|
|
|
Safety advice when visiting the Village
The Gay Village around Canal Street in Manchester is an area
which has been popular with Transgendered people for many
years. It has many Bars, Restaurants & Hotels which are,
accepting & friendly towards trans-people. Depending on
when you visit the Village, the atmosphere can range from
quiet and relaxed to busy, exciting & wild. This short
guide will hopefully provide some common sense based advice
on how to remain safe on your visit.
Everyone, especially trans-people, should have the right to
go about their lives free from the fear or threat of violence,
aggression and intimidation. There is a lot you can do to
improve your chances of staying safe and increase your confidence.
By taking the following precautions you will be more in control.
General Rules
-
Look
Confident. Transgender people often rely upon 'being
invisible' to remain safe. However research shows that
looking confident is a real deterrent to attackers.
Look purposeful, be alert, hold your head up and be
aware of your surroundings, even in areas that you know
very well. Be confident. You have the right to be safe.
-
Transgender
people sometimes experience harassment in or around
the Village. Think about the places in the area where
you would be confident of finding people you could ask
for help.
-
Use
all your senses, don't limit your ability to see or
hear trouble by wearing hoods, listening to music through
earphones or talking on your mobile phone.
-
It
is a good idea to have a mobile phone, a phone card,
or some spare change with you to enable you to make
a phone call.
-
We
all have the right to wear any clothes we wish, but
we also need to be aware what effect our choice of clothes
may have on others. Think about clothes you can move
in easily should you need to get away fast…
-
Be
mindful that alcohol and drugs use will reduce your
ability to keep yourself safe.
-
If
you are planning to get a cab, preferably book it before
going out. Don't pick up a cab from outside bars and
clubs unless you can be sure they are licensed
Let someone know you're OK
-
If
there is going to be someone at home, why not let them
know that you are on your way and what time to expect
you?
-
If
you live alone, you could arrange a buddy system with
a friend, where you text them to let them know you
are home safely. Always phone or text from a safe
place and not from the middle of the street.
In your Car
-
Have your keys ready when you approach your car so
that you can enter it quickly and not spend time on
fumbling in bags or pockets.
-
Check
through the windows that there is no one already in
your car before getting in.
-
If
possible, park your car somewhere where it would make
it difficult for anyone to conceal themselves near
the entrance to your car.
-
Remain
alert, until you are safely inside you car, and then
lock the doors.
-
Don't
offer lifts to any strangers especially people you
have just struck up a conversation with in the bar.
Note: Females have been known to working in partnership
with boyfriends/other men to steal from people.
Around the streets
-
Think
about where the danger spots may be along the routes
you regularly follow, and how you could avoid them
(e.g. dark alleyways, deserted or poorly lit areas
etc)
-
If
you feel at all threatened by someone, take evasive
action. Move away, cross the road etc. and move towards
somewhere where there are other people.
-
If
someone passes you an adverse comment whilst you are
out walking, don't react in any way but keep walking
without hesitation or turning your head.
-
Consider
carrying a personal shriek alarm. Carrying an alarm
can give you extra confidence and you can use it to
shock and disorientate attackers giving you time to
get away.
-
Alternatively
carry an umbrella, even in the summer. Even a fold-up
umbrella can appear as a deterrent.
-
If
you do have to pass danger spots, think about what
you would do if you felt threatened. The best idea
is to head for a public place where you know there
will be other people.
-
If
you are out in the evening or early morning try and
stay with friends or stay near a group of people.
-
Try
to keep both hands free and don't walk with your hands
in your pockets.
-
Always
take the route you know best and try to use well lit,
busy streets.
-
Try
to walk in the middle of the pavement. Walking against
the direction of oncoming traffic will help you avoid
kerb crawlers.
-
If
you think you are being followed, trust your instincts
and take action. As confidently as you can, cross
the road turning and look to see who is behind you.
-
If
you are still being followed, keep moving. Make for
a busy area and tell people what is happening. If
necessary, call the police.
-
If
a vehicle pulls up suddenly alongside you, turn and
walk in the other direction - you can turn much faster
than a car.
In Bars and Restaurants
-
Beware
of the innocent enquiry in the pub, sometimes these
conversations soon turn nasty and judgemental. Be
prepared to make your excuses and exit at the appropriate
point. Your own safety comes before any thoughts of
politeness.
-
Don't
accept drinks from complete strangers without you
seeing its complete journey from the bar staff to
yourself, and never leave your drink unattended.
Report it
-
If
you are harassed by anyone report it as soon as possible.
If it is from someone in a car, take the registration
number. Note the time, place and as much additional
information as possible. Report it to the Police or
online straight away. The Police and Crown Prosecution
Service take hate crime very seriously and the threshold
for ensuring a prosecution is very low.
Words taken from the GMP hate crime reporting website:
-
If
you require an immediate response please telephone
our switchboard on 0161 872 5050.
The switchboard is open 24 hours a day.
In an emergency, please dial 999.
Our minicom number is 0161 872 6633."
The GMP hate crime reporting website is:
http://www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/hatecrime.htm
|
|
| |
Below
is a list of all the Mnemonics in the Government Consultation
Document referred to in the forum. |
|
|
