Personal Safety
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Bath is generally a very safe city. However, it is worth bearing in mind the following tips on how to stay safe and look after your possessions.
- Carry a personal alarm whenever you can, particularly when out alone. You can pick up a personal alarm from the AWARE Centre for £1.
- Try to enrol on a self-defence course.
- Don't take short cuts through dark alleys when you're alone or in a small group.
- Walk facing the traffic so no-one can pull up behind you. If a car stops and you are threatened, shout loudly and run the other way.
- If you are out late, take a taxi home. If you live on campus and you don't have enough money, Security will pay your fare if you give them your NUS card and pay them back the next day.
- On an empty bus, sit near the driver.
- Someone walking alone at night may feel particularly anxious. You can help by not walking behind them in the same direction, but instead crossing the road to walk on the other side.
- Carry your wallet or purse in an inside pocket, never in the back pocket of a pair of trousers. Never carry a lot of cash and if your cards are stolen tell the relevant companies immediately. Often you are liable for everything the thief spends up until the time you report the loss. If you carry a handbag, never let it out of your sight.
- Never leave a bicycle unlocked, and if you live on the ground floor make sure that your window is firmly closed when you leave the room. If you are in town, lock your bike up, even if you are only going to be away for a few seconds.
- It is essential to have your property insured, especially expensive items. You may find that your property is covered under your parents' insurance if you live on campus - check before you take out your own policy. Never leave your door unlocked, and if your house has a lockable front door, make sure it's locked, especially at night.
CONTACTS
Bath Police (ask for your Community Beat Officer) Tel: 01225 444 343
Victim Support Tel: 01225 444 212
University Security Tel: 386826 ext. 5349 or in an emergency, dial 666
Personal Attack
Some facts about personal attack:
- The majority of rapes are planned.
- Half the rapes that occur do so in the victim's home, the rapist's home, or in a place the victim considers to be safe.
- Most people know their attackers, often having met them in a social context.
- 'Sexual assault' can be as indecent and as distressing as rape.
- Men get raped too.
Personal attack often has short-term effects such as flashbacks, nightmares, changes in sexual behaviour, being scared to go out and broken relationships.Survivors of personal attack/abuse often experience feelings of self-hatred, worthlessness, guilt, shame, grief, anger, anxiety, fear, distrust or isolation. They may be subject to some, none or all of these emotions and they may lead to drug/alcohol abuse, eating disorders, phobias, self-harm or suicidal tendencies.If you experience any of these, you are not abnormal - you are an individual and we all react differently.
Things to consider if you have been attacked/abused:
- Pregnancy.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections - you can be tested for these by a doctor in confidence. Doctors are not allowed to tell the Police what has happened to you.
- Who do you tell? Often people don't react how you would like them to. Talk to someone you can trust and know will be able to support you.
- Should you report the attack to the police? No one should try to influence you - it is entirely your decision. If you're going to report it, you should do so as quickly as possible, i.e. within 24 hours (don't wash or change your clothes - vital evidence may be lost).
- You can take a friend with you or else you can contact a support group who will be able to offer help and advice and may be able to accompany you to the police station.
- The Police have specially trained officers who will treat you with compassion and care. You will not be interviewed at the station but invited to a 'recovery suite' where you will be allowed to go at your own pace and not be rushed for a statement.
- The Press are not allowed to print your name, even if they write about your assault. They may try to contact you but it is entirely your choice if you wish to speak to them or not.There are many ways you can deal with the effects of personal attack/abuse and many people to help - you do not have to go through it alone. Some prefer the anonymity of help-lines, others the personal contact of counselling, others the co-counselling which occurs within self-help groups. It is important to stress that there is nothing wrong with not liking your counsellor or self-help group. If you go to one you feel uncomfortable with, don't give up - try another. Many find methods of self-healing useful. The key is to recognise how your experience has affected your behaviour and emotions and to concentrate on your positive characteristics. Just taking up a new sport or means of self-expression such as painting or music can help. Some people find it beneficial to get directly involved with help-lines or self-help groups, proving that ultimately they are survivors, not victims.Finally, it is useful to note that 'Criminal Injuries Compensation' is sometimes available to survivors of violent crime to meet certain expenses such as counselling.
FURTHER INFORMATION & SUPPORT
AWARE, 1 East Level 3, Tel: (38) 6906
Bath Victim Support Tel: 01225 444 212
Survivors Support Tel: 0117 935 1707
Bristol Crisis Service for WomenTel: 0117 925 1119
SurvivorsUK Tel: 0207 613 0808 (Tuesday 7pm - 10pm only)
Rape Crisis Federation Tel: 0115 900 3560