We’ve all been there – that strange someone who follows you around in the grocery store, the facebook “friend” who gets a little too friendly, or maybe even an ex-boyfriend who won’t back off -we’ve all felt threatened by someone at some point. There are several things you can do to prevent scary situations, as well as protect yourself when they are unavoidable.
When you are being Cyberstalked…
Make sure all of your profiles are private and know who your friends and followers are. Be careful not to post identifying information such as your home address or place of work/school. Do your best to not be alone; when you go out, take a friend. Contact the police and file a report. Law enforcement cannot do anything until a threat has been made, but each time you report an occurence (text, facebook message, email, phone call, etc.) you are building a stronger case. Also, if something were to happen to you, they would have a solid lead.
When Someone is Following you…
If you know you are being followed, or you even think you are being followed, stay in public. If you are driving, do not go home, call the police and ask for directions to the nearest station and drive there. If you are walking, hurry to the nearest public place. If there is no one around, and you feel that you are being approached, make eye contact. Those who prey on women are often cowardly and, as we see in the animal kingdom, eye contact can be threatening making you a harder target.
When Someone “Gets in your Bubble”…
The number one protective measure when someone is invading your space is RUDENESS! We are taught to be friendly to those we encounter and as women we worry about being considered the dreaded “B-Word”. I am here to tell you that it is 100% acceptable to be rude when someone enters your personal space without permission. I don’t mean someone who bumps you in line, or someone who approaches you in an appropriate way. I’m talking about the person who grabs you, touches your purse, maybe your hair, makes inappropriate comments towards you. Never be afraid to speak up LOUDLY and then leave the situation as quickly as possible. No one has the right to make you feel uncomfortable.
When you are Attacked…
Worst. Case. Scenario. No one likes to think about this, but the truth is 1 in 4 women will be assaulted during their college years. If you find yourself being attacked, make noise. Look for weapons, use anything and everything around you. I carry mace on my keychain just in case! Go for your attackers eyes and/or groin, areas that will cause the most acute pain if attacked. If you have been attacked, try to stay calm and call 911. Don’t worry about cost, there is the Utah Department for Victims of Crime that will pay for all of your hospital bills and miscellaneous needs after an attack. You can also call the Rape Recovery Center and work with an advocate rather than dealing with law enforcement.
When there seems to be NO threat…
Even when we feel perfectly safe, there are things we can do to maintain that safety. When walking alone down a street, don’t be staring at your phone. Be aware of your surroundings and check your perimeters often. If a stranger stops you to ask directions, maintain a safe distance and pay attention to where they keep their hands. If you are sitting alone in your car in a parking lot, lock the doors. Small measures that may seem “paranoid” can make you a significantly harder target for a would-be attacker.