|
|
|
Personal
Safety - Women's Concerns
Everyone
has the right to live free of unwanted attention, harassment
and abuse. You have this right, whoever you are, whatever
your race, background, religion or sexuality, and however
you dress or act. No-one has the right to interfere with this,
whether they are strangers, colleagues, friends, acquaintances
or family.
Minor
sexual assault
-
This
is more likely to happen in crowded places. It includes
being touched or rubbed against.
-
It
can be hard to know who is doing this, so it is often easier
to move away, if this is possible. Try to move to where
there are other women.
-
If
you feel confident to do so, a stern ‘take your hands
off me’ may make the person stop. This will also alert
other people to their behaviour.
-
Despite
popular beliefs, rape by a stranger is very uncommon.
-
Sexual
assault and rape are more likely to happen in less busy
areas. You can reduce the risk of this type of attack by
following the general guidance earlier in this section.
-
If
you are attacked, you must decide whether to defend yourself,
which may put you at risk of further injury. Or it may not
be possible to defend yourself. Either way, you did not
ask to be raped. It is not your fault. You did not deserve
it.
-
If
you have been raped, you may or may not want to report it
to the police, or to see a nurse or counsellor.
The police
are specially trained to work with women who have been sexually
assaulted. You will be able to talk to a female police officer,
and to a female doctor or nurse if you go to hospital.
If you
want to report the crime straightaway, whether you get medical
help or go straight to the police, try not to wash or change
your clothes. If you want to report the crime at a later date,
this is okay too.
If you
know someone who has been raped, try to be supportive, but
do not be judgemental. It is up to them what they do now.
|
|
|
