A Guide to Staying Safe from Street Harassment and Racist Abuse

Being accosted or subjected to racist abuse in public can be a frightening and upsetting experience. Your safety and well-being are the absolute priority. This guide offers practical steps to help you avoid danger and manage the situation if it occurs.

Section 1: Prevention and Awareness (Your First Line of Defence)

Being aware of your surroundings can often help you avoid a confrontation entirely.

• Trust Your Instincts: If you feel a sense of unease about a person or a situation, do not ignore it. Your subconscious is often the best alarm system. Cross the street, change your route, or enter a shop.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Avoid being engrossed in your phone or headphones, especially in isolated areas like underpasses, quiet side streets, or empty train carriages. Keep your head up and make brief, confident eye contact with people around you; this shows you are alert.
• Plan Your Route: Stick to well-lit, busy streets, especially after dark. Let someone know your expected route and arrival time.
• Have Your Keys Ready: When approaching your home or car, have your keys in your hand. This prevents you from being vulnerable while fumbling in your bag at the doorstep.

Section 2: During the Confrontation (How to Respond)

If someone accosts you, your main goal is to de-escalate and get away safely.

1. The Primary Rule: Disengage and Create Distance
The safest option is almost always to walk away without engaging.

• Do not escalate: Arguing with someone who is being abusive or aggressive is unlikely to change their mind and can quickly make the situation more dangerous.
• Create space: Cross the street, change direction, or move towards other people or a public building.

2. If They Are Verbally Abusive but Not Physically Threatening

• Brief and Firm: You are not obligated to respond, but if you choose to, a simple, firm statement like, “Do not speak to me like that,” or “Leave me alone,” can be effective. Do not get drawn into a debate.
• Do Not Internalise It: Remember that the abuse is a reflection of their bigotry, not your worth. Do not feel you have to stand there and take it; your safety comes first.

3. If You Feel Physically Threatened

• Draw Attention: Make a scene. Shout “Back off!” or “Get away from me!” loudly and firmly. This can shock the aggressor and alert people nearby.
• Be Specific: If you need help from bystanders, be direct. Single someone out and give a clear instruction: “You in the blue coat, call the police now!” or “Help me, this person is threatening me!” Vague shouts can cause confusion.
• Use a Personal Safety Alarm: Carrying a loud personal alarm can disorient an attacker and draw significant attention.

Section 3: After the Incident

Your safety and mental well-being are crucial after the event.

• Get to a Safe Place: Go to a busy café, shop, or public building. If you’re on public transport, sit near the driver or in a busy carriage.
• Report It:
  • In an Emergency: If you are followed, physically attacked, or feel you are in immediate danger, call 999.
  • Non-Emergency: To report a hate crime after the event, you can call 101 or report it online to your local police force. It is important to log these incidents, as it helps the police build patterns and allocate resources.
• Seek Support: These experiences can be traumatic.
  • Tell Someone: Speak to a friend, family member, or colleague. You do not have to deal with it alone.
  • Professional Help: Organisations like Victim Support offer free, confidential help to victims of crime, including hate crime.
  • Community Support: Reach out to organisations that specialise in supporting victims of racism, such as Tell MAMA (for anti-Muslim abuse) or CST (Community Security Trust, for anti-Jewish abuse). They can provide advice and support.

Section 4: As a Bystander – How You Can Help (The “Active Bystander” Approach)

If you witness someone being accosted, your intervention can be powerful. The goal is to assist the victim, not confront the aggressor.

1. The Distraction: Ignore the aggressor and speak directly to the person being targeted. Ask a casual question like, “Excuse me, do you know what time it is?” or “Are you okay? I’m just over there if you need me.” This interrupts the dynamic and shows the victim they are not alone.
2. The Direct Approach (if safe): Calmly and firmly tell the aggressor, “Leave them alone.” Do not get into a physical or verbal fight.
3. The Delegation: Find someone in a position of authority, like a train guard, bus driver, or shop security. If not, call the police on 999 if the situation is escalating.
4. Record (with caution): If it is safe to do so, you can discreetly film the incident on your phone. This can be valuable evidence for the police. However, your primary focus should be on the safety of the victim and yourself. Do not post the video online; give it to the victim or the police.

Summary: Key Takeaways

• Your safety is paramount. Winning an argument is not the goal; getting away safely is.
• Trust your gut. If a situation feels wrong, remove yourself from it.
• Disengage and create distance. Walking away is the smartest and safest response.
• Report hate crimes to the police on 101 (or 999 in an emergency) to ensure they are recorded.
• Seek support for your mental well-being. You are not to blame, and you do not have to suffer in silence.

Useful Resources:

• Emergency Police: 999
• Non-Emergency Police: 101
• Victim Support: www.victimsupport.org.uk
• Tell MAMA: www.tellmamauk.org (to report anti-Muslim hate)
• CST: www.cst.org.uk (to report anti-Jewish hate)
• Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk (for general advice on your rights)