Womens Survival and Self Defence Situations to Prepare for

1
Womens Survival and Self Defence Situations to
Prepare for
2
Being Followed by Foot

• Confirm whether being followed by changing route
  or crossing over
• Move towards a public space where there are lot
  of people
• Ring the doorbell of the nearest house and
  explain the situation
• DO NOT guide the follower to your residence
  unless someone is present at home to handle the
  situation
• If in public space, confidently confront the
  aggressor, question his intention, hurt him and
  then use the sorry mantra

3
Being Followed by a Car

• Earlier principles can be used
• Walk on the side where traffic is moving towards
  you making it impossible for the follower to pull
  over
• When approached for directions maintain a safe
  distance from the vehicle in case the driver or
  passengers have a malicious intent
• If the vehicle obstructs, scream for help

4
Being Followed by a Car You Are Driving

• If u feel you are being chased, take frequent
  turns and stop at a public space to confirm your
  suspicions
• If the follower persists drive to nearest
  hospital/hotel/public place, inform your safety
  buddy or the doorman about the character
• Do not go home until you are sure that your
  stalker is off your tail
• Look for the nearest police van or dial 100/1091
  to report the vehicle
• Always fill your fuel tank half way before it
  reaches empty

5
Bag Snatching

• When someone tries to snatch your bag or any
  other belongings, the wise thing is to let go as
  your life is more precious
• Keep the bag close to you. Choose shoulder bags
  and sling it across your body
• Safeguard important things like house keys,
  mobile phone etc and keep them in a pocket
• Keep only the fundamentals in the bag for minimum
  loss
• DO NOT CARRY YOUR LIFE SAVINGS in the form of an
  ATM card
• Have a separate debit card for shopping with
  around rs10000 balance
• Note your card numbers on your phone and at home

6
Coping With Common Eve- Teasers

• Try enlisting the support of some good Samaritans
• Move away
• If in a congested area, injure the man but always
  use the sorry mantra immediately

7
Dealing With Obscene Phone Calls

• Do not respond to such calls, emails or SMSs. It
  only instigates more harassment
• Keep disconnecting the calls
• If disconnecting fails, call out to a man (real
  or imaginary) hey papa look who is on the line,
  can you please talk to him
• Blow a whistle loud into the mouthpiece
• Get caller id. Avoid taking calls from the same
  number. If the calls persists report it to the
  police

8
Coping With Car Breakdowns

• Inform family or friends about your route
• If your car breakdowns the immediately call upon
  someone who is in the vicinity and can help you
• Call your family and let them know your exact
  location. Then call your mechanic
• Sit in the car with locked doors and windows
  rolled up until help arrives
• Do not accept help from a stranger. If someone
  tries to force his way into the car, call the
  police and blow your horn to attract attention

9
Dealing With Road Rage

• If a person is trying to race you let him win the
  race
• Be prepared for rash rude drivers
• Be tolerant and patient while dealing with
  people. If stuck in a traffic jam, keep cool and
  do not make gestures that warrant a reaction
• Dont hesitate in saying sorry when alone. Keep
  your ego at bay. Being the first to say sorry can
  avoid unpleasant confrontations
• If confrontation occurs, change route for a few
  days so that troublemakers dont know your
  everyday route

10

• Never draw unnecessary attention towards your
  vehicle
• Ignore any driver who acts aggressively as any
  form response will only encourage him
• Dont respond by driving fast or rash. The other
  driver may think you are looking for a
  confrontation and you could also lose control of
  your car
• If the person overtakes and blocks your way, stay
  in the car till the driver walks towards your
  car, then reverse quickly and drive away
• Try calling for help otherwise blow the horn or
  use your vehicles flashlights to get help

11
Living Alone

• Women living alone are always seen as soft
  targets for potential assaulters
• Do not advertise the fact that you live alone
• Be very diligent about your outdoor lighting. A
  bright light should be wired to a timer switch so
  that it turns on at the same time every evening
• If you have multiple entries, make sure they are
  always locked and use the door nearest to the
  busiest spot
• Make sure that front doors and windows are made
  strong and of good quality

12

• Have deadbolts installed on the main doors and
  make sure they always open inwards
• Avoid entertaining visitors whom you dont know.
  Confirm the identity of the person and for this
  purpose install a peep-hole or chain lock on
  your front door
• Install a phone by your bed to call for help
  during emergency or intrusion
• Verify and register your domestic help with the
  local police
• Many domestic appliances can be used as weapons.
  Be aware of them
• Get to know your neighbours and neighborhood
• Install a alarm system and make sure you know how
  to use it

13
Practicing Safe Shopping

• Shop during the day. If shopping at night take a
  friend or family member
• Dress casually and comfortable. Avoid jewellery
• Bring only the amount of cash required
• Pay for purchases with cheque or credit card.
  Keep cash in the pocket
• Avoid overloading yourself with shopping bags.
  Clear visibility and freedom of movement is
  important
• Be alert and AWARE of surroundings and people

14
Travelling by Public Transport

• Know your route and expected time of travel. Try
  to avoid isolated spots in train and bus stops
• Never choose an empty carriage or bus. Try to sit
  next to a woman and close to the door
• If a rowdy elements board the bus or train, exit
  immediately at the next stop
• If someone is bothering you complain to the
  driver or conductor immediately
• Plan in advance for someone to meet you and pick
  you up at the station/stop if you are expecting
  to be late

15
Stuck in an Elevator

• If you feel uneasy about boarding the elevator
  with someone, dont get in. Wait for the next
  elevator or use the stairs
• If you get stuck in an elevator with a man or a
  group of men, face them with your back to the
  control panel, avoid eye contact and locate the
  alarm
• If you are assaulted, press every button. If the
  assailant has a hold on your arms throw weight
  against the control panel and flee at the first
  opportunity
• Scream and yell. Show the assailant that you are
  not afraid to hurt him and then inflict pain
• Remember to attack the STRINGS

