Personal Safety and Protection – Varsity Education

Safety Strategies

Main Idea: The key to personal safety is learning how to recognize and avoid dangerous situations.

Did you know that teens are the victims of more violent crimes than any other age group? Teens are more likely than children to go out at night, but they are less likely than adults to protect their personal safety-the steps you take to prevent yourself from becoming the victim of crime.

People living in urban areas report the highest rates of violent crime. However, crime can occur in any neighborhood and among any ethnic or socioeconomic group. About half of all violent crime occurs within one mile of a victim’s home, and many victims know their attackers.

To reduce your risk of becoming a crime victim, always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourselfand your belongings. Whenever you leave your home, keep the following tips in mind.

If you carry a cell phone, make sure it’s easy to get to. Remember that 911 will connect you with emergency services anywhere in the United States.

Avoid walking alone at night or in isolated areas, such as alleys or parks. Stick to brightly lit, well-traveled streets.
Walk briskly and confidently. Wear comfortable shoes so that you can move quickly.
Carry your wallet or purse in a place that makes it difficult to grab. Avoid openly displaying expensive jewelry, electronics, or anything that would attract a thief.
If you drive, park your car in a well-lit area and lock it. Before getting in, check to make sure no one is inside, and lock the doors as soon as you get in.
Never hitchhike or give a ride to anyone you do not know well. Keep in mind that even someone you’ve met before could be dangerous.
Get on and off public transportation in busy, well-lit areas. Sit near the driver or with a group of people.
Know the locations of nearby public places where you can seek help if you need it.
Let your family know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Call them if your plans change.

Learning to Protect Yourself

One way that you can protect yourself from crime is to avoid the places where it is likely to occur. Be aware ofwhat’s happening around you, even when you are in familiar places. If you cannot avoid a dangerous situation, you can do the next best thing: know how to protect yourself. Self-defense includes any strategy for protecting yourself from harm. One self-defense strategy is to project a strong, confident image. Criminals are more likely to attack those who look vulnerable, confused, or inattentive. Show confidence by holding your head high and walking with a deliberate stride.

If you think you are being followed in a public place, let the stalker know that you are aware of his or her presence. Try changing directions or crossing the street. If necessary, seek help from someone nearby or enter a business that’s open. If you are attacked or about to be attacked, do whatever is necessary to escape, such as running, yelling, or kicking. Shout “fire” instead of”help”-it’s more likely to get a response.

Self-defense classes can teach you additional strategies for protecting yourself When you hear “self-defense,” you may think of martial arts fighting, and some classes do teach these skills. However, self-defense classes can also teach you how to size up a situation, figure out what to do, and catch your attacker off-guard. Most important, these classes can give you the confidence you need to defeat an attacker.

Staying Safe Online

Main Idea: Teens need to protect themselves online.

The Internet is a useful resource, but it can also be a dangerous place. The hazards you can encounter range from upsetting situations, like being insulted in a chat room, to physical threats, such as Internet predators.

When you’re online, you need to know how to protect your- self. Here are a few precautions to take when you’re online:

Keep your identity private. Avoid posting personal information in any public space. This includes your full name, address, phone number, financial information, passwords, the name ofyour school, and anything else a stranger could use to track you down in the real world.
Keep online relationships online. Agreeing to meet in person with someone you’ve met online can be risky.

Don’t respond to inappropriate messages. If anyone sends you a message that makes you feel uncomfortable for any reason, tell a parent or other trusted adult.
Let your parents or guardians know what you’re doing online. Tell them about the people you meet online, the same way you’d talk to them about your friends in the real world.

Coping with Cyberbullies

About 43 percent of teens say they have experienced cruel or hurtful online contact, or cyberbullying. Such contact can come from people you know or from strangers. It can range from immature and annoying to threatening and scary.

To avoid becoming a target of cyberbullying, be careful how you communicate online. When you use a Web site, learn and follow its rules for postings. Also, be careful how you word your messages. What may be a joke to you may come across as an attack or insult to someone else. Avoid getting into “flame wars,” trading insults back and forth.

If you receive hurtful messages, don’t respond to them. Cyberbullies are often looking for attention, and if you don’t react, they’ll go find someone who will.Ifthe bullying contin- ues, however, seek help from a trusted adult. Save the messages as evidence and contact your Internet service provider (ISP). It may be possible to block all future communications from the cyberbully. If any actual crime has been committed, such as making violent threats, contact the police.

Avoiding Internet Predators

Internet predators use online contact to build up trust so they can lure victims into a face-to-face meeting. To avoid falling victim to Internet predators, follow the general guidelines for online safety. Keep your identity private, and don’t agree to meet in person with someone you’ve met online. If you ever find yourself in an online conversation that makes you feel uncomfortable or threatened-for any reason-log off and let a trusted adult know about the incident.