24 May 2010

Night time safety in Canberra

| local-loner
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I’m a long time Canberra local in my early 20’s and having lived here for a long time I am aware of some of the safer/not so safe etc places. I still look quite young and have had the odd bad experience with strangers over the years but nothing that I couldn’t handle.

I have recently moved from that “university with lots of friends” phase to the “work and not so many friends” stage. My question that I’d like to through out there is how safe is Canberra for a young woman to go out and do things by herself at night? Sure I feel fine going somewhere like the theatre or a movie where there are plenty of crowds moving into the parking lot at the same time but seeing a band that is only on during the week and does not attract so many crowds makes me a bit more uneasy.

Aside from the potential unwanted attention that a female is likely to get at the sort of places that bands might play I also worry that if the wrong person notices I am by myself they might follow me to my car later.

I used to only go out at night with friends but now many have moved away I don’t want to miss seeing a favourite band or something just because I don’t know anyone who also likes them. Am I being silly feeling that this is a little unsafe or is it just that people (male or female) in a city of any size should not wander around by themselves at night?

Where is the line between feeling safe and actually being safe and knowing when your judgement is right? Alternatively should I just worry less about strangers and be happy to go along and chat to people with the same tastes as me?

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noms said :

DBCooper = Dylan Cooper?

No

It’s a reference to Dan Cooper http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Db_cooper

DBCooper = Dylan Cooper?

“POLICE are advising Townsville women to look and act “streetwise” to avoid falling victim to a suspected serial rapist.
With three attacks on women in public places since August last year, police have taken the unusual step of handing out “body language” tips.
Senior Sergeant Janelle Poole said the key was to appear “relaxed and comfortable rather than paranoid, thereby making you appear streetwise”.
“Be aware of what is happening around you by continuously surveying your surroundings. This will allow you to identify threats before they reach you, giving you the opportunity to remove yourself from the situation,” Sen-Sgt Poole said.”
(http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/police-warn-women-act-streetwise-to-avoid-serial-rapist/story-e6freon6-1225852906140)

lol this shit would be funny if it wasn’t scary. In essence her tip was if you do get raped it’s your fault, we might as well blame the victims as the Australian government doesn’t allow women to defend themselves even with non-lethals ie OC spray.

Australian politicians should be f**king ashamed of themselves. With pepper spray, stunguns, tasers, banned Australian women, the elderly and handicapped individuals especially have no right or means to defend themselves against violent criminals and rapists. Easy pickins.

This policy discriminates against people in wheelchairs. Recent events highlight the fact that their are sick bastards shameless enough to attack and or rape disabled people. Without the ability to escape their attackers and unable to project as many “streetwise appearing” non verbal cues as a standing person the government should permit this most vulnerable segment of our community to employ implements that with the proper training would help alleviate the disparities between the two populations. I don’t think that’s
asking alot?…..maybe not??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=072ib7U-t4U

Anyway end of rant

Some ideas? hmmmmmmm Weapons are only as good as your ability to employ them in the most destructive manner without hesitation,warning or concern for the life of the individual attacking you. If you have any reservations about using them to kill or expect people to automatically cringe in fear upon the realization that you are armed and less of a pushover?lol, Weapons are not for you.Stay away fom them.

Threats are meaningless. A weapon unused is a useless weapon. That being said…

some ideas to look into?

