A GUIDE TO PERSONAL SECURITY

A GUIDE TO PERSONAL SECURITY Personal safety isn’t just for young children and women. It is for everyone. Children, teenagers, men and women can all find themselves vulnerable to a crime of violence, whether because of their own circumstances, location, age, sexuality, personal beliefs or ethnic origin. The chances of becoming a victim may be very, very low, but just one crime is one too many. Traditionally, personal safety advice has tended to consist of comments such as “don’t go with a stranger” or “don’t go down dark pathways at night”. There is a lot more to personal safety than that. In the pages of this guide you will find many suggestions to help reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime. It is intended to be thought provoking to get you to examine your lifestyle. You do not have to live in fear, wary of everyone and everything. You should simply take precautions so that you are not at risk. In this way you improve your quality of life, not restrict it.This booklet outlines possible measures that could reasonably be taken to reduce opportunities for crime. The recommendations are based on current best practice. • Any crime risk assessment should be based on crime trends and patterns. Measures to reduce crime should be reasonable, practical and costeffective. There can never be any guarantee that crime will be reduced. It is strongly recommended that other statutory requirements are considered, such as Health and Safety, Local Authority planning requirements, Fire prevention, and so on. Any reference to the law contained in the booklet is not meant to be an accurate statement of the law, but to offer guidance only. You would not be able to rely on it to provide a defence to any criminal charge or civil claim. • • • Courtesy of Greater Manchester Police Text:- Chris MacKenzie CONTENTS Although the guide is divided into sections, remember that more than one chapter may apply to you. Don’t restrict your options by reading only one section; some advice may be relevant to everyone but is not repeated in every chapter. Avoiding the Situation Fear of Crime ......................................................................................... The Victim............................................................................................. Transport ............................................................................................... Walking.................................................................................................. Be Brave ................................................................................................. Driving Alone ........................................................................................ Preparation............................................................................................. Breakdown ............................................................................................. Survival Bag ........................................................................................... Motorways.............................................................................................. In Traffic ................................................................................................ Self Defence ........................................................................................... What if... ................................................................................................ Shout!! Alarm Weapons ................................................................................................ Buying Time........................................................................................... Self Defence and the Law...................................................................... Nuisance Phone Calls ............................................................................ Less Vulnerable...................................................................................... Keep in Control ..................................................................................... Hello? Further Advice....................................................................................... Young Children...................................................................................... Teenagers............................................................................................... Public Transport .................................................................................... Phone Home .......................................................................................... If You’re Attacked ................................................................................. Wise Up! ................................................................................................ Out & About ......................................................................................... At Home & Baby Sitting ....................................................................... Doorstep Crooks .................................................................................... Bogus Workers....................................................................................... Bogus Dealers......................................................................................... Bogus Officials ....................................................................................... Look Before You Open .......................................................................... Door Viewer........................................................................................... Door Chain ............................................................................................ In Summary ......................................................................................... Racist Incidents...................................................................................... Racial Harassment ................................................................................. Report It! ............................................................................................... What Happens Next? ............................................................................ Who Else Can Help?.............................................................................. Gay & Lesbian Hate Crime ................................................................... Report It! ............................................................................................... Some Special Note About... .................................................................. Domestic Violence................................................................................. Sexual Assault........................................................................................ In Conclusion......................................................................................... Further Reading & Advice .................................................................... AVOIDING THE SITUATION Fear of Crime The actual fear of a crime can be far worse than the crime itself. If you’re not careful you can end up worrying about something that will, probably, never happen. The trick is to be aware of the problem and take sensible precautions, but without worrying too much about it. Violence on the street is fortunately still rare. The odds of being attacked could be compared to winning the pools or lottery - there’s very little chance of it happening to you. But, you still go out of your way to fill in the coupon, taking time and investing a little money. You then imagine what would happen if by a rare chance these odds did come up! You don’t let it take over your life, you just prepare. It is therefore wise to “complete the coupon” by taking sensible precautions to ensure you are safe. This is the same for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a 20 stone fellow who gets mistaken for Arnold Schwarzenegger, it still applies to you! The Victim Recent studies considered the sort of person who becomes a victim of sexual assault or robbery (theft using or threatening violence). People who had projected an air of self-confidence and walked with purpose were not chosen by the offenders questioned. Instead, they picked on people who looked timid, shy and vulnerable; in other words, an easy target. Taking simple precautions to reduce the opportunity for attack, such as wearing a shoulder bag with the flap facing you and the strap over both your arm and head rather than just the arm, could reduce the chances. If you frequent clubs and pubs, drinking out of bottles (and those opened in front of you) will reduce the opportunity of someone putting a drug in you drink. Transport Although the chances of an attack are still low in most areas, one incident is one too many. So if you find yourself trying to get home alone late at night, take precautions. It is always sensible to arrange a lift home with a friend, husband, wife, or that universally free transport service for teenagers, the family car. 1 If you have to telephone for a taxi, always try to use a firm you know. Don’t get a private hire taxi (they look like a normal car) unless you’ve booked the car first. Only hackney carriages (traditional black cabs) are insured to carry passengers who have flagged them down. Always sit in the back, preferably behind the driver. Book the cab by phone, and ask for the driver’s name, and the make and colour of car. When the cab arrives ask for the driver’s name and company and the name of the customer they have come to collect. Don’t volunteer the information first. On public transport, try to sit near the driver, avoiding an empty upper deck on buses and vacant compartments on trains. If you are pestered by a someone, complain to the driver or guard. They can get help by radio, telephone or alarm depending on the type of transport and the nature of the incident. Walking If you have no choice left but to walk alone at night, remember the advice you were given when you were young. Walk in the centre of the pavement, avoiding short cuts through dimly lit deserted areas. It is wiser to walk facing the oncoming traffic where you can be seen and avoid the surprise of a vehicle approaching from behind. It’s also very difficult for motorists to pester you if they drive alongside, they have to do it in reverse! Victims attacked or robbed while walking usually say “He (or she) came from nowhere!”. Of course the attacker didn’t suddenly materialise out of thin air, it was simply that the victims were not watching what was going on around them. Their mind was probably elsewhere and not observing people or dangerous situations. For this reason some people do not like large hoods on coats which restrict vision. Try to cover jewellery. Wearing a lot of jewellery when you go out may make you a target. If you have to carry money, carry only you need. Keep cheque and credit cards separate from cheque books. Do not leave bags unattended. Keep purses and wallets in an inside pocket. 