How can men help?

Men can help by taking the issue of women's safety seriously in their everyday lives. Bear these points in mind:

• If you are walking in the same direction as a woman on her own, don't walk behind her – this may worry her. Cross the road and walk on the other side. This may reassure her that you are not following her.
• Don't sit too close to a woman on her own in a railway carriage or bus.
• If you are thinking of chatting to a woman waiting, for example, at a lonely bus stop, remember that she won't know you mean no harm.
• Realise how threatening actions such as staring, whistling, passing comments and jostling can be, particularly when you are one of a group of men.
• Help female friends or family members by giving them a lift or walking them home when you can. If you do, make sure they are safely indoors before you leave.

If the worst happens

• Think what you would do if someone attacked you. Could you fight back, or would you avoid resisting and wait to escape? Only you can decide whether to fight back, but preparing yourself for all possibilities could provide a split-second advantage.
• If someone threatens you, shout and scream for help and set off your personal attack alarm if you have one. This may unnerve the attacker and frighten him off.
• You have every right to defend yourself, with reasonable force with items that you have with you like an umbrella, hairspray or keys can be used against an attacker. The law however doesn't allow carrying anything that can be described as an offensive weapon.