Staying Safe When You Go Abroad
Information for Men and Women About Avoiding Sexually Harassing Situations in Another Country.
Traveling Abroad
Safety when traveling abroad is an important issue for men and for women. Most American students are not aware that women, who comprise 70% of U.S. undergrads abroad, will have different experiences in their host countries than their male counterparts. Many women may find themselves the object of unwanted attention. It is important for their male colleagues to be aware of these challenges as well as their own safety issues.
At the risk of perpetuating stereotypes, women students who study abroad are urged to be more careful about where, when, and with whom they go out than they are accustomed to being at home. This is not to say that women shouldn't go out and establish relationships of various kinds with people from their host countries. It is, however, to warn women about casual encounters, possible misreading of non-verbal cues, potential misunderstandings due to language difficulties, and inaccurate notions about American women.
Despite the fact that the rate of violence towards women, including rape, is higher in the U.S. than in many other countries, facing the unfamiliar can raise a student’s anxiety level when studying abroad. This is compounded by language and cultural differences.
American women have a reputation for enjoying a lifestyle which contrasts with more traditional behavior in many countries. This image is reinforced by distorted stereotypes used in TV, movies, and advertising. One common assumption made by people in other cultures is that American women are "easy." This belief is manifested when men in other countries harass American women abroad although they might not treat local women in similar ways.
In many countries if women are out alone - even during the day - their solitude may be construed as an invitation for company. Women need to be firm in rejecting such behavior. If the behavior continues or the woman is followed, she should approach a couple or family and say – loud enough for the intruder to hear - that someone is bothering her and ask for help. Most men do not want to create trouble or embarrass themselves and will stop the behavior when it becomes obvious to others. Many women find that ignoring the harasser works best - conversation is often seen as an invitation. Don't be afraid to create a scene to get the harasser to leave.