2 Be Brave If you do suspect you’re being followed, cross the street several times if necessary. If you still think you are being followed, walk to the busiest place you can find or knock on somebody’s door. If are confident enough, consider turning and facing the suspect and shouting in your most authoritative voice “Are you following me?!” Driving Alone Preparation First things first, make sure the car is fit for the journey. It’s no good trying to go along deserted country lanes in a blizzard if you have a car that runs on a wing and a prayer. Plan your journey and use maps. If you’re going to an area you are unsure about, you don’t want to be asking strangers the way. Tell someone what time you expect to arrive at your destination. Make contact calls to keep them updated if you’re delayed. Get in the habit of checking your spare tyre to make sure it’s not flat. Breakdown Perhaps the biggest worry for people travelling alone is what to do if the car breaks down. Again, remember the motto “be prepared”. If you regularly drive your car alone, you should seriously consider joining a breakdown recovery service. A common cause of car breakdowns is running out of fuel. Always make sure you have enough for the journey. Survival Bag Get yourself a holdall type bag to keep out of sight in the boot (or in the dish of the spare wheel) and put in the sort of things you hope you’ll never need. The smaller items can be kept close to hand in the glovebox. These “survival” items include: • • • • • • • a torch; jump leads (have you ever left your lights on?); an approved fuel can (with fuel in); a personal attack alarm (with spare batteries); money or a phonecard for a phone box. (don’t forget a list of useful numbers); pen & paper; a “Help! Call the Police!” fluorescent sign(now available from car spares 3 • • • shops to put in the window); your car’s handbook(this tells you how to get the car up and running again, change a wheel and so on); over-trousers and a hat(apart from keeping the rain off, if you are a woman these could stop you receiving unwanted attention); a copy of the Highway Code. The Highway Code offers a lot of useful advice on what to do if you breakdown, especially on the motorway. Did you know that the marker posts on the hard shoulder have an arrow pointing to the nearest telephone? Do you know who answers these telephones? Did you know that you should never wait in the car if you’ve broken down on the hard shoulder? Don’t forget the useful ploy of waiting in the passenger seat for the breakdown service, giving the impression that someone else may be nearby. Motorways Motorways are very safe areas in relation to violent attacks. There are telephones every mile and many areas are covered by CCTV. In an emergency, park on the hard shoulder and get out by the passenger door. Put on the hazard lights. Tell the telephone operator if you are alone, and then return to your car. Leave the passenger door unlocked and stand on the banking or verge away from the car, out of danger from the traffic. If you’re approached or threatened, get into the car and lock the passenger door. In traffic A recent trend in inner city areas is for thieves to open the passenger door of your car while you are stuck in traffic, and steal something, such as a handbag. Use your common sense - don’t leave items on show, and lock all doors (including the boot). It’s a good idea to always stop far enough away from the car in front so that you can see the other car’s wheels. This will give you enough room to pull out quickly if you need to get away. Being followed? If you suspect you are being followed (going round a roundabout twice, or a similar ruse, will confirm this) do not be tempted to go faster and outrun your pursuer. Keep driving, sticking to well-populated main roads. 4 As soon as the situation allows, drive into a busy area where you can contact the police - a petrol station forecourt is ideal. If you do not want to get out of the car, sound the horn to attract attention. Self defence What if... It is always sensible to think about what you would do if you were physically attacked. Are you capable of fighting back or would you co-operate to avoid any further harm? Even if you are physically capable of inflicting harm in self defence, it can be extremely disturbing to know that you’ve caused serious injury to another human being. Attacks and rapes by an unknown person are still very, very rare. Although it is impossible to comment on every possible situation, will probably be better if you try and diffuse the situation, instead of meeting violence with violence. Only you can decide whether to fight back or ‘play dead’, depending on the circumstances in which you may find yourself. What’s the best thing for one person in one instance could be the worst thing for someone else in another attack. If someone is trying to snatch your bag, let it go as you may get hurt holding on to it. Try to get a description of the attacker and tell the police immediately. Shout!!! If you find yourself face to face with potential attackers, let them know what they are up against. Shout and scream as loud as you can. This is also worth doing even if there is no-one else nearby, as it will probably unnerve you assailants and frighten them off. Alarm If you think that you may not have the confidence to shout or scream in this type of situation, then consider buying a personal attack alarm. Different types are available, from aerosol sirens small enough to fit in a pocket, to the battery operated type that can clip to a belt like a pager. Many people prefer the battery type, as you only have to pull a string and the alarm will keep going even if dropped and stamped on. If you have any doubts about the deterrent effect of these devices, do you think an attacker would continue to try it on with someone whilst a siren was blasting out of the victim’s pocket, pendant or belt? No, we don’t think they would either. 