SAFE, LADIES
the daytime. Never tell a stranger where you are staying or when you are leaving – some men prey on women departing the next day, knowing that the victim will probably not change her flight to pursue them. Do not multitask: no chatting on the phone, texting, reading or podcast-listening in public places. Travel in pairs or groups.
Lucas adds that women should always designate one member of their group the teetotaler. She also warns women against indulging in the welcome drink served at tagmany hotels in the Far and Middle East. Women have been drugged by this seemingly innocent beverage (tea, coffee or juice) and assaulted by hotel employees in their rooms. As for full-moon parties, the beach bacchanals in Thailand are notoriously dangerous for women – drink only sealed beverages.
To avoid unwanted attention, leave revealing clothes at home and bring looser, longer pieces in neutral colours or shades of black. In conservative cultures, follow the style norm of local women.
“Wearing Indian clothes suits the climate and the need for modesty,” Ward said, “and it shows that you respect Indian culture and are willing to adapt to their traditions.”
Evelyn Hannon, founder of online travel magazine Journeywoman, suggests wearing dark sunglasses in cultures (India, parts of the Middle East) where the men might misinterpret direct eye contact. Many women also slip on a fake wedding ring.
In 2014, the Thomson Reuters Foundation surveyed the most dangerous transportation systems for women. It ranked Mexico City, Delhi, Jakarta and Lima, Peru, among the worst, with Bogota, Colombia, at No 1. To counter the threat, several countries – Japan, India, Brazil, Egypt and Mexico – have women-only subway cars. If you are stuck with a mixedgender carriage, grab a seat to avoid pinches from behind or stand with your sisters for a 360-degree shield. Wear your bag in front of your chest to protect yourself from creeping hands.
Sudha Pillai, a journalist in Bangalore who grew up in India, said she and her friends used to carry safety pins to fend off men in crowded buses and trains.
Taxi safety varies from country to country. In some cities, such as Mexico City and Sao Paolo, Brazil, never hail a ride from the street. Instead, order a ride from a trusted source, such as a hotel, restaurant or certified taxi organisation. In a growing trend, cab companies have an Eve behind the wheel and Evettes in the passenger seat – no men allowed. The pioneering idea has sprouted in Cairo (PinkTaxi), Mumbai (Priyadarshini Taxi and Viira Cabs) and Paris (Women Drive).
No matter who’s driving, always sit in the back. I made this mistake in Sochi, Russia, in 2013, and the driver slapped his hand on my thigh. If you are subject to inappropriate comments or actions, surreptitiously snap photos of the cabbie’s face, permit and licence plate, or record the interaction. In an assault Puri urges women who find themselves in threatening situations to remember their WEALTH, a mnemonic device for assessing danger. W is for weapon: (Does he have one or do you?); E is for escape: (Is there an exit route?); A is for accomplices and allies: (Who are his and yours?); L is for language: (Can you detect body language, too?); T is for terrain: (What is the landscape?); and H is for hands: (Where are his and what is in them?). Develop a game plan based on the answers.
In most scenarios, Puri recommends active resistance, such as shouting, running and performing self-defence moves. If that approach fails, she said, switch to passive resistance such as soiling yourself, claiming to have a sexually transmitted disease or saying you are married or religious. If the predator is unmoved, carrying a weapon and threatening your life, she advises you not to resist.
“Your objective is to survive,” she said.
In cases of harassment on public transportation, experts encourage women to make a scene. “Make your objections known, even if the act might be unintentional. Even a loud ‘excuse me’ will bring attention to the inappropriate behaviour,” Puri said. “Look to strangers for help.” After an assault If you have suffered a sexual assault, first and foremost, seek safety. Then start making calls. At the top of your list:
To preserve evidence of the attack, refrain from brushing your teeth and bathing until you have sought professional help. If you wish to remove your clothes, place them in a paper bag, not a plastic one. Document the incident with notes and pictures, including images of your wounds and the scene of the attack. At the hospital, ask for a rape kit, and HIV and STD tests. Retain copies of the medical reports and test results.
“You just don’t know who you can trust,” Lucas said.