so I’ve decided to talk about this leaflet I found on the wall in the Student Union. It basically sums up everything about how annoyed I am that women are made to feel guilty for being attacked if they’re not doing enough to keep themselves ‘safe’. It’s called ‘Women Aware: Useful tips to keep safe’ (published by Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust). It’s basically a big long list, divided into several sections. Now, I’m not one just to be angry for the sake of it, so the tips that I actually agree with are in bold.
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
- Avoid isolated bus stops
Right. So it’s late at night, you need to get home, yet if the bus stop happens to be empty or in a secluded area, then you should try and drag someone else along with you? Slightly impractical. I thank God every day that there are well-lit and properly posted bus stops in most areas in the city I live in, but if there isn’t one available, I’m certainly not going to fork out for a taxi because some dodgy guy may approach me…
- Sit near the driver or another woman/If pestered by someone, complain to the driver, conductor or guard.
I agree with female solidarity on the streets at night. I always try to walk along with other women if I have to walk home at night. (Unfortunately, with my height, posture and big stomping boots, most women think I’m a potential attacker walking up behind them… Hmm). But if you’ve ever tried to use a First bus driver as personal protection, I think you’ll know what I mean when I say it’s a waste of time. They’re not employed as bodyguards, most of them just want to get their shift over and done with, and they’re certainly not looking for trouble from some creepy guy even if he is harrassing their female customers. There isn’t proper security on the busses where I live, even late at night. I really don’t see how sitting near the driver will make a difference.
- Avoid empty compartments or compartments containing only one male person
Because he’s a male on his own, he’s more likely to attack you? I don’t get this. I definitely feel safer sitting with one male passenger than a whole gang of them… Besides, if it’s the last bus of the night, what are you meant to do? Drag strangers off the street onto the bus with you to be ‘safer’?
IN YOUR CAR:
- Where possible always travel on main or well used roads.
Yeah, this is a good one. I don’t drive, but when I’m walking at night I always stick to the main roads.
- If you feel unsafe always lock your car doors before driving off/Always lock your car when you leave it, for however short a time.
Don’t these two just seem like common sense…? Or are us women too hysterical and stupid to realise these things?
- Check the interior of your car before entering, especially the back seat – at night carry and use a torch.
… and don’t forget your hard hat, grapping irons and rope… Come on, who’s honestly going to remember to bring a torch with them when they go out at night? And why do you need one in your car? Checking the interior sounds like common sense… if you happen to be in a horror movie. How likely is it someone is going to be hiding inside your car?
- Park in well-lit areas
Yep.
- If followed home don’t get out of the car, make sure the doors are locked, sound the horn or flash your lights to attract attention.
Attention from who? Where are you? Is this in the middle of the day or at night? Bit confusing. Personally, I’d call someone on my mobile for help.
- If you have car trouble, stay in your car and wait for help.
Right, except sometimes you’ll be advised to get out of the car for your own safety by the mechanics, especially if you break down on the motorway.
- Don’t stop to help others – drive on and report it by phone/Never pick up hitch-hikers
After watching that episode of Six Feet Under, I have to fervently agree with these two… Except they’re not really specific to women.
WHEN IN ALONE:
- Secure all windows and doors
Yep.
- Fit and use a door chain and viewer
Door chains are a godsend. In the few extra minutes it takes for someone to kick your door in, you can be on the phone to the police.
- Women who live alone should use only their initials and surnames in name plates and telephone directories.
What?! Does this sound insane to anyone else? Do you know anyone who actually does this?? Have we suddenly returned to Victorian times? Why don’t we just issue a man free with the house for all those weird women who actually enjoy living alone? Rhetorical questions aside, I’m pretty amazed at this one. How dare anyone make a woman feel like she’s not doing the maximum to keep herself safe in her own home if she has the audacity not to hide her gender.
- Don’t let strangers into your home
Duh.
- When answering the phone don’t let strangers know you are alone
I’m a bit confused as to what strangers would be ringing up for a chat… Sometimes when the phone rings, you pick it up and no-one’s there, you can be fairly sure someone’s just ringing to check someone (anyone) is in so they know not to burgle you. But how are you supposed to show someone you’re not alone? Pretend to be talking to someone else? Have a party CD on in the background?
- Ensure you report all suspicious incidents to the police immediately
Ah. Well. The big one. The fact is this is great advice. In theory. But from the amount of stories I’ve heard from male and female friends about times when someone has either attempted to break in or made threatening phonecalls, the police just aren’t there to help. They either assume it’ll blow over or just plain tell you they’re not bothering to come round. In the case of some friends, someone was on their roof one night trying to break into an upstairs window. They rang the police and were told, ‘What do you expect, you live in ***** (dodgy area of town)’. It’s pretty unbelievable, but it’s true. Nine times out of ten, if you ring the police with a ‘suspicious incident’ they aren’t likely to take any notice.