5 Weapons As you probably know, you are not allowed to carry a personal armoury of knives, knuckle-dusters or other weapons to defend yourself. However, a person being attacked has every right to defend themselves with reasonable force and with any means at their disposal. That includes keys, rings and hairspray, to name only a few. Having your car or house keys ready in your hand not only stops you being vulnerable while searching in a handbag or pocket, but could even be used to stop an attacker. Buying time The important point to stress if you do fight back, is to take the opportunity to escape while your attacker is nursing injuries and regretting ever starting the whole thing. You have gained some time to run away. Self Defence and the law The most important point to remember in the use of self-defence is to ask if what you are doing is reasonable. Under the Criminal Law Act 1967, you may use reasonable force depending on the circumstances, to prevent crime or arrest an offender. If you are attacked you may defend yourself, but you may only do what is reasonably necessary. You are entitled to defend your family, servant, master, and even a stranger and his property, but where a person is merely trespassing without using force, he or she must be asked to leave before force is used, and no more force than is necessary may be used. In the case of self-defence, you should also be able to show that you did not want to fight. In most circumstances you must show that you were prepared to withdraw from the situation. Nuisance phone calls Less vulnerable You can reduce the chances of receiving a nuisance call by taking a few obvious precautions. If you’re a single female don’t put “Miss” in the phone book. Alternatively go ex-directory. Anyone can receive a malicious call as the offenders may dial any telephone number at random. If you got a nuisance phone call, would you know what to do? Would your children know what to do if they answered the phone? Would your 6 reaction deter callers or encourage them? Read on! Keep in control The most important thing is to be prepared. Never react , argue or get involved in a conversation (usually bluntly telling the caller the error of his or her way!). Most offenders make the call to get a reaction of some sort, so don’t give them satisfaction. It’s your phone in your house so you are in control - not them. As soon as you realise that this isn’t a normal call, simply put the handset down near to the phone and walk away. After about ten minutes, simply return to the phone and without listening, replace the handset. This is highly infuriating to the caller and you probably won’t be bothered again! Don’t try to blow a whistle down the phone - it doesn’t work and you’ll only give the caller the satisfaction of knowing that they’ve got a reaction. If the caller doesn’t give up that easily and immediately rings back, don’t say anything when you pick it up. A genuine caller would always say something first. If it is the caller again, repeat the steps of letting them run up a phone bill! Callers will get fed up with it before you! Hello? One other thing worth mentioning on this subject, is how you answer the phone. The Nuisance Calls Bureau of BT recommend that you never give your name and number when you answer a call. Simply say “hello”. If it’s a wrong number, never give the caller your name or telephone number. Ask the caller what number they want and then confirm if they have a wrong number. If you’ve got children who answer the phone, make sure they know never to tell the caller their details. You wouldn’t let a stranger in the street have a conversation with them, so why let them have a conversation with a stranger on the phone? Further advice If you want further advice, ring the free BT advice line on 0800 666 700 for a recorded message which runs 24 hours a day. If the calls are more serious, you can get advice from the Nuisance Call Bureau during office hours, on 0800 661 441 7 Nuisance calls are becoming rarer, as BT can instantly trace more than 80% of calls. Making a malicious or obscene call is a criminal offence, so don’t suffer in silence. Young children A playground bully, an adult stranger, even a familiar grown-up, can represent a threat to a child - physically or sexually. You can help to increase the safety of your child and minimise the chance of anything happening. Many children are now being taught how to stay safe, often through special lessons at school. KIDSCAPE, a private organisation active in protecting children, has produced a set of guidelines to help parents protect their children. With the kind permission of KIDSCAPE it is reproduced here:1 To be safe Teach children that everyone has rights, such as the right to breathe, which shouldn’t be taken away. No one should take away their right to be safe. 2 To protect their own bodies Children need to know that their body belongs to them, particularly the private parts covered by their swimsuits. 3 To say no Tell children it’s all right to say no to anyone if that person tries to harm them. Most children are taught to listen to and obey adults and older people without question. 4 To get help against bullies Bullies usually pick on younger children. Tell children to enlist the help of friends or say no without fighting - and to tell an adult. Bullies are cowards and a firm loud NO from a group of children with the threat of adult intervention often puts them off. In cases of real physical danger, children often have no choice but to surrender to the bully’s demands. Sometimes children will fight and get hurt to protect a possession because of the fear of what will happen when they get home without it “My Mum will kill me for letting the bullies take my bike. It cost a lot of money.” 8 Tell them that keeping themselves safe is more important than property1. 5 To tell Assure your children that no matter what happens you will not be angry with them and that you want them to tell you of any incident. Children can be very protective of parents or guardians and might not tell about a frightening occurrence because they are worried about your feelings. 