Dealing with Street Harassment

Street harassment ranges from the minor – ogling, staring, commenting to the more serious – stalking. It can happen anywhere – in your home city or in a foreign land. Wherever you are, a few basic tips are handy in dealing with the situation and in ensuring you are calm.

Situational awareness – be aware of your surroundings. Take stock of exit routes. Note possible blockage points. Look for items that can be used as a weapon. Keep your mobile phone handy.

Presence of mind – goes a long way in helping you stay calm and get out of a tricky situation. You can use your mobile phone to call for help. Yell or scream for help. Don’t ignore your gut instincts and try not to walk on lonely dimly lit streets.

Don’t panic – as your mind freezes. Instead stay calm and be ready to fight back. Prepare your body and mind to use all avenues to get you out of the situation.

Confidence – will probably deter the harasser from taking further measures to intimidate you. Ensure your confidence is reflected in your body language and tone of voice.

(You may also check out our Safecity Safety Advisory under the Library tab.)

If any of you have first hand tips that you have used in a tricky situation, we would like to hear from you.