If you experience robbery while abroad, throw your valuables away from you and run. To prevent robbery, do not display large sums of money or valuables more than necessary. Report robberies to university officials and local police. Proceed to cancel all stolen credit or debit cards and seek help from the local U.S. Embassy for stolen passports. If you are injured during the robbery, seek medical treatment.
Sexual Assault
If you are sexually assaulted or harassed, find a safe place to contact trusted friends, classmates, or teachers to help you get to a safe place or deal with what happened. If you need medical treatment, do so right away.
If you decide to report the incident, make sure you have legal standing as a visitor in your country. Also, determine if you want to report it to your University or host country. It is important to remember that you do not have to report anything if you do not want to.
If something like this occurs, know it is NOT your fault. It can happen to anyone, anywhere. To prevent sexual assault and harassment, stay in groups, especially at night. Contact trusted friends, professors, or classmates if you need help. Seek medical attention if necessary and remember, it is your choice on how to handle the situation.
Kidnapping
Kidnapping is very uncommon for tourists. Make sure you travel in groups and that people you are not with know your whereabouts. Be cognizant of your surroundings and wary about new people you meet.
As a precaution, follow social media reports about your destination. They commonly have real-time information that may be useful. Be vigilant in areas that attract large amounts of people — especially around religious or local holidays — and minimize your time in public transportation areas.
If you are faced with a terrorist situation, remember these things:
– If you hear gunshots, look for the safest route where you can run. Leave your belongings behind, do not take extra time to gather them.
– Encourage others to run to safety if possible, but do not let their indecision slow you down.
– If you cannot run, look for somewhere to hide.
– Only call the police once you have made it to somewhere safe. When the police arrive, do everything they say once they directly engage with you. Do NOT get in their way before it is safe to do so.
Keeping up with the local news and staying informed will help you avoid these kinds of situations. You can also contact the local embassy and request regular updates on different situations.
In the event of a protest or riot, you should do everything you can to avoid them and avoid going near that area alone. You do not want to find yourself being dragged into civil unrest or injured as a bystander.
If you happen to find yourself in a protest, stay on the outer edge of crowds and try to break away into a nearby building as soon as possible. In the event you are arrested, do not resist. Never drive through a protest. Finally, always remain calm.
If you happen to find yourself in a riot, and you are pushed to the ground, roll to a wall and stay in a tight ball, protecting your head, until the crowd passes. Stay calm and avoid standing out. Avoid glass store fronts.
Do not be a hero. Always protect yourself and stay safe. The best thing you can do is avoid these situations.