6 To be believed When children are told to go to an adult for help, they need to know that they will be believed and supported. Although sometimes an immediate reaction is to say “I told you so!”, this will not help the child to resolve the problem. It could also prevent the child from seeking help another time. This is especially true in the case of sexual assault, as children very rarely lie about it. If the child is not believed when he or she tells, the abuse may continue for years and result in suffering and guilt for the child. 7 To not keep secrets Teach children that some secrets should NEVER be kept, no matter if they promised not to tell. Child molesters known to the child often say that a kiss or touch is “our secret”. This can confuse the child who has been taught always to keep secrets. 8 To refuse touches Explain to children that they can say yes or no to touches or kisses from anyone, but that no one should ask them to keep touching a secret. Children sometimes do not want to be hugged or kissed, but that should be a matter of choice , not fear. They should not be forced to hug or kiss anyone. 9 To not talk to strangers It is NEVER a good idea to talk to a stranger. Since most well-meaning adults or teenagers do not approach children who are by themselves (unless the child is obviously lost or in distress), teach children to ignore any such approach. Children do not have to be rude, they can pretend not to hear and quickly walk or run away. Tell children you will never be angry with them for refusing to talk to strangers and that you want to know if a stranger ever talks to them. 10 To break rules Tell your children that they have your permission to break all rules to protect themselves, and tell them you will always support them if they must break a rule to stay safe. For example, it is all right to run away, to yell and create a fuss, even to lie or kick to get away from danger. Regrettably, what is common sense to parents isn’t always common sense to a child. If you think this advice isn’t relevant to your children, just test them on each above point. 9 We hope you’re not surprised. Teenagers It isn’t weak to avoid situations and run away. Even martial arts experts try to avoid bad situations rather than resorting to fighting their way out of them. No matter who you are, there will always be someone bigger, harder or meaner. As you get older you will be given more independence and freedom to visit places you wouldn’t normally have gone to on your own. The trouble is you don’t become “street wise” overnight - most people have to learn the hard way. The easy way is to read the other sections of this guide. However, there are some particular points relevant to you. Public transport Always wait for a bus or train in a well lit place, near other people if possible. Have your pass or the correct change in your hand, so that your wallet or purse is out of sight. On buses or trains, always try to sit near the driver. Carry extra money in case you get stranded and need to take another bus, train or taxi. If you feel threatened, try to get away from the situation, either by moving seats or by getting off at the next stop. If the danger worsens, make as much noise as possible to attract the driver’s attention or sound the emergency alarm. Nearly all train and tram stations have an emergency telephone on the platform. The police will answer and be watching you through the cameras. Phone home Ever been stuck needing to ring home but haven’t got any money? The answer is to get a BT “Phone Home” Chargecard. This wallet sized card lets you make calls from all public and private phones and the call is charged to your home phone bill. The card is pre-programmed with just one number (usually your home number) so you can call them whenever you’re out. This is the only number it will allow you to call - so you can’t ring Australia! 10 To use the Phone Home Chargecard, just dial 144, then the number on the card. You will be automatically connected to your pre-selected telephone number. If you’re attacked Much of this advice has been dealt with earlier in this booklet. But in summary, only fight if you really have to. Someone’s bound to end up getting hurt - and it’ll probably be you! Try not to panic, just think clearly about how to react. Make as much noise as possible and yell for help at the top of your voice. You are allowed to use reasonable force to defend yourself - but don’t be a hero. It’s better just to have something taken than to be beaten up as well. . . .Wise up! Keep your mind on your surroundings - it’s very difficult to be “in touch” if you’re listening to a personal stereo. Always letting someone know where you are, especially if your plans change, isn’t just for children. Adults should do it - even professionals such as police officers and members of the armed forces keep someone informed. It takes just one quick call. Always trust your instincts. If you have a “funny feeling” about someone or something, don’t ignore it - act on it! Remember, alcohol and drugs dull your reflexes - no matter how little you take. Out and about Look confident. Robbers and bullies tend to choose victims who look like an easy target. But don’t try to look as if you are “asking” for a fight. Avoid danger spots like quiet or badly lit alleyways, subways or deserted car parks. Walk down the middle of the pavement if the street is deserted. Don’t flaunt your wealth! Designer labels may look good, but are very attractive to a robber. Cover jewellery and hide your wallet or purse. If you do have to pass danger spots, think about what you’d do if you felt threatened - the best bet is to get to a public place like a garage or shop FAST! Whenever possible, walk with a friend or stay near a group of people. 