General Safety Tips

Here are a few safety tips that may help:

Awareness is your best self-defense; know what is happening around you.  Be especially careful if you are alone or drunk. You must avoid being a victim by staying alert.  Watch where you are going and what is going on around you.  The same principles of defensive driving should be used when walking or going about your daily activities:  Look for potential problems, and be prepared to react to them. 

Don't assume a false sense of security because you are either surrounded by people or in a remote area.  If you think something is wrong, remove yourself from the situation. Trust your gut -- if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. 

Evaluate and be aware of your surroundings.  Use well-lit, busy streets.  Keep a safe distance between you and others, and always have an out (somewhere you can turn to run if you feel threatened.)  Walk with friends or a group. When you are out late at night, have a friend accompany you - don't go alone.  Let someone know where you will be going and when you will return.  Avoid shortcuts, dark alleys, deserted streets and wooded areas.  If you feel uneasy, trust your instincts and go directly to a place where there are other people. 

Walk as if you know where you're going.  Stand tall.  Walk in a confident manner, and hold your head up.  Keep your hands free and keep them chest high in crowds.

If you feel threatened, blow your whistle, bang garbage cans, honk your horn, or shout "fire!" to attract attention.  Only wear things around your neck that will break free if some one grabs them on the run.

Hold your keys when going to and from your car, home and business. This will save time and give you some security in having protection.  Any device you carry for protection may be used AGAINST you.  Select such security devices carefully.   Don't carry more money than you will need, but always have emergency change for a phone call.

Cross the street, change direction, run to a place where there are other people, or walk closer to traffic.  Step out in the street on the other side of parked cars. Be alert when some one moves into your space, that three foot radius around you. 

Get the license plate number and a description, if possible. Give this to the police. 

Immediately cross the street or run toward a place where a number of people will be. 

Introduce her or him to a friend, acquaintance or bartender so that someone knows who you left with.  (Check out our Safer Dating Tips.) 

Develop a signal that involves more than simply turning a light on.  A more complex signal, like turning the light on and off three times, will be distinct and make potential danger clear. 

 Shout over your shoulder, or indicate in some way, that there is another person present. 

Make strangers show you a picture ID and make police officers show you formal identification. 

Instruct children, visitors, and/or extended family members to do the same.

(Check out our safety tips for teens online.) 

If you don't report what happens, you can't get help to deal with it. Contact your local police.

Click here to report a hate crime to the HATE-CRIME NETWORK.

If you do not have a local Anti-Violence Project, email or call the Hate Crime Network, 206-350-HATE.

In an emergency, call the police.

If you are not a victim of violence, but want to help:

Break the silence!  Our communities must know that domestic violence and hate crimes are serious, ongoing problems.  Share this information with others.  Contact LAMBDA to arrange a workshop or presentation to your group or organization. 

Join LAMBDA.  Give what you can to LAMBDA and other organizations working to end violence. Your financial donations are vital in maintaining our services. 

Volunteer! 

For more information, contact us by email.