The “Predator” (Warrior monk style lol)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g7Brro1ydo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNUShq9Rgjc&feature=related

http://www.pdws.biz/

“self defense “ style flashlights

http://www.surefire.com/E2D-Executive-Defender

Pens

http://www.amazon.com/Benchmade-Aluminum-Writing-Point-Cartridge/dp/B0016OLCWE

An umbrella that won’t break in case you are forced to crack someone’s head open with it.

http://www.real-self-defense.com/unbreakable_umbrella.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO8G5zsQohg

Belt aren’t banned yet?………yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pKxD6Ecl9Q

(Home)
Keep a can of wasp spray(the kind that shoots 20ft) in you house or your car it works on people too!. Without the ability to posses effective weapons the law abiding citizen is forced to be creative. For psychological effect alone(but don’t ever display a weapon you would hesitate to use) a reliable chainsaw could come in handy. If you hear people breaking in even if you are upstairs at the very least the sound of your chainsaw reving would be at the least unsettling. Who knows they might have sense enough to shoot you, these are the risks one takes? A small mason jar
(labeled otherwise) halfway filled with petrol located near your safe (it’s the poorman’s gun in the safe lol) affords a surprise method of offsetting an attacker in your home. Recent studies indicate that throwing a liberal amount of petrol in someones face and or about their person even if you don’t light it,instantly generates a sudden urge to change venue and an intense desire to avoid people……especially smokers. Wait that sounds like a good way to accidentally burn you house down?……oh who cares? at least they won’t be able to steal the charred ashes of your belongings.

On a serious note if your chainsaw didn’t start and you weren’t able to throw gasoline in his face lol. Capitulate to his demands……..right after you go to the bathroom indicate that you crapped your pant’s (less chance of him accompanying you than if you say you need to throw up?) even if this is the case many overlook the toilet tank lid as a potential blunt impact weapon. It’s shitty that we would even have to have this discussion. Women deserve effective self defense implements not bullshit body language tips.

One thing is for certain if anybody ever breaks into Château Cooper I plan on pissing
in my pant’s while simultaneously initiating a hysterical running jump in the hopes of gaining sufficient velocity in order to propel myself clear over my balcony only to comfortably land on a soft patch of concrete in my neighbors front yard three stories below. Choose your battles?

Canberra’s pretty safe if you ask me hopefully it won’t come to that ; ) Stay Safe!

I find Canberra safe at night, but I guess most residents would say their own suburb / surrounding area was safe.

Some basic self defence is always a handy thing to have. Krav Maga Canberra (full disclosure, I am a regular) offer intro courses that cover more than just the physical contact aspects eg. being aware of your surroundings, where/when attacks are likely to happen, how to spot/avoid potential situations and how to deal with problems/threats if they do occur.

My wife attended the introduction and a knife defence courses and got a lot of practical and useful experience in a short amount of time.

End spiel.

*In Canberra, that should be. Not in camera. Of course.

I have been in your situation many a time – I’m a 22-year-old girl, always attending gigs. I’m also a live music photographer, so before/after gigs, I often have lots of expensive camera gear on me, which certainly would make me more of a target.

That said, I have never had a problem in the four or five years I’ve been attending gigs in camera. Be alert, of course, but walk confidently and you should be fine.

I don’t quite understand what you mean about ‘the sorts of places bands play’. Honestly? I’ve been hassled much more near nightclubs and (heavy) drinking spots than I have at live music venues. If anything, they’re safer than the average place you might go at night. I do get your concern, but I don’t think you should be overly worried.

Stay away from dark, confined areas, where the offender can either hide or excape from I would say. Stick to well lit areas, and dont look over defensive! One would have thought that a family concentrated area such as Lanyon Valley (as an example) would be a safe place to walk, but in my neighbourhood in the last year there has been a daylight kidnapping of a woman,rapes, several bashings of males in underpasses and child abductors from School grounds in broad daylight. So yes, be awares of the environment you are in, and be alert. As a male, when I am in environments that I dont feel 100% safe, I have my keys in my hand, should I have to use them as a means of warding off or a weapon for self defence. Should you need to defend yourself, I was taught in Protective Services, that is better to warn the preditor that you will use force to protect yourself, should they keep coming at you, assuming you have already tried to retreat and/or warned them off.

Davo111 said :

Just common sense mainly, just dont walk in dark/isolated places by yourself.

Always take a friend (preferably one that cant run as fast as you) IE:EG “A Decoy”

I’m with VG about the hockey stick. Expect that one day someone will simply take it off you and stuff it up your own bum.

