Personal Safety Lunchbox Seminar 12 May 2010

Purpose To equip you with practical strategies to maximise your safety and enhance your wellbeing.

Topics Common trends of personal violence Core concepts of personal safety Dealing with confrontation Safety strategies for different environments

Common Trends of Personal Violence Victims: Most likely victim category? Risk increases/decreases with age? Offenders: Most likely offender category? Mostly known or unknown to victim?

Common Trends: Women and Men Women: More likely to be physically or sexually assaulted by a known male. The home is the most common location. Women are often physically or sexually assaulted by a drug or alcohol affected perpetrator. Men: Most often physically assaulted by an unknown male. The most common locations are in the open and at licensed premises. The majority of physical assaults are alcohol or drug related and almost half involving more than one offender. ABS 2007: Australian Social Trends: Interpersonal Violence.

Core Concepts of Personal Safety 1.Right to safety 2.Keeping violence in perspective 3.Commitment 4.Confidence 5.Body language 6.Awareness of surroundings 7.Trusting and acting on instincts 8.Assertiveness 9.Networks 10.Personal Safety Plan

Dealing with Confrontation There are no all-purpose strategies to preserve our personal safety in all situations. Do whatever you believe will best preserve your safety. Factors to consider: your strengths environmental factors the perceived motivation/s of those who may be threatening our safety

Actions Escape Physical self defence Surrender money/property Scream Calling for assistance Negotiate Create a diversion Whatever the attacker tells you to Whatever will best preserve your safety

Three Reasons to Scream 1.Adrenaline Rush - converts fear to anger, enables defender to move faster, think quicker, strength is multiplied 2.Shock attacker - attacker is not expecting victim to turn into aggressor + self defence strikes impact more severely 3.To draw attention to the situation

Areas of Vulnerability Primary Targets: 1.Eyes 2.Throat 3.Groin Secondary Targets: –nose, kneecaps, ears, head/face

Options to Physical Self Defence Yell out to a fictitious person Verbal response - negotiate with attacker Fake medical conditions e.g. AIDS/Hepatitis Fake asthma/heart attack, epileptic fit, faint, mental illness Be revolting - throw up, defecate/urinate Act compliant and wait for an opportunity to escape Anything else that you can think of to stop the attack or create an opportunity to escape.

Situational Safety Strategies In the home In the workplace Out and about On public transport In the social scene In the car

Safety in the Home Basic security precautions Intruders Confrontations by a known person Callers to the front door or telephone Internet safety

Safety in the Workplace General strategies Working early or late Workplace harassment

Safety Out and About Carrying bags or valuables Talking to strangers ATMs Walking or jogging alone Being followed

Safety on Public Transport General safety options Harassment Buses Citytrains Taxis

Safety in the Social Scene Tips for safer drinking Spiked drinks Drugs Confrontations

Safety in the Car Maintenance and resources Parking Driving Being followed Breakdown Dealing with aggressive motorists Assisting others

Purpose Revisited To equip you with practical strategies to maximise your safety and enhance your wellbeing.

Questions??