Written by Nicholas Bryant
This article was written from personal experience. At the end, I have inserted links which you or someone you know may find helpful.
Night time should be a time of celebration, escapism and socialising, especially for a university student. However, crime and acts of cruelty are still happening around us. This unfortunately happens frequently in Portsmouth.
Recently, posters have appeared around the city to raise awareness about the unsafety of the streets of Portsmouth. It is reassuring to know that the issue is being acknowledged, and that people have decided to fight against the unnecessary risks that come from being out at night. You can visit the Violence Against Women and Girls website for more information.
“It should be safe, not brave to walk home alone”- found in Guildhall Square. Photographed by Nicholas Bryant.
“Portsmouth's most dangerous streets”- found on Guildhall Walk. Photographed by Nicholas Bryant.
Women wear what they want to express themselves how they want, just as men do the same. For both sexes, the way we are dressed does not automatically invite other people to touch us, unless we make it clear that this is what we want.
Recently, while I was walking behind two of my female friends, a man aggressively made loud wolf howls with a wolf posture directed at them. This drunk man got gratification from his friends, whilst my friends were humiliated and scared, unable to do anything about it without causing further unwanted attention.
Catcalling is not acceptable; although this should be clear, it is objectifying and offensive. This, including minor interactions, can have many short and long-term effects: including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and panic attacks, insomnia, and depression
As a former volunteer police cadet of three years, we covered the dangerous areas of the streets, from knife crime to drug usage- and the methods used by the services to tackle an emergency. This allows us to spread the information to extensive areas around the UK.
Here are a list of ways you or a friend can improve your safety:
Help points - At train stations, there are large help points to be used in an emergency. They call the attention of the nearby camera(s) and can call the services if necessary.
Cameras - Cameras are everywhere, and many are not as easy to see. Make a mental note of the cameras in the area as a precaution, as police can interview potential witnesses and oversee any footage that can help with an investigation.
Avoid travelling alone - Sounds simple, but an extra person can help with passive comfort and provide additional assistance in an emergency. An alternative is to phone a friend or family member until you get home safely. If no one is available, you may be able to fake a phone call. You can also use your camera to either record a situation or as a mirror to check behind you.
Official tracking software - Many devices can be used to track someone’s whereabouts. From your phone to the smartwatch around your wrist, there is always something to assist you in an emergency. Apps such as Whatsapp, Snapchat and now even Uber have features which let you share your location with a friend, to help ease your mind.
iPhone help button mechanism - If you hold the volume button and the power button on a recent iPhone for 3 seconds, it will come up with an emergency slider. For iPhone models 7 and under, press the power button 5 times to initiate the emergency process. The following statement is taken from the official Apple Website: “After the call ends, your iPhone sends your emergency contacts a text message with your current location, unless you choose to cancel. If Location Services is off, it will temporarily turn on. If your location changes, your contacts will get an update, and you'll get a notification about 10 minutes later.”
iPhone ‘back-tap’ - Not many people know this function, but it can be used in certain situations. This function turns the Apple logo on the back of a phone into a shortcut button and can carry out functions such as creating template texts for people and calling people. It is not advertised often, but this can be used to discreetly send a prewritten message to emergency contact.
Android emergency functions - Each android has an emergency call button. According to the Android help page, “If you're in an emergency situation, you can use your phone to trigger emergency actions like calling for help, alerting your contacts of your location and recording video”.
Rape whistles/your voice - A rape whistle is easily distinguishable, especially at nighttime when there is reduced noise. Directing noise towards potentially active/occupied houses may help. This is not specific to sexual assault and may also be effective in other emergencies.
Covering drinks - It is a shame that this has become more frequent in clubs, and should not be a problem that exists. However many friends will look out for their mates by covering their glasses or keeping their drinks in sight at all times. Clubs have become more aware and have put further measures to tackle this situation- for example, The Deco in Southsea has a poster which highlights the drinks' safety, and the staff put coasters on top of the glasses to ensure they have remained untouched. Online, Drinkaware indicates when a drink has been spiked and how to treat it.
Don’t talk to strangers, and be wary of catfishing - Be aware of the verified symbol of dating apps that shows people who they say they are. Uber has also started sharing pictures and details of their staff members to ensure a passenger enters the correct vehicle.
Wellbeing Resources
If you are affected by any of the issues discussed or know someone who you know is, help can be found below:
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - Helpline number: 0800 58 58 58
Samaritans - 24/7, 365 days a year. Helpline number:116 123
Switchboard - A resource for those of the LGBTQ+ community. Helpline number: 0300 330 0630
Papyrus HOPELINEUK - For those with suicidal thoughts or those who know of people with them. Helpline number: 0800 068 4141
Refuge - A helpline specialising in domestic abuse/violence for women and children. Helpline number: 0808 2000 247
MeToo app - a safe and anonymous app that allows you to read other people’s issues and provide advice and support. You can also post your own thoughts or issues to receive advice/support or see that you are not alone.
WhatsUp App / Wellbeing Service - The Wellbeing Service provides help through direct contact or more anonymous communication through the WhatsUp app. This allows you to write down your thoughts, track your mood throughout the day, and provide an anonymous communication link with a well-being officer. Another helpful function is the SOS button, which gives you a choice between emergency counselling through either verbal communication or text to suit any situation. I have used both functions, and The Samaritans (the company that the SOS call function can lead to) have provided a non-judgemental ear while also lending a soft-spoken and friendly company. The app can be found on both Apple and Android devices.
111 - A very useful helpline that allows instant communication with an officer specialising in the medical profession. From personal experience, after calling them at 1 pm for a non-crucial medical problem, she allowed me to get medical attention the next day.
I want to share the importance of discussing what is happening in your mind. The mind can be as unsafe as the streets, but it can also be as beautiful. From personal experience, during my first time using the chat function, they put me in touch with the services needed to assess my head and get me the help I needed to succeed. I have used the SOS function a few times out of distress, but the first time, I used the SOS call function at around 3am when many help services were not available. Instead, unexpectedly, a lovely woman with a fitting name, Sunny, picked up the phone and spoke to me for around 45 minutes, which really helped. It did not occur to me until she told me that she was Canadian, that she was in a different time zone. Despite my call being around 15 minutes over the average call, she said it was perfectly fine… This was almost two years ago, and I still appreciate all the time she had for me.
About The Author: Nicholas Bryant
I am a 23-year-old and 3rd-year media studies student. The main things in my life are my dogs (besides friends and family). My hobbies include helping others, playing video games, watching
movies, telling jokes and making friends (and telling more jokes). My best trait is I am always happy to spam dog pics to someone until they no longer feel sad. I have a surprising amount of energy at the weirdest of times but use it to make people laugh.
(This piece was edited by Amber Turner-Brightman)
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