Safety Tips

If you are being watched and feel uncomfortable:

• Perception is key. Always be aware of your surroundings. If someone is watching you, be sure that you're able to see what they're doing out of the corner of your eye without looking directly at the person. Also make sure that you know which way to go if someone were to approach you.
• Never turn your back on someone you think may want to attack you.
  Never stare back at the person and don't get into a confrontation. Never look the person in the eye for more than 1 second.
• Don't appear to be nervous. Instead try to look angry, annoyed, or impatient as if you are waiting for someone.
• Don't let someone get within one and a half arm lengths of you.
  

If you are being followed or threatened with assault:

• Don't ask another bystander for help because they will not know what to do. Instead ask them to walk with you or pretend to talk with you.
• Never turn your back to the assailant.
• Never scream "help" because bystanders will not want to get involved. Instead yell "fire!"
  

Basic self-defense tips:

• Use an open palm or the back of your hand
• Learn to side-step so that you avoid someone's punch or grab. Face forward, and turn completely sideways by turning your leg foot so that you are 90 degrees from where you started.
• Kick with the side of your foot, never the front, to avoid hurting your toes. You also don't have to be as precise when you kick with the side of the foot (more surface area) compared to the front (less surface area).
• If you are being attacked, aim for the face because it is easily harmed, especially the nose.