11 Avoid passing stationary cars with their engines running and people sitting in them. Try to keep both hands free and don’t walk with your hands in your pockets. Avoid carrying bags in your hands - use a rucksack or bum-bag. If you are in a group of other teenagers don’t get so involved laughing and joking with them that you fail to see what’s going on around you. Keep in touch with your surroundings. At home or baby sitting If you are left alone with responsibility for a house, and possibly young children, you have to make sure you know what to do to ensure everyone is safe. Always look to see who’s at the door before opening it. Use a door chain or spy hole if there is one fitted, otherwise, look through a window. Ask for identification. If you receive a malicious telephone call, keep calm, don’t give your name, don’t get into a conversation, and don’t say you are in charge of the house. Put the phone down and tell the house owners. It is good practice to never give your phone number when answering the telephone, just simply say “hello!”. If you hear someone breaking in, do not confront the intruder. Telephone the police on 999. Doorstep crooks Some criminals won’t go to the trouble of breaking into your home if they can just knock and be invited in. People assume that these doorstep crooks only prey on elderly residents, but anybody may be a victim. All of us can help to prevent crime. You’ve probably had many genuine callers at your front door and not one trickster. But it is worth getting into the habit of taking a few extra seconds to check every caller at the door properly. Bogus callers come in many shapes and sizes. They could be children, pregnant women, and men in all types of clothing, from overalls to suits. These are just a few of the more common sorts: 12 Bogus workers Bogus repairers may use a very good and insistent sales patter to get you to employ them straight away. If you haven’t had your drains cleaned or your roof fixed for many years, then another day or two whilst you get another estimate won’t make any difference. If you need to get the building work done it makes sense to get several written quotes from trustworthy firms and then decide who is best. Bogus Dealers This sort of fraudster will try and buy your furniture for far less than its true value. The solution is easy. If you decide to sell something, you will almost certainly get more money for it by speaking to other dealers. Bogus officials This is perhaps the most common category but also the easiest to prevent. Officials from the water utilities never need to come into your home to test water pressure or repair a leak, even in an emergency. If for some reason they do need access they will always send a letter to make an appointment. The genuine meter readers from the gas and electricity utilities want you to check their identity before letting them in. Check their identity card, but if in doubt ring up and confirm that the caller is genuine. You can always telephone the police to check someone claiming to be a plain clothes police officer is genuine. Keep the telephone numbers handy, and don’t keep the caller waiting by an open door. If you have difficulty reading identity cards, ring the number given on your bill and ask to join the password scheme. Every time a meter reader calls they will give the password you have arranged. The scheme is free and could stop a thief from tricking their way into your home. Look before you open Always look to see who is at the door before you open it. 13 Door viewer If you do not have glass in your front door, fitting a spy hole door viewer will help. Alternatively, get into the habit of always looking through a window near the door to see who is calling. An outside light over your door will enable you to see a caller if it is dark. Position the light so that it would light up the caller’s face, rather than make a silhouette. Door chain If you need to open the door to make further checks, use a door chain or similar device. Only put on the door chain as you answer the door. Don’t keep it on all the time as this could delay your exit in a fire. It could also delay a neighbour who has a key, getting to you if you were ill or needed help. 14 Sum Summary: • Don’t let people in until you are satisfied you know who they are and what they want. Check their story. Keep the door locked while you use the phone to verify their story. Alternatively, ask them to come back later. If you let someone in - stay with them at all times. Never part with money, documents or other things whatever they say IF YOU ARE SUSPICIOUS - RING THE POLICE. Get more than one estimate for work. Official organisations usually write first. Have you had a letter? Check identity cards thoroughly. Don’t let callers put pressure on you to let them in. IF IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT • • • • • • • • • Raci Racist incidents “A racist incident is any incident that is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person.” Racist behaviour is against the law. Tackling racist incidents is a priority for the Essex Police. All racist attitudes and harassment are unacceptable. Racial harassment Racial harassment can include:• • • • anything which frightens, intrudes on or injures you, or someone else and involves an element of racism; violence against a person or property; racist graffiti - insulting messages scrawled on walls or printed on leaflets or posters; people pushing insulting or offensive literature or material through a letterbox. 