Following the well-reported attack on CBS News
reporter Lara Logan (pictured), INSI – the International News Safety Institute – has
published a safety advisory for women:
If travelling alone, choose a
good standard hotel where security is of a higher standard than you might stay
in if travelling with male colleagues.
Try not to attract unwanted attention by striking up conversations or making eye
contact with strangers. It can sometimes be misinterpreted as flirting.
Unless you want to be the centre of attention, do not wear tight fitting or
revealing clothes
If youre alone and facing unwanted attention, have a cover story prepared I
am waiting for my husband/boyfriend/colleague to arrive. If the pestering
continues, try and join a large group of people preferably mixed sex
Dont wear expensive jewellery, but do consider wearing a cheap ring on your
wedding finger, even if youre not married.
Always remain alert.
Consider taking a male colleague with you into potentially volatile situations.
Do not wear a pony tail or necklace which can be easily grabbed.
Wear a sturdy belt.
Do not drink alcohol alone with men, particularly in the Middle East.
Keep a copy of your passport and documents with you at all times and store the
originals in a safe place.
Carry a mobile phone with local emergency numbers saved. Do not keep this in
your handbag, in case it is snatched.
Be aware of discussing details of your work with people you do not know. It may
sometimes be better to pretend to work in an alternative profession ie.
teaching.
TRAVELLING
If travelling alone, always tell someone where you are going, how you plan on
getting there and when you expect to be back. If you are meeting someone, leave
a name and number for them with someone you trust.
BY FOOT
Avoid walking alone by yourself, especially in poorly lit areas, quiet streets
and alleyways
If possible, try to walk close to groups of people. Be aware of who is around
you.
Walk confidently, with your head up, and as though you look like you know where
youre going.
Arrange to meet people in well-lit and busy areas.
Where possible avoid carrying handbags; but if it is necessary wear them across
your body.
If you suspect you are being followed, try to find a busy place: hotel, shop
etc.
TAXIS
Always use a reputable company avoid unlicensed cars.
Agree the cost before you leave if the taxi does not have a meter.
If alone, try not to sit in the front of the taxi. If you are in the back and
being troubled by the driver, you have two doors from which to exit – but
remember some cabs have automatic locking when the car is moving.
BUSES
Sit near the driver.
Sit near a group of people.
Avoid sitting upstairs.
Sit in an aisle seat.
If in trouble, sound the bell ring continuously.
TRAINS/METRO/TUBE
Avoid darkly-lit stations.
Avoid empty carriages.
Keep your belongings with you all the time.
HOTELS/ACCOMMODATION
Try to follow the advice above about choosing a good standard hotel if
travelling alone, but if this is not possible, consider the following:
Security are there security guards at the reception/front gate?
Check the security in your room do the doors/windows lock?
If there is a chain lock on the main door, use it.
Move furniture in front of doors.
If there is an adjoining door, make sure you lock it from your side.
Lock all doors and windows from the inside when youre in the room and the
outside when you leave even if it is only for a couple of minutes.
If on the ground floor, check to see if there are bars over the window. But be
certain to locate an alternative escape route in the event of fire.
Dont take hotel rooms with easily accessible windows or balconies.
PERSONAL ATTACK
Consider carrying a personal attack alarm. If using one when outside, carry it
in your hand for quick use not in your bag. But do not just rely on the alarm,
shout too.
Consider a rape whistle.
Buy a door alarm for use in hotels.
Keep a can of hairspray or deodorant with you to spray in the face of an
attacker if needed in your bag or by your bed.
If attacked, try to vomit, defecate or urinate on yourself.
Tell the attacker you are menstruating, are HIV positive or pregnant.