In the wake of recent media coverage on women being abducted, assaulted and murdered, the public's consciousness on the issue of safety for women has rarely been more pronounced. Emails are being forwarded on tips for women's safety at night, articles are being written, radio and television programmes are airing discussions about this issue. So where do we go from here?

In the personal, those economically able can think about taking up self-defense classes, and this goes for both men and women. In the event of an attack in your vicinity, you are then physically confident to take pro-active measures in helping the victim to escape. Also, there are other devices that can be purchased from your nearest pharmacy like rape alarms and pepper sprays. Being constantly alert of your surroundings when walking on your own makes you less susceptible to being caught unawares by the attacker. When going to the car, make sure you are not fumbling in your bag for the keys, talking on the mobile phone or a host of other activity that may detract your attention from your surroundings. Have the phone number of a police station in your mobile phone on speed-dial so that you can make the call if you are able to in the event of a crisis situation. The list of helpful tips goes on.

So does this mean that we have to take the matter in our own hands? That all women should now walk in threes and fours anywhere or be escorted by big hefty men into car parks, and that we should not allow our female friends and relatives from stepping out of the house after 6pm? Should all women also be competent in some form of martial arts or if failing so, acquire some form of weapon, maybe even a gun? Or should all women try to wear men's clothes and sport a fake mustache so they can stop looking like women, hence be targeted less?

If that sounds ridiculous to you, then breathe a sigh of relief because you can still recognise the impact on the mobility and freedom of women induced by the fear of violence. The fear of personal safety can result in the restriction of women's ability to conduct our daily lives and in the unwillingness to help even when an attack is happening right in front of our eyes. It can paralyse us to the extent where women slowly become phased out of the public sphere under the label of "protection" and "in her best interests". When that happens, our right to participate fully in society becomes stunted, and once again we are shunted into the private domain of the homes because it is apparently "safer", but we know from the statistics on rape, incest and domestic violence, that this is hardly true.

Not only that, the belief that it is solely our responsibility to prevent can lead to the opinion that all attacks become the fault of the woman because she has failed to take enough precautionary steps, that she somehow 'provoked' it through this failing. Sounds familiar? It is not a new phenomenon to place the blame on women when they become victims of a crime. How many of us have thought that about rape? Once again, it is implored that we place the blame squarely on the attacker who has chosen to commit the crime before we give the criminals an easy excuse to continue in their actions, and another reason to hinder reporting and stopping these crimes from coming to light.

So why are women targeted? We have been taught through so many channels - parents, mass media, communal, peer and sometimes even formal education - that women are weaker than men. Women are largely seen to be physically, intellectually and rationally inferior. To make matters worse, we are often bombarded with the message that women are to be appreciated best as sexual objects. Is it then surprising that women are perceived to be more vulnerable targets, and that a criminal may think he has the option of violating not only the property, but also the body? Although precautionary and preventive steps are important, if a shift in these beliefs and perceptions do not occur, the problem will remain irresolutely present in our society. Our daughters, mothers, wives, female relatives and ourselves will continue to be targeted, mugged, assaulted, raped and murdered.

In the meantime, how do we ensure that the environment becomes safe for women so that we can continue in our lives? Owners of buildings should share the responsibility in ensuring that their infrastructure is safe to the public. Car parks should be well lit and security guards should patrol each floor to check for any emergency. If requested, the security guard should accompany the patron to her/his car. Police officers should be alert and be provided with adequate infrastructure to deal with any emergency situation when reported. There must be enough patrol cars and officers, and technological assistance for effective immediate action. Devices such as personal alarms should be made accessible and cheap to the public. Perhaps the government may want to think of including a module in Physical Education on self-defence in schools, which would incorporate the principle of respect to others' bodily integrity and the negative culture of violence for conflict resolution.

Bottom line is, there is much to be done by everyone. No single measure can work on its own to ensure effective prevention, intervention and follow-up action. However, we must exercise great care that we do not further discriminate women in the outrage of our fear.

Jaclyn Kee
29th June 2003

Fortnightly Column by WAO on Sunday Mail (Reprinted with permission from Sunday Mail)