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Top ten tips to protect yourself

continued from page 4
Staying safe in taxis

  • If you are going to be out late, try to arrange a lift home or book a taxi. Check that the taxi that arrives is the one you ordered. Ask for a description of the car - colour, make, etc - and check this when it arrives. If you gave your name when you booked, check that the driver can tell you it before you get in. When you get home, ask the driver to wait until you are inside.
  • There are many reputable mini-cab or private hire car companies, but these must be booked either at their office or by phone. In some cases the driver will carry identification. Always keep the number of a reliable firm handy. Avoid mini-cabs or private hire cars that tout for business.
  • Always sit behind the driver.
  • If you feel uneasy, ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are plenty of people
  • If in any doubt, don't get in a taxi.

    Staying safe on public transport

  • Try to stay away from isolated bus stops, especially after dark.
  • On an empty bus, sit near the driver or conductor.
  • On a train, sit in a compartment where there are several other people. Check to see where the emergency chain is.

    Advice for men

    Men can help by taking the issue of women's safety seriously in their everyday lives. Bear these points in mind:

  • If you are walking in the same direction as a woman on her own, don't walk behind her - this may worry her. Cross the road and walk on the other side. This may reassure her that you are not following her.
  • Don't sit too close to a lone woman in a railway carriage or bus.
  • If you are thinking of chatting to a woman waiting, for example, at a lonely bus stop, remember that she won't know that you mean no harm.
  • Realise how threatening actions such as staring, whistling, passing comments and jostling can be, particularly when you are one of a group of men.
  • Help female friends or family members by giving them a lift or walking them home when you can. If you do, make sure they are safely indoors before you leave.

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