16
At Workplace

• Colleagues should inform each other about clients
  who have a tendency to misbehave
• Notify a colleague about the meeting and leave a
  written note with clients name and location. If
  self employed leave these details with a friend
  or neighbour
• If you arrive at a meeting and feel anxious or
  insecure, call your office and leave a contact
  number. Be prepared to leave the meeting if you
  feel really nervous-think of an excuse in advance
• Make sure someone is always aware of your
  whereabouts

17
At Car Parks- During Parking

• Try and imagine what the parking spot would look
  like and spend sometime to park in a well lit
  spot
• Reverse your car into parking spaces so that you
  can drive away swiftly
• Lock all doors and windows, remove valuables from
  sight
• Keep in mind the exact place where you have left
  your car
• Avoid using basement parking and try parking on
  the ground floor as your mobile may not have
  signal

18
At Car Parks-while Leaving

• Have easy access to keys, keep a flashlight handy
  if its dark
• If there is an attendant, inform him that you are
  going to fetch your car
• Walk briskly and confidently in the middle of the
  aisles
• Make sure your car is secure and that no one is
  in the backseat before you get in
• If you see a suspicious car parked next to you
  especially with tinted glasses, movement inside
  or loud music ask the guard to come with you.
  Its his duty to protect you
• Always be aware and vigilant about your
  surroundings

19
Rape

• Rape results in emotional devastation and usually
  is never reported due to social stigma and shame
  attached to victims
• Dont go out at night for shopping etc. If you do
  make sure you always go in a known group
• Roll up your cars when you drive and make sure
  your doors are locked
• 80 rape cases, the perpetrator is known to the
  victim, therefore be vigilant about any abnormal
  behaviour
• Always carry a mobile phone to make sure your in
  touch with the right people

20
Date Rape Drugs

• Use of date rape drugs has become common in
  India. They render the victim physically helpless
  and induce memory lapse. The drugs are usually
  colourless and odourless
• There are 3 types of date rape drugs
• GHB(gamma Hydroxybutyric acid) used for
  narcolepsy
• Rophypnol(Flunitrazepam) used by insomniacs and
  during anaesthesia
• Ketamine(Ketamine hydrochloride) used by
  veterinarians

21
Date Rape Drugs

• All traces of the drug leave the body within 72
  hours of ingestion. GHB causes behavioural
  changes like increased aggression,impaired
  judgement and severe neurological effects,
  Rohypnol leads to loss of muscle control,
  drunkenness and confusion. Ketamine produces a
  state characterized by profound analgesia(super
  relaxed state of muscles) and amnesia
• The assailant need not be a stranger who assaults
  people in a dark alley, it could be someone you
  met recently or a friend

22

• If your drink has been moved from its place or
  looks different, dont drink it
• If you feel unwell inform a close friend,
  bartender or security staff
• Keep your ears and eyes open. If your hear
  someone talk about date rape drugs or a friend
  seems too intoxicated leave the party immediately
• Dont accept drinks from a stranger
• Dont share your drink with anyone
• Refrain from drinking from a punch bowl
• Dont drink anything that tastes or smells
  unusual
• Avoid drinking at raves or large parties where
  you dont know many people

23
What Is Work Place Harassment?

• Verbal harassment or unnecessary touching,
  patting or pinching
• Subtle pressure for sexual favours
• Suggestive remarks over the phone. Whistling or
  cat calls
• Inappropriate comments about the way you dress,
  your body or questions about your sexual
  activities
• Viewing or reading pornographic material in your
  presence

24
Steps for Stopping Harassment

• Take a few close female colleagues into
  confidence and gather information on whether the
  man habitually bothers women, has been
  reprimanded about it in the past
• The mere fact of sharing will restore your
  confidence
• Speak to the man troubling at an appropriate time
  making sure your not alone. Ask him to stop
  behaving in such a manner and tell him it offends
  you
• Make sure you report the situation to the HR
  department and also the top management

25
Safety Tips

• Various routes should be taken- learn and take
  various routes so as to avoid being followed
• Traffic rules- be thorough with traffic rules and
  aware of one ways and dead end streets. Get used
  to recognizing road signs
• Mode of public transport- know all the modes of
  transport in the city where you live. This will
  give you confidence and reduce the need to speak
  to strangers
• Appoint a safety buddy-a safety buddy should be
  somebody who would take your call irrespective of
  his/her situation or location preferably a close
  friend or family member. He should know about
  your daily plan, routes and movements

26
Self Defence Tools

• Belt
• Sprays like deodorant, small sprat bottles or
  can. Focus on his eyes
• Pens, pencils, knives, forks, knitting needles,
  safety pins
• Stones, sand, coins

27
Police and the Law

• FIR (first information report) it is the first
  round of information given to the police officer
  in charge of a station. The information can be
  given orally or in writing
• A police officer on receiving such information
  should immediately have the written statement
  signed, investigate the matter and take action
  against the offender
• The police is not to be paid any fee or money for
  registering the FIR and if anybody in the police
  station makes such a demand at any stage of the
  investigation, a complaint should immediately be
  made to the senior police officers

28
How to Deal With Non Co-operative Police Officer

• File a complaint with the senior officer
  (DCP/SP/CP)
• Serious departmental actions will be taken
  against the erring police officer

29
Contact for Crimes Against Women

• Police stations
• Crime against women investigation cell the
  police department has created crime against
  women cell to help women in distress
• NGOs-many organisations help in obtaining
  justice. These organisations also help in
  reaching the right department and are very
  supportive