15 Report it! Report all racist incidents to the police. Always report incidents to the police as soon as possible, telling them you think you have been a victim of a racist incident. Make a note of who you reported it to and when. Write down as much as you can remember from the attack or incident including the time, place, description of offender, words used, injuries and so on. Keep all notes and information you have collected in a safe place. Leave any evidence untouched, such as broken glass, weapons, graffiti, clothes and so on. If there are any witnesses, ask them for their names and addresses. Ask them to write down all they saw and heard. Make sure you pass these details to the police. If it helps, contact a friend or neighbour for support and reassurance. The police can provide interpreters. However, if your understanding of English is not good, try to have an English speaking friend with you when you first speak to the police. If you do not feel confident contacting the police there are ways of reporting through other agencies such as community centres, local Racial Equality Councils and local authorities. There is a list in the end section of this guide, under “further reading and advice”. What happens next ? Any investigation will be supervised by the local police commander and we will keep you informed of the progress of the enquiry. If relevant, we will work closely with other relevant agencies such as Housing and Social Services. Who else can help ? Your local Racial Equality Council; Your local council; Citizens Advice Bureau; Victim Support Scheme. If you are a council tenant your local housing officer may also be able to help. 16 Gay and lesbian hate crime “Any incident that is perceived to be homophobic by the victim or other person”. Many of the points raised under the racist incidents section are also applicable to homophobia. The following points may also be of benefit. Unfortunately, homophobia is still a reality and cruising grounds can be dangerous places. If you are attacked, get to a safe place as soon as possible. This advice is just the same as in other sections; keep money for a phone, make sure you can get home and so on. Depending on the severity of the attack, you might want to go to hospital. You don’t have to tell the staff how you sustained any injuries. Report it! You might want to report the incident to the police. Police officers will not make judgements about you or your lifestyle. If you think they have done, you can make an official complaint. If you’re not confident about reporting an attack to the police, you can phone one of the Action on Hate Crime numbers (see the “Further Reading and Advice” section at the back of this guide). These phonelines are confidential - you can report the incident anonymously if you want. Hate crime needs to be reported if further attacks are to be prevented. Recording can help the police respond to the offence and possibly use the information you give to help someone else in the future. Some special notes about ...... Domestic violence We acknowledge that domestic violence can occur in any relationship, and we have Domestic Violence Liaison Officers throughout the Force area. They are staffed by specially trained officers who can tell you what help is available and will support you whatever you decide to do. Help leaflets are available for victims of domestic violence giving important relevant information. To report incidents of Domestic Violence you should, in an emergency (where there is an immediate threat to life or property) call 999. Alternatively, you can report the matter to your local Police Station, on Colchester (01206) 762212. 17 Sexual assault If you are sexually assaulted, you may wish to report it to the police who will ensure that you are given special care and help. We will take you discreetly to a Sympathy Suite where specialist doctors and police officers will give confidential help and advice. This suite is not exclusively for rape and serious sexual assault by heterosexual males on females. It is for adults and young people of both sexes, including same sex incidents of sexual assault. Con Conclusion As with all crime, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Taking sensible precautions to improve your quality of life, not compromise it, will dramatically reduce the chances of you being attacked. Further reading Essex Police In an emergency (where there’s an immediate threat to life or property) call 999 To contact the police at all other times, including general enquires, call 01206 762212 or use a direct dial number if you’ve been given one. The number for Minicom users is 01245 452828 Property security A Guide to Home Security • A publication available free from your local police station A Guide to Business Security • • A publication available free from your local police station A Home Office publication available free from your local police station Steer Clear of Car Crime 18 Child safety KIDSCAPE • for a free guide offering further advice on protecting your children and suggestions for coping should a child be abused, send a large SAE to:KIDSCAPE, 132 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9TR. 020 7730 3300 ChildLine • ChildLine is the free national helpline for children in trouble or danger. It provides a telephone counselling service for any child with any problem 24 hours a day, every day - 0800 1111 Gay and lesbian issues There are a variety of lesbian and gay advice / counselling services. Further advice can be obtained from the following:• Colchester Gay Switchboard - 01206 869191 • Action on Hate Crime - 01268 244033 • Essex Racial Equality Council - 01702 333351 Health • • National Aids Helpline - 0800 567 123 Beacon House - 01206 761960 Nuisance Phone Calls •BT Assistance - for BT’s recorded 24 hour detailed advice message - 0800 666 700 •BT’s Nuisance Call Bureau (office hours) - 0800 661 441 Drugs ADFAM • • • a national charity for the families & friends of drug users - 020 7928 8900 National Drugs Helpline - 0800 776600 Health Development Agency - 020 7222 5300 Personal safety advice • Suzy Lamplugh Trust - 020 8876 0305 Victim Support Victim Support Schemes can give you assistance and details of your local scheme - 01255 424934 (24hr ansaphone) 19 20