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Attack or threat in the street: how to react

An attack often lasts less than a minute. Nobody reacts perfectly, and that is not what is expected of you: the goal is to get to safety, then to bring help.

If you feel followed or threatened

• Cross to the other side of the street, then change direction: if the person does the same, you know where you stand.
• Head for light and people: an open shop, a bar, a pharmacy, a hotel lobby, a taxi rank. Go in and say that you are being followed.
• Call someone, out loud: an attacker looks for someone who is alone.
• In some bars and nightlife venues, a code word asked for at the counter discreetly signals that you need help.

If you are attacked

• Your belongings are not worth your life: bag, phone, wallet, hand them over if they are demanded with a weapon or blows.
• Shout precise sentences: “Call the police!”, “You, in the red jacket, help me!” A bystander singled out acts far more often than a crowd.
• Run as soon as you can, towards an open, busy place.
• Defending yourself is allowed in many places, but your response should stay proportionate to the attack and immediate.

Calling for help

Call your country’s emergency number (112 in Europe) as soon as you are safe. If speaking would put you in danger, find out whether you can reach the emergency services by text message. Give the place, what happened, the direction the attacker took and a description: height, clothing, distinguishing features.

If you are a witness

Your own safety comes first. Without putting yourself at risk, you can: call the emergency number; create a diversion (ask the victim the time, pretend to know them); ask another bystander for help; film from a distance if it is safe, and give the video to the victim or to the police; then stay with the victim and ask what they need. In many countries, failing to help someone when you could do so without danger is punishable by law.

Afterwards

• Get examined, even with no visible injury: the medical certificate will be useful for your complaint.
• File a complaint at the police station. Write down everything you remember, as soon as possible.
• Keep the evidence: clothing, messages, photos, names of witnesses.
• Get support: a victim support line can help victims, and many countries also have helplines for women who are victims of violence.

More guides

• Which emergency number should you call?
• Getting home alone at night
• An older relative living alone