Warning To All Women - Don't Be A Statistic

[Lace Neil Singer]

In 2005, 797 people rang the Roofie Foundation to report drug rape - and over 90% were women. Don't be one of them; be safe, be careful and be sensible when you go out.

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Pubs, Clubs & Parties:

* Know your limit. If you feel too drunk too quickly, you are at risk. If a friend looks like she's in a bad way, never leave her alone.

* Never accept a drink from a stranger - it could be spiked. If someone offers to buy you a drink, go to the bar with them and take the drink directly from the bar staff.

* Don't leave drinks unattended. Choose carefully - a bottled beer or alcopop is harder to spike than a glass of vodka and coke. Avoid punchbowls or jugs of drink.

* If your drink looks or tastes suspicious, don't drink it. Remember though, that date rape drugs can be colourless, odourless and tasteless. If you do leave a drink on the bar and come back to it, don't drink it. Order yourself a fresh one instead.

* Remember, all drinks can be tampered with, even water, tea and coffee, and soft drinks.

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Using Taxis:

* Plan how to get home before you go out. Share a cab with a friend and get out together, if possible.

* Don't hail cabs. Keep the number of a reputable taxi firm on your mobile phone. When you book, ask for the driver's name, and the make and colour of his car.

* Take black cabs or licenced minicabs - these are approved by the local authority or police and have identity numbers.

* When the cab arrives, ask the driver his name and company, who he is collecting, and what address he's expecting to go to. If he can't answer, then don't get in.

* Always look for the taxi sign on a minicab. Even if a car looks exactly like a taxi but without the sign, then don't take it. Most taxis have the name and number of their firms accross their cars. Prefer these firms over those with plain cars.

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PASS THIS ON TO ALL WOMEN YOU KNOW - YOU COULD SAVE A FRIEND FROM RAPE OR WORSE

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[BusBus]

Thanks for sharing these with us ladies. It's a good reminder for us all.

[RogueOne]

Also: make sure someone knows where you are and an approximate return time.

Take a trusted friend with you.

[HYHYBT]

One quick question... "black cabs"? Why does the color matter?

[Rapscallion]

The UK taxi system is different to the US one. Only black cabs in London, as far as I am aware, are allowed to pick people up from the streets without a prior appointment. Everywhere else, it's a system of private hire - you need to book the car in advance over the phone. This could be a minute in advance or a day, but a private hire driver is not allowed to just pick someone up from outside a nightclub without them having called the office and arranged for them to meet. Private hire vehicles are never the traditional black cabs you see in films that are shot in London.

It's mostly a safety issue, as far as I'm aware. A guy in a car pulls up outside a nightclub as they're throwing people out and tells a drunken girl that his fare walked off or got a lift, so he's free. Does she need a taxi? Fill in the blanks.

Rapscallion

[HYHYBT]

Oh, that actually makes sense then. Thanks!

[Lace Neil Singer]

Also in America, don't you have yellow cabs as the equivilent to our black cabs? I've seen loads of movies that show people getting into these yellow taxi cabs. Or is that just New York?

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Cabs in the US all seem to be clearly marked. Most in my town are either "Checker" cabs (the yellow ones you see) or "Blue Ribbon" cabs. Both are very clearly cabs. You'd have to be pretty drunk to mistake a regular car for one.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I don't live in an area where you can just hail a cab on the street, but all the cab companies I know of have clearly marked cars and usually that light on the roof.

[MystyGlyttyr]

And a little further note from me...

TAKE A SELF-DEFENSE CLASS.

Now, do NOT be like me and always go on the offensive...far from it. I know damn well that the way I am is the worst way you can act in some dangerous situations. I've had 14 years of very physical training, and the brute strength to charge my way out of most things...but 99% of women and probably a near percentage of men don't. However, you can still learn to fend off a majority of attacks long enough to make your escape and a lot of times, the classes are offered for free at gyms, women's shelters, or the YWCA.

And if you're in a situation you just can't handle, do NOT hesitate to ask for help. If you're afraid, don't worry about how you'll look asking for help...male OR female. Swallow your pride. It's better to be the nervous guy getting ribbed a little at work than to be the dead guy on the front page.

[Posture Moll]

That's great advice, MystyGlyttyr. You're absolutely right that not everyone should always go on the offensive if threatened.

I'd also like to include a link to the best self-defense and violence prevention website I've ever come across: http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/.

Living in a sketchy part of town, the information from that page has gotten me out of several potentially dangerous situations. I recommend that everyone give it at least a quick look.

[HYHYBT]

That depends on where you live. This town only has, I think, two cabs. The one I've been in is a white Taurus, late 90's design, with no light on the roof. It might say "City Cab" in red letters on the door, but I'm not sure about that. Anyway, you have to call them. They don't just drive around and pick people up. And they don't run late at night.

[Acolyte]

Also, keep a friend, preferably a largish one, with a vehicle on speed-dial, who doesn't mind picking you up. No matter how much I hate getting up at horrible hours of the night, I'll still come and get my friends if they need it. Fortunately, I haven't had to use the largish part of my contract, though.

[scorpionf]

Thanks for posting!

When I was in London, and had to get a cab, I always pre-booked one, and never just flagged one down.

And here at home, if I ever get a taxi, I always pre-book one, and never just flag one down. But before I shut the door, I check that the driver matches the ID card in the taxi, if the photo doesn't match the driver, I get out like a flash!

The only times I have ever flagged down taxis, and not pre booked ones, is if I have been overseas, and there is at least 1 other person with me!