The CPF in the Moot recently warned women in the area about drinking responsibly, saying they “might be getting themselves into serious trouble”.
“These young women consume far too much alcohol and, by doing so, place themselves in danger of either getting abducted by strangers or even falling prey to sexual abuse or rape,” said chairperson Elsabe van Staden.
Van Staden said the CPF assisted a few such cases this past weekend.
“I also had first-hand experience of several such incidents,” she said.
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“I had to take one woman home as she was heavily intoxicated and passed out in her car.
“The car door was unlocked and wide-open, her wallet and cell phone were in the vehicle while she was lying, unconscious in the parking area of a restaurant.”
Van Staden said a second woman claimed that she accepted a lift home from strangers and woke up in a field the following morning.
“She claimed she was raped,” she said.
“What more must we do to make these girls, who have no limits when it comes to consuming alcohol and go out binge drinking regularly, to realise how dangerous it is to be so irresponsible,” she said.
She said there were safer ways to get home safely.
“Should you be drinking, make use of the various public transport services available,” she said.
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“You can even ask one of your CPF patrollers to take you home before you are completely under the influence and you do not know where or who you are.”
Van Staden provided some safety tips for safer night out:
– Make sure you go out in groups and make sure the group appoints a designated driver for the evening.
– Never accept a ride home from a stranger.
– Make sure that you have airtime and that your mobile phone is charged.
– Never accept drinks from strangers.
– Never leave your drink unattended.
– Do not allow anyone to open a drink for you, it is so easy to switch glasses or even cans.
– Make sure you never go to the bathroom on your own, take a responsible friend with you.
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– Do not accept any substances from anyone and don’t allow anyone to force you to do anything you are not comfortable with.
– Save reliable and responsible peoples’ telephone numbers under ‘emergency numbers’.
– Never drive under the influence.
– Take care of your valuables and always make sure that friends or family members know where you are.
“You don’t have to be under the influence to have a good time – always drink responsibly and know your limits,” she said.
“When you don’t remember what you did when you were out you are in serious trouble. I urge both men and women to behave responsibly.”
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