Living Street Safe

Living Street Safe

Originally submitted to SUBSTANCE Magazine, Sep. 23.2007

The news reports this Fall are horrifying.

In the first week of September, a female student at Carlton University in Ottawa was violently sexually assaulted. In the same week there were 2 brazen sexual assaults of 2 students in separate attacks by the same 2 perpetrators, with them attempting a third sexual assault on a third student at York University in north Toronto. In the second week of September, a 16 year old male student was stabbed to death inside his own high school. Students and parents, teachers and neighbourhoods are in shock. Community leaders are reeling in disbelief and outrage. Police are determined to apprehend the culprits involved in these vicious crimes.

Protecting yourself from crime is more important than ever before. Fear and worry spread quickly after such terrible crimes. Since these unprecedented crime sprees, students of all ages and at all schools are being urged to be vigilant.

It is a myth that women will be hurt if they fight back. Being raped IS being hurt. Rape IS an injury. Some research has found that only 3% of rapes involve injuries beyond the sexual assault.

As such, the idea of taking a personal self-defence course is a wise decision. In Ottawa, the Safe Day Studio (see www.ustaysafe.com) offers women’s self-defence seminars for a very reasonable $45 fee. Montreal Assault Prevention Centre (see www.cpamapc.org/en/action) offers self-defence for women and teen girls. Fees are low at approximately $50 per participant. The Centre is flexible and can come to you! Why not organize a girls’ night out and have the instructors customize a safety class for your group! In Toronto & smaller communities there are a multitude of programs available for any group, gender, location, and budget. Most are hosted by martial arts studios which will gladly customize a self-defence program for its attendees. Search under “women’s self-defence” or “street smarts”.

Being familiar with the basics is only common sense.

1. Trust your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.

2. Be careful inviting a new person or people into your home. Be careful going to another person’s or people’s homes.

3. Be aware of alcohol and drugs. Either/or and/or both can compromise your judgment.

4. Be aware of high risk situations. Like being alone with a new partner. Like hearing, “If you loved me you would …….”. Like socializing with groups that don’t share your values. Like going out alone – groups are better. Safer.

Be Smart – Stay Safe!

REFS/Sources:

GlobeandMail.com

The Toronto Rape Crisis Centre

Canada.com

CTV.ca