OT – Canberra is safe as long as you are not doing stupid stuff like getting blind drunk and passing out in alleys or parks. As for meeting people plenty of options given but also team social sports – often you can put your name down as a single and they will find a team for you to join.

Well lit places with lots of people will normally keep you reasonably safe. Dark alleys and parks are a no-no, even for most males.

johnboy said :

I think in the long term finding some more friends is a good idea.

And to do that you’ll need to get out at night.

Yes to the first bit, to the second -no.

Canberra has so many special interest groups it’s ridiculous. Join one. From hunting, embroidery, 4wd’ing public speaking to landcare and everything in between … there’s always a bunch of like minded folks about.

You meet up with them at night in the boozer after you become friends.

Yeah not sure about how I would get a hockey stick into any venue but thanks for all the other suggestions. I’ve actually been hassled before but only in daylight funnily enough. Usually in places like bus interchanges in peak hour when you can just walk away and once as a teenager waiting for my mum outside a supermarket when a guy in his twenties didn’t seem to understand that if I was too young to legally go out for a drink with him then I was also to young to be his friend… thankfully someone I knew turned up quite soon after because I didn’t have anywhere to walk to on that occasion.

Given that even Norfolk Island isn’t immune to predations anymore, common sense seems to be the way to go.

noms said :

vg said :

If you carry a hockey stick around with you add your name to the dickheads ‘looking for trouble’. How, exactly, do you use this stick for protection?

Well first I would shove it up your a55hole to make a statement, then the self-defence mechanism will be self explanatory.

gee Noms, hope u dont have a record………

vg said :

If you carry a hockey stick around with you add your name to the dickheads ‘looking for trouble’. How, exactly, do you use this stick for protection?

Well first I would shove it up your a55hole to make a statement, then the self-defence mechanism will be self explanatory.

One other thing to note: If you’re alone, watch your drink!

Consider not touching alcohol while you’re on your own, even if you’re with “a friend of a friend” as you might not have the full story about just how friendly your friend is with this person. You don’t want to have a glass of champagne, think you’re making a new friend and let your guard down only to get a roofie in your glass.

Order your drink at the bar and watch them pour it. Don’t think your drink is less likely to be spiked just because you’re somewhere “nice,” those places have customers that can more easily afford drugs to drop in other people’s glasses.

CanberraCreative2:27 pm 24 May 10

If you’re going to be walking quite a long way when it’s late, best to invest in a tactical flashlight. These are specially designed to have a broad outer beam to help you find your way and a highly focused inner beam that can blind someone for a couple of minutes, particularly in pulse mode. I use a Pelican 7060 LED which was designed for the LAPD. Can light up Regatta Point from the National Library! More importantly, can illuminate a whole carpark late at night.
More reasonable option though is a compact Surefire brand one for about $50 online.

If your just around the city or other nightspots, just follow the normal rules. Walk with purpose, don’t respond to craxy hobos asking for money and stay away from trouble that’s brewing. Yes bad stuff happens but most of us get by just fine.

georgesgenitals1:42 pm 24 May 10

I must be boring. I go out at night periodically and have never had any issues.

Another useful item that may bring you some peace of mind is one of those small personal alarms. They are a small aerosol can with a spray can-type button on top that emits a god almighty sound. Great to scare off unwanted attention or even more effective in their ear if they get too close.

Buy the biggest Mag-Lite you can get. There are no regulations pertaining to carrying a torch in the A.C.T, (other than it being a B&E tool). I have been told that by Federal Police officers.

Buy an axe handle from Kmart with the price sticker still on it and maybe a few other things. You can carry it under the impression that you have just bought it and are in the process of taking it home. Reciepts that are in date would help.

Nothing like a good piece of hickory, Gives Emo’s something to really cry about.

