While no one can guarantee your safety when you're out and about there are a number of strategies you can use to significantly reduce the risk of violence.

Avoiding violence on the street

If you are walking in the street (especially at night) you can:

• Stay alert. Awareness is your best defence
• Walk with others. Stick close to a friend or a group of ‘safe’ looking people like other gays or lesbians or groups of women
• Keep enough money for a taxi or bus
• Walk in well lit areas
• If you are on a quiet street walk down the middle of the road (mind the cars though!)
• Walk in the opposite direction to the traffic flow to avoid a car pulling up behind you
• Where possible, avoid doorways, bushes etc where an attacker might hide
• Remember that alcohol can make people aggressive and unpredictable

Groups of young men

We know that the vast majority of street-based homophobic violence is perpetrated by groups of young men travelling together. If you see such a group you can:

• Cross the road. Try not to draw attention to yourself
• Avoid making eye contact
• Avoid walking through the middle of the group. Go around them
• Avoid walking between the group and walls etc. Try to ensure you have a clear escape route if you need it

General safety tips

There are a few other strategies you can use to help keep safe. 

• Carry a whistle or personal alarm
• Stay alert for homophobic signals like comments and stares
• Project confidence
• Do a self-defence course
• Have your house or car keys ready before you get to your door so that you aren’t fumbling around
• Know the trouble spots, eg. outside certain pubs, and either avoid them or be extra careful when near them
• We all have a right to show affection in public, but keep in mind that showing affection in public can make it easier to identify you as lesbian or gay
• Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right get away. You may not be right about the situation but it is better to be safe

More info

Contact: ACON's Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project

Tel: (AVP Report-Line) (02) 9206 2116
Free call: 1800 063 060

E-mail: avp@acon.org.au