Tips to helping South African women and girls stay safe and sound

Sun International has taken proactive steps to empower girls and women to feel safer, by publishing a special booklet with practical safety advice during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Authored by Sun International’s transformation manager, Ashnie Muthusamy, the Safe and Sound booklet aims to spread information and tools to enhance safety.

“It is our hope that, through awareness and community support, women can navigate their environments more confidently,” Muthusamy said of the booklet which has been distributed to female employees.

Some of the essential tips to enhance personal safety and reduce vulnerability to crime are aimed at young girls and teenagers and include:

• Do not trust strangers
Do not share your personal information, such as your parents’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Strangers may often know information about you before they approach you.

• Share your fears with your parents/guardians
Tell your parents about things that make you feel scared, uncomfortable, or sad. Your parents are there to protect you. It is better to share how you are feeling with your parents. Know the difference between a good secret and a bad secret.

A good secret is fun to keep, such as a surprise party. A bad secret feels bad to keep and makes you feel scared.
If there are people who make you feel scared, always tell your parents.

• Getting into the car
When you get into the car, try and be as quick as possible. Once you are in the car, lock the car door. This will keep you safe.

• Share the information of a trip
Always tell your parents where you are going, with whom, and when you will return. If you go missing, your parents can save time and call the people who last saw you. Do not lie about where you are going to be. In an emergency, your parents cannot protect you and find you in time.

• Home safety
If you are alone at home, do not share this information even with friends. If someone calls, say that your parents are busy and cannot come to the phone, they will call them later. Make sure that the doors and windows are locked. Do not open the door for anyone. Call 10111 if a window is broken or if the door is open when you get home.

• Fight back
It is okay to scream and fight. Do anything to get the stranger to let go. Screaming is the most important thing you can do, especially screaming “No!” “Help!” or “Danger!” to get an adult’s attention. Never get into a car with someone you do not know, even if they say they are going in the same direction.

• Avoid cellphone use in public
Cellphones can be a useful tool or a distraction. If you are focused on your cellphone, your awareness of the surrounding areas is reduced.
Research shows that using a mobile device can reduce your awareness by up to 80%.

• Question authority
Sometimes, seeing someone wearing a uniform or an official badge does not automatically make them legitimate.
Question their authority if you have any doubts. Do not go with them.

• The code/password strategy
Create a secret code or password with your parents. If you send them this code or password, it is a signal that you are in trouble and need assistance.
This allows you a way to deal with uncomfortable situations.

• Dealing with strangers
Avoid walking alone and do not talk to strangers. Watch out for strange cars or people. Walk on well-lit, busy streets, and in a group when possible.

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