Keep Safe

Ideas (best practices) from 8/1/21 Women’s Virtual Caravan, in no particular order.

Topic of the Caravan: Within the nomadic community, what strategies and tactics do you (or will you) employ to keep yourself safe around predators, especially the ones that present themselves as a friend.

  • Google search person to see if information comes up
  • Tell others if there’s a person who is a predator in your midst
  • Intuition — use it, act on it, see if others have it, practice acting on it
  • Contact others if there’s a “red flag”
  • If “red flag” happens in chat or Facebook, copy/past and send to admin/facilitator/host
  • Take a women’s self-defense class
  • Project (even if you don’t feel it) an air of self-confidence
  • Stay aware of your surroundings, look around was you walk (don’t get be distracted by your phone)
  • Give yourself permission to say “no” … hold your hand at arms length to physically block them from coming closer
  • Develop a “hard” exterior (opposite of being naive)
  • Learn to read people
  • When hiking, take a large bright flashlight
  • Know where your keys are
  • When camping with someone you don’t know, invite a trusted friend to camp with you
  • Don’t answer personal questions online
  • Limit exposure to those who drink or drug
  • Don’t respond … you don’t have to say “hi” or answer a question or acknowledge their presence
  • Be aware of the intelligence information and clues you are giving away so that a possible stalker or predator can’t find out even more information out about you.
  • If you have a predictable routine, change it up.
  • Communicate on a “need to know” basis.
  • When talking with someone for the first time, tell them only a little bit about yourself, remain a mystery, listen to their story instead.
  • Create pretend situations with a friend to practice saying “no” and setting boundaries with a person who keeps pushing
  • Don’t take people at face value
  • Be like Janell (send words to song to SuanneCarlson@homesonwheelsalliance.org)

Possible “tells” that someone is a predator:

  • They don’t take “no” for an answer
  • They don’t respect boundaries
  • Their FB page is new or has little information about them

If I missed something or you have more to add, email me.  Other ideas, email me. Need clarification, email me.  SuanneCarlson@homesonwheelsalliance.org