LGBT Safety Advice

Everyone should have the right to go about their lives free from the fear or threat of violence, aggression and intimidation.  Do not allow the threat of violence to frighten you into never going anywhere alone. 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.

Look Confident . Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and 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.

Many Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people experience a high proportion of aggression in or around their home from neighbour harassment.  Think about the places in your neighborhood where you would be confident of finding people you could ask for help.

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.

Think about where the danger spots may be along your regular routes, and how you could avoid them (e.g. waste land, dark alleyways, deserted or poorly lit areas etc.)

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, for example a garage or shop

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. 

If a vehicle pulls up suddenly alongside you, turn and walk in the other direction – you can turn much faster than a car.

Never accept a lift with a stranger or someone you don’t know very well.

 Try to walk in the middle of the pavement.  Walking against the direction of oncoming traffic will help you avoid kerb crawlers.

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 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.

Have your keys ready when you approach your home so that you can enter quickly and not spend time on your doorstep fumbling in bags or pockets.

If possible, make it difficult for anyone to conceal themselves near the entrance to your home e.g. by cutting back hedges or installing outside lighting.

Remain alert, until you are safely inside.

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.

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.  Always use licensed taxis or minicabs.  Remember only licensed taxis can be hailed on the street. Minicabs must be pre-booked. Any minicab that touts for business on the street is illegal, uninsured and potentially very dangerous.

If travelling at night on public transport or in an unfamiliar area, try to walk near other people with whom you feel safe, and walk purposefully to your destination.

If possible, wait for a bus or train in a well-lit place near other people.

Take note of where the emergency alarms are and try to sit near to them – there are alarms on every bus, in every train carriage and on every platform.

If a bus is empty or it is after dark, you may feel safer sitting on the lower deck and sit near the driver or conductor. On trains, avoid compartments which have no access to corridors or other parts of the train.  Try to sit with other people and avoid empty carriages.

If you feel uneasy, it makes sense to move to another seat or carriage or get off at the next stop if you know the area.

If you feel threatened on public transport, make as much noise as possible to attract the attention of the driver or guard.  Sound the emergency alarm and if on a station platform you can use the telephone at the Help Points.  It will immediately connect you to the British Transport Police.

Avoid confrontation.  Do not meet aggression with aggression.  Learn to talk your way out of problems, stay calm, and speak confidently, slowly and clearly.  Breathe out slowly to help you relax.

 Thinking things through and planning for the unexpected helps you to feel confident and react well in emergencies.