December 27 - USC: Adapted from "Personal Safety" module, Pre-Service Health Training for Volunteer Binder, Peace Corps Office of Medical Services
Peace Corps Online:
Peace Corps News:
Peace Corps Library:
Reference:
Special Interests:
Health and Medicine:
December 27 - USC: Adapted from "Personal Safety" module, Pre-Service Health Training for Volunteer Binder, Peace Corps Office of Medical Services
Adapted from "Personal Safety" module, Pre-Service Health Training for Volunteer Binder, Peace Corps Office of Medical Services
Read and comment on this report on personal safety for peace corps volunteers at:
Adapted from "Personal Safety" module, Pre-Service Health Training for Volunteer Binder, Peace Corps Office of Medical Services*
* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.
Adapted from "Personal Safety" module, Pre-Service Health Training for Volunteer Binder, Peace Corps Office of Medical Services
BACKGROUND
According to the Peace Corps, the number and severity of personal safety
and security issues is rising in virtually all countries. Problems range from
minor verbal harassment to theft and robbery to serious physical and sexual
assault. These incidents are of concern to all students and staff.
Try to obtain country and region specific statistics on physical and sexual
assault.
Some incidents are not avoidable, but many are.
CONDITIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO RISK
According to Peace Corps records, the situations which place students at
greatest risk are:
Being out after midnight
Being alone at night in an isolated area
Being in a known high crime area
Sleeping in an unlocked place
Being out after a local curfew
Being intoxicated
STRATEGIES USED BY STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES
TO REDUCE RISK
It is useful to remind students that they have been using a variety of
strategies to avoid harm while living in the United States and to review what
those strategies are:
Listening for what is being said around them
Keeping watch for suspicious people and vehicles
Knowing what hours of the night are more dangerous than others
Staying in and walking only in those areas that are well lit
Avoiding being alone in unfamiliar neighborhoods
Knowing where to get help (stores, phones, fire station, etc.)
It is important to discuss the extent to which these strategies are or are not
applicable during your time abroad.
FACTORS PLACING STUDENTS AT RISK
Your circumstance as foreigners place you at some increased risk.
Specifically, you:
Are new to this country
May not speak the local language well
Are traveling to new places and making new friends
Will generally be traveling by public transportation
Are curious about your new home and the new culture you are living
in
Probably stand out in a crowd
Have not yet learned the best way to say no in this culture
May not yet pick up the "clues" in this culture that you are in danger
Have not yet established personal daily routines in your new home
STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING RISK
Safety is ultimately the responsibility of each individual student and each
person should actively develop his or her own personal safety strategies.
Administrators can assist you in developing personal awareness and personal
safety strategies. Some suggestions include:
At site:
Establishing relationships with hosts, neighbors, and local authorities
Improving structural security of residence (shuttered/barred window,
door locks, sealed walls/ceilings, etc.)
Ensuring access to emergency medical care
Developing emergency support/communications network
Screening night visitors
Traveling:
Notifying the study abroad office of travel plans
Wearing prudent attire
Restricting night travel
Projecting certainty of route and destination
Avoiding "high risk" regions
Traveling with a friend/ trusted other
Inspecting vehicle for safety (tires, overloading, brakes, etc.)
Establishing rapport with regular drivers
Determining risk levels of varying means of transport (bus, train, taxi,
hitch hiking, etc.)
(Women) sitting with other women or middle aged couples
Urban Area:
Demonstrating vigilance/confidence/"street smarts"
Being aware of surroundings
Avoiding "high risk" areas
Identifying "safe zones"
Using "buddy system"
Carrying whistle or other personal safety device
Locating safe hotels/guest houses
Moderating alcohol consumption
Carrying only sufficient cash in safe place (pouch, money belt)
REPORTING
If you are a victim of an assault, reporting this incident to the administrator is
important because:
You may need medical attention
You may need to or choose to talk with someone about what has
happened
You may want or need assistance in working with the local authorities
You should be aware of whether the discussion is confidential.
Adapted from "Personal Safety" module, Pre-Service Health Training for
Volunteer Binder, Peace Corps Office of Medical Services
Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.
.