- Michael Sloley
Valuables like your handbag are safer in the trunk of the car.
SUSAN CHARTER, only 19 years old, is now more prepared for the unpleasant hazards of life than most Jamaican women many years her senior. Her awareness was born out of an attack. Unlike many women who have had the same experience, she has decided to do something about it.
Walking home from work one evening, Charter was attacked and her handbag stolen. With her recovery came the determination never to be a victim again. She told Outlook, "I am more aware now when I am on the road. I am looking around me, analysing what is happening before it happens. When the incident happened, I did see the person, but I did not analyse the situation."
Lonely roads
Charter says that she no longer walks on lonely roads, but takes taxis to wherever she goes. She also no longer carries a handbag, but takes with her a folder that looks as if it has school books.
"One should never talk on the phone while walking on the road," she also advises. "Be aware."
Charter also took a self-defence course and admits that she feels more confident now, more capable of preventing a crime being committed against her on the road and elsewhere.
The young woman was counselled in attack prevention strategies by Fitsec the company which is the brainchild of Bruce Barclay and which targets fitness and security. CEO and security expert of 28 years, Barclay tells Outlook that there is an urgent need for women to realise their vulnerability to attack and to do something about it.
Barclay, a former Jamaica Defence Force officer and former chief of security for the Bank of Nova Scotia, is in the process of writing a book on the issue.
"Women are perceived to be the weaker sex. It is more and more the reality than the perception. They are targeted because they are alone, because they may drive cars which are of high value. They are also viewed as the weaker link in revenge scenarios. In reprisals. Women are competing with men in positions and are winning. They are climbing the corporate ladder and are becoming more valuable targets as well as the targets of resentment.
Reprisal violence
"A lot of corporate entities like to place women in HRD and, in their role of hiring and firing, they are prone to reprisal violence," said Barclay.
While they acquire more material wealth, they have not taken steps to secure themselves and their new lifestyle. They still live in communities which are not gated, their dress displaying a certain degree of affluence and drive expensive cars.
According to the security expert, women remain more vulnerable because most of the activities in which they engage are routine and repetitive, easily charted by would-be attackers. Women make most of the supermarket runs, more on the roads than men doing administrative type activities. They pickup and leave their children at school at the same times and are prone to using the same routes between home and work. Research has also shown that a lot of women live in areas which are not secure.
Research has also shown that women tend to be less aware of their surroundings (failing to look around at everyone in their environment) and to be too trusting. A lot of women have been raped by people they think they can trust. They also tend not to do thorough background checks on people who they employ as gardeners and helpers (day workers and yard cutters, too).
For all these reasons, the security expert says, women are more likely to be carjacked, physically attacked, raped and robbed of their personal belongings.
Precautions
There are several precautions which women can take, Barclay states, which will reduce the risk of becoming a victim. Avoid lonely roads. If you are attacked, do not shout for help, even if there are people not too far away. No one will respond in time. Instead, use a whistle or an alarm, as this persistent sound will attract a sharper response.
The following tips should be followed:
When on the street
Walk purposefully. Know where you are going and how to get there.
Don't daydream
Avoid direct eye contact with anyone who may be a threat.
Avoid displaying money, jewellery or signs of wealth in public areas.
Be very careful at nights. Stick to well lighted areas and commercial areas.
Walk with a companion or group when possible.
Don't wear clothing or shoes that restrict your movements.
Carry your purse close to your body. Keep a grip on it. Keep wallets in a zipped or buttoned pocket. Carry a whistle on your key chain.
Beware of strangers who start unsolicited conversations or who appear to be overly friendly.
If you think you are being followed, switch directions or retreat into a store or restaurant.
Ask a responsible person for advice if you are unsure of something or notice a suspicious activity.
If attacked, do not endanger yourself in an effort to protect your property it can be replaced.
Look into elevators before entering. If you become concerned do not get in.
Use rail or bus stops that are busy and well lit.
Stay alert.
If you are sleepy go to a safe place such as a police station.
Notice who gets off the bus or train with you. If you are uneasy, join a group of people.
If you are harassed, move to another location. If it persists, call for help. Scream if necessary.
Do not jog or bike alone or at night.
Vary your routes of travel/routine.
Leave your headsets at home. Stay alert.
When driving
Park in well lit areas.
Always lock your vehicle when you leave it parked.
Lock valuables in your car trunk particularly handbags, briefcases, computers and luggage.
Have your key in your hand as you approach either your vehicle or your home.
Check the back seat and floor of your vehicle before entering.
Keep your vehicle gassed up and in good running condition.
Keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed (or nearly so) at all times.
If you work late have security or a colleague escort you to your vehicle.
When at home
Choose a residence in a location that offers good security.
Know your neighbours and offer to watch each other's homes, especially during periods of absence.
Know where your family members are at all times.
Ensure that your home is properly equipped with security systems for the area in which you live.
Consider using dead bolts, exterior lighting, protective grilles, alarm systems, electronic monitoring, fencing, automatic gates, peepholes in your doors etc.
Ensure security devices do not conflict with routes of escapes in the event of fire.
Keep doors locked when your family is at home.
Don't leave keys "hidden" outside the home, leave an extra key with a trusted neighbour or colleague.
Install locks on external power switches, generators and water tanks.
Keep at least one fire extinguisher on each floor. Ensure that everyone in the family knows how to use it.
Check smoke detectors and replace batteries when necessary.
Keep flashlight in several places Do not allow strangers to use your phone. Offer to place the call for them.
Do not give information about yourself on the phone, unless you are sure who you are talking with.
Never tell anyone that you are home alone or leave a recording that you are not at home.
Establish a safe area in your home.
Keep a cellular phone in the bedroom/safe room.
Name changed as requested
For more on your safety, see the Outlook next week.
