Statistically you’re most at risk of becoming
a victim of crime when you’re out late at night. The mixture of
alcohol, the dark and quiet surroundings can all contribute to increasing
the risk of being attacked or having something stolen.
Now you definitely wouldn’t want that ending to
a fantastic night, would you? We can’t guarantee you complete safety,
but following a few basic tips, could drastically reduce the chances
of you ending up with something worse than just a bad hangover.
Decide what you need to take, and leave everything
else behind. Don’t take lots of credit cards, and only take the
money you expect to spend.
Make sure you keep your valuables in a safe
place eg. locker – don’t carry your mobile or wallet loose.
If you’re meeting friends later, tell someone
where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Importantly, it is always better to plan your
way out and back home before stepping out of the house. Police officer,
Melvin Tay, 29, added, “it’s best to go with people you are familiar
with as friends can look out for one another.” Adrian Wee, 25, Marketing
Manager and Resident DJ of Liquid Room also added that “these are
the people who will take care of you if anything happens. It’s a
shitty job but someone’s got to do it.” [^top]
At the club:
Know your limit when drinking and never accept
a drink from someone you do not completely trust.
To avoid a drink being spiked, try not to leave
your glass unattended. When drinking from a bottle, keeping your
thumb over the top is a good idea.
Your body can't handle too many different chemicals
and will react badly to mixing different types of alcohol, much
less drugs.
Clubs provide water and chill-out areas – use
them. Even if you are just drinking alcohol your body still gets
dehydrated and needs water to help wash out the toxins. It’s better
to drink some water and often.
When asked what other precaution there is to take
while clubbing, Adrian’s immediate reply was to “wear a helmet!”
Having received complaints from clubbers regarding drinks being
sloshed on their heads, a reason for fights breaking out. “So if
you want to club safely, wear a helmet!” advised Adrian, albeit
with a huge grin.
Trouble may also brew when people lose their belongings.
I bet you have heard countless stories of people who lost their
bags or mobile phones in clubs. Therefore, the golden rule here
is never to show off and accept drinks from just anyone. There’s
no need to flaunt your Gucci tote, you can keep it safe in a locker,
away from prying eyes. One thing that Adrian kept reiterating was
“never, never, never leave your belongings lying around. Once they
are gone, you’ll blame the club”. But think carefully, who’s to
blame but yourself? [^top]
Leaving the club:
Don’t accept a lift from anyone you don’t know
well, or you know has been drinking.
Try not to walk home alone – if you’re left
on your own then get a taxi back; the midnight surcharge is a
small price to pay for your personal safety.
If you do end up walking, stick to main roads
and walk on the kerb, facing oncoming traffic.
It’s best to either phone for a taxi and meet
somewhere fairly busy, or go to the nearest taxi stand.
When you’ve got home safely, SMS or call one
of your other friends to let them know you’re OK. [^top]
Avoiding trouble:
People always feel more confident as part of
a group and courage is bolstered after a few drinks. Aggressive
tendencies are also heightened in people who otherwise are perfectly
harmless.
If you are hassled, or threatened by someone
in a club, it’s often best just to move than attempt to argue.
Move far away from where the perpetrator was, and try and locate
yourself near the bar or security staff.
Have a prepared response to be able to say
‘no’ assertively. Say ‘no’ to the reason, not the person: "I'm
afraid I've got a cold coming on. I feel awful. I want to go home
as soon as possible."
If your friends look like they might be about
to get into a fight, attempt to stop it by talking to your mate.
Ignore the other party or their friends, and simply concentrate
on reasoning with your friend. Stand behind or at the side of
them, never try to get between the 2 parties.
“We will kick you out if we sense trouble,” warned
Eric, a bouncer at Zouk.
You would not want to mess around with these men in black for they
will make sure that you will be banned from the club if you challenge
their authority. [^top]
Conclusion
Remember those Enid Blyton books that you were mesmerised by in
primary school? If they taught nothing, they at least showed that
most bullies usually picked on weak victims, and backed off when
someone stood up? The same theory applies in real life, believe
it or not.
As you have learned, it is possible to make yourself
look "too risky" in the small mind of an attacker. When you’re out
on your own, remember to take precautions. It will make you feel
confident, look confident, and unattractive to a predator on the
prowl.
As Marketing Manager and resident DJ Adrian Wee
said, “people go with different intentions, [and] girls are more
vulnerable than guys. So, it looks like it is always better to be
prepared and be safe than sorry!” [^top]
Some
more dos and don'ts:
Dos:
Be confident, strong and out-going
in your appearance.
Be observant, look around you and learn
to notice unusual happenings.
Put your things away in your bag before
you leave the club, not as you're walking (back to your
car or wherever).
When walking along the road, carry
your bag on the hand/shoulder that’s not facing the road.
Motorists may just snatch it and ride off.
Don'ts:
If you're tired, you're more likely
to look like a victim and be one.
This isn’t the time to be a dreamer
or loner. Don't be in your own little world. Attackers
love this.
Don't be drunk, because you will have
slower reflexes, and be unable to defend yourself. Attackers
know this and will use it to their advantage.
Don’t walk alone and avoid dark places
and short cuts. Attackers tend to lurk in these areas.
