Personal Safety

Beyond Boundaries

Dr. Garima Joshi & Prof. Ilika Guha Majumdar

Personal Safety from What?

• Violence
• Aggression
• Harassment
• Bullying
• Digital crime
Appropriate vs Inappropriate Conduct?
Let us identify some common
dangers
Think about any recent incident
that appeared like a threat.
How did you recognize danger (warning signs)?
• What were you thinking in the danger situations?
• How were you feeling in the danger situation?
• How did you act/ react in the danger situation?
What is the Impact?
• Victims. Mental health problems (fear, sadness, shame, anxiety,
depression, chronic fatigue, sleep problems, PTSD, increased suicide
risk, etc.); physical disorders (decreased physical strength,
musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular disease); reduced self-
esteem; damages to academic functioning.
• Witnesses, colleagues, patients and clients, family
members and friends. Detrimental effects on mental health and
well-being.
• Colleges/ University. Absenteeism; low performance and
productivity; damaged reputation; unsafe environment; etc.
• Society. Costs related to medical consultations, treatment and/or
rehabilitation; social welfare/benefits; etc.
Watch out for….

Verbal vs Non-verbal Signs

The Three Rules
Stay Alert
Referred as Situational Awareness

Avoid Risky Situations

No Need to be a Hero

Trust Your Instincts

If it does not feel right… Avoid it!
Start with Situational Awareness
• What is happening around me?
• Where am I, and where do I need to be?
• Is anyone or anything a threat to my health and safety?

• Take ownership in your own personal safety!

Reducing Risks- Practical Advice
• Avoid confrontation.
• Ensure there are adequate ‘buddy system’ arrangements.
• Plan journeys and stick to appointment times – let people
know if you are delayed.
• Carry your phone at all times and consider whether you
should carry a personal ‘panic alarm’.
Personal Space
• Avoid confrontation.
• Invasion of personal space tends to heighten or escalate
anxiety.
• Note: Personal space is usually 3 feet - far enough
away so you cannot be hit or kicked.
• Do not touch a hostile person - they might interpret that as
an aggressive action.
Stalking or Cyberstalking

A pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause

a reasonable person to feel fear.
Context:
•Something may be frightening for the victim but not to you.
•Stalking behaviors often have specific meaning that is only
understood between offender & victim.
•Stalking criminalizes otherwise non-criminal behavior.
De-escalation

•De-escalation is the use of words and actions to reduce a heightened

emotional and physical state, in order to facilitate calm, rational
interaction.

Always ensure that you, bystanders and the subject are safe from
immediate
Diffusing situations in a Hostile Environment
• Maintain self control.
• Signal non aggression – eg. relaxed posture.
• Request the behaviour to stop – eg. please don’t swear.
• Acknowledge that you have received the message eg. I can see that
• Express concern.
• Remind the aggressor what they stand to lose or gain – eg. appointment with
someone else / police involvement etc.
• Divert the attention or energy – eg. to their companion etc.
• Distraction – eg. taking a call.
• Follow established procedures.
• Leave.
Protect Yourself
• You want to be in a non-threatening, non-challenging and
self-protecting position.
• Slightly more than a leg’s length away, on an angle and off
to the side of the other person.
• Stay far enough away that the other person cannot hit, kick
or grab you.
• Can you easily exit the area, if necessary?
Protect Your Property
• Don't flash cash or valuables.
• Guard your gear. Keep belongings with you.
What can we do?
• Direct and indirect measuring
• Awareness training
• Educate and train
• Committee to address concerns
• Hazard identification
• Develop and implement reporting and complaints procedures and
dispute resolution mechanism
• Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of those involved
• Provide support to victims
• Taking of disciplinary actions as required
• Assertiveness training
What can we do?
• Start with yourself….
• Focus on your friends and peers
• Support the affected
• Address the issue
• Take action
Thank You!