Thank you 24hr kmart shopping.

noms said :

On a slightly different note when I do solo night photography I always carry a hockey stick for protection. There are lots of drunk d1ckheads around at night in Canberra looking for trouble. Be wary of being by yourself after public events where lots of people gather.

My 1991 liberty car bonnet was dented several times while I was taking pics near Reconciliation place at 11:30pm on skyfire 2010 night and I never saw who did it. I did see several teens walking down the road shortly after, and another (topless) devo looking guy walking further ahead with a female accomplice. What would you have done in my situation?

If you carry a hockey stick around with you add your name to the dickheads ‘looking for trouble’.

How, exactly, do you use this stick for protection?

The more vulnerable you look the more vulnerable you will be. Walk with confidence as if you would if you felt safe, with company. Don’t walk slow or nervously looking over your shoulder etc. Don’t respond to anyone trying to get your attention or call you over.
I have frequently attended local events alone and never had a problem. I also regularly go jogging alone in streets well after dark. However, I am a slightly older male who is blessed with a body shape that looks like he can easily defend himself so I know that is in my favour.

Buy a mini-maglite (the 2x AA kind) and keep it with you to light up dark paths and help reassure yourself that there is nothing lurking in the bushes.

My friends don’t let me go to my car on my own after 10pm in Manuka if my car is out of eyeshot. I think the general rule is that you’re safe as long as there is a big crowd of people outside which is generally the case in Civic, Lyneham and Kingston but you have to use judgement on the specific area.

I think you meet some lovely people in Kingston, they tend to be a slightly older crowd with very open energy, plenty of extroverted young professionals and blow-ins like yourself, and once you meet some new friends you can arrange to meet them at other quieter places.

The university can still be a source of meeting new people, postgrads and academics like to join clubs and meet interesting people and many university clubs are open to the public. I met my main group of post-university friends through a postgrad I met at an ANU movie night and just by meeting friends of friends after that, most of whom are business people or professionals.

Anywhere that’s not Civic on Friday night is relatively safe in Canberra. Tilleys or The Front in Lyneham seem nice to me!

Down Tuggeranong way we’ve got a higher proportion of feral teenagers, and I don’t know about any nightclubs down here. It’s been a long time since getting drunk and arguing with strangers has held any interest for me.

On a slightly different note when I do solo night photography I always carry a hockey stick for protection. There are lots of drunk d1ckheads around at night in Canberra looking for trouble. Be wary of being by yourself after public events where lots of people gather.

My 1991 liberty car bonnet was dented several times while I was taking pics near Reconciliation place at 11:30pm on skyfire 2010 night and I never saw who did it. I did see several teens walking down the road shortly after, and another (topless) devo looking guy walking further ahead with a female accomplice. What would you have done in my situation?

Just common sense mainly, just dont walk in dark/isolated places by yourself.

Yes there are unsavory people in Canberra, there are unsafe places to go as well.

I think in these instances common sense would most probably be your friend.

Don’t go walking through Glebe Park, Turner ovals, Jerilderee Court, Bega Flats, Illawarra Court or anywhere else that is dark by yourself. Even the back alley’s around the city are a no go for a young chick who’s by herself.

If you are out in town, or Kingston and you feel unsafe for any particular reason and want to go to your car, if Mr Plod is around they should be all good with walking you to your car.

While there are “random” attacks around they are normally in areas that people really should have avoided. Plus there really isn’t that many that do happen around…

Ohh and don’t hang around the Duntroon Married Quarters, apparently you will run into a stalker out there…

I think in the long term finding some more friends is a good idea.

And to do that you’ll need to get out at night.

Bars like The Front in Lyneham you can park within eyeshot of the bar. Trivia nights at Transit, the Phoenix, or even PJ’s in Civic… Join the Canberra Musicians Club.

Those are the things I’d do if I was trying to establish a friendship group in this town from scratch.

I’d be interested in what other women think, but as long as you can park near the bar I think you’re still reasonably safe.

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