Staying Safe When You Go Abroad
Information for Men and Women About Avoiding Sexually Harassing Situations in Another Country.
Going Out With Others
Make friends with fellow student travelers and take them with you wherever you go. This is your best protection. The more friends, the better—take two or three along—there is safety in numbers. A woman traveling alone is much more of a target for harassment than two women together. Students in groups can really do a lot to help protect and support each other. It may be advisable for men to escort women students home.
Additionally, contrary to most students’ usual habits, study abroad students will need to do some homework before meeting in public places. It may be unsafe for a male student to suggest that a female student meet him in a bar. It may be unacceptable in the local culture for a female to go to a bar or other public place unaccompanied.
Students can learn a lot by observing how the local women protect themselves. For example, in most Third World countries, women commonly walk arm in arm, or holding hands. Couples frequently do not hold hands, since public displays of affection are improper in many places.
Watch how local women avoid the attentions of men. You may notice that they walk arm in arm, with their heads together, constantly laughing and deep in conversation with each other. This is not just an expression of their personalities; it is their protection from the intrusions of men. If a strange man says something to them, they will most often ignore him.