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It is important that you are aware of and exercise your right to safety. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect world and your personal safety may be threatened. You are encouraged to implement safety strategies to deal with a threat to your personal safety. This does not remove your right to safety, it merely ensures that you are prepared and committed to your personal safety, should your right ever be threatened.
Assess your risk of becoming a victim of personal violence on the basis of Queensland Police Crime statistics. www.police.qld.gov.au
Being committed to your personal safety is fundamental to maintaining it. Many people have a strong commitment to preserving the safety of their loved ones, and are willing to take any action required if those people were in danger, but do not have the same level of commitment to their own safety.
You are encouraged to value yourself and develop a strong commitment to your safety. This will give you the ability to actively preserve your safety by implementing preventative strategies and taking action should your safety be threatened.
Confidence is a valuable tool for many aspects of life. In the context of personal safety, having and displaying confidence plays a vital role in the preservation of safety.
Offenders target people they perceive to be vulnerable and who would offer them the least amount of resistance. As a result, the vast majority of threats can be deterred if you appear to be confident and self-assured.
Remember if you don't feel confident in any situation, fake it! This will ensure you enjoy the same benefits and may even boost your confidence.
Body language is a powerful tool that can be used to your advantage. By appearing confident and comfortable in your surroundings you decrease your attractiveness to potential offenders.
Strong, confident body language includes standing tall with your head up, shoulders back and walking with a purpose. Making brief eye contact with passers-by is also an effective method of demonstrating that you are not intimidated.
Being aware of what is happening around you by continuously surveying your surroundings will alert you to possible threats to your safety, before they reach you. This gives you the opportunity to remove yourself from the situation.
Your body senses danger long before your mind consciously works out why you sense it. It is vital you listen to, trust, and act on these instincts.
If you do sense danger or pick up ‘bad vibes' from someone, something or some place, you are encouraged to leave immediately and go to a place where you feel safe.
Assertive communication allows people to express their points of view objectively to reach an agreeable solution. It does not involve backing down (being passive) or standing over someone (being aggressive).
Assertive communication is optimal in most day-to-day situations. However, it should be noted that there may be occasion where being either aggressive or passive is required to maximise your safety.
Developing a network of people you trust and can contact for advice or assistance in an emergency, or if you feel your personal safety is threatened, is important. People you might consider for your network are relatives, friends, community groups, neighbours, police and security.
All people are encouraged to develop their own Personal Safety Plan. This Plan is useful to build confidence and a commitment to your safety by considering practical preventative strategies as well as preparing you, should your safety ever be threatened.
A Personal Safety Plan consists of safety strategies you choose to suit your own lifestyle and abilities. As you implement your Plan these strategies should become habits. A Personal Safety Plan should not involve succumbing to a list of rules provided by another person.
Many people find it difficult to think clearly and act effectively under pressure. Visual imagery is a technique that can prepare you to automatically implement your chosen safety strategies. It simply involves yourself in a particular situation whereby you successfully use chosen strategies.
If the situation you imagined were to actually occur there is a far greater chance that you will think clearly and react automatically. For example, you might imagine how you would speak assertively to stand up to a workplace bully.
Source: QPS Personal Safety Strategies
CQUniversity CRICOS Provider Codes: QLD-00219C; NSW-01315F; VIC-01624D
