1. Never get into a car with someone you do not know.
2. Do not accept gifts from a person you do not know.
3. Never open your front door to people you do not know.
4. Tell an adult where you are going and when you will return.
5. Your body is private you have the right to say no!
6. Know your full name(s), your parent’s names and phone number(s), and your address(es).
7. Tell your parents about things that make you feel scared, uncomfortable, or sad.
8. Know the difference between a good secret and a bad secret. A good secret is fun to keep, such as a surprise party. A bad secret feels bad to keep and makes you feel scared.
9. Strangers: Never tell strangers your name(s) or where you live.
10. Buddy system: Use the buddy system and avoid walking or playing alone outside or in public places.
11. Scream: “No!” Run and tell. Screaming and running are better safety ideas than trying to hide. If a stranger approaches you, scream: “No!” Run to where there are safe adults and tell an adult what happened.
12. Safe distance: Keep a safe distance (approximately three arm lengths) from strangers and strangers’ cars, even if a stranger seems friendly. Run in the direction opposite to the direction in which the stranger’s car is traveling.
13. Fight back: It is okay to scream and fight. Do anything to get the stranger to let go. Screaming is the most important thing you can do, especially screaming: “No!” “Help!” or “Danger!” to get an adult’s attention.
14. Home safety: Keep all the doors and windows locked when you are at home alone. Go to a neighbor and call 10111 if a window is broken or if the door is open when you get home.
15. Doorbell safety: Answer the door by asking: “Who is it?” Never say that you are alone and never open the door when you are alone unless it is someone your parents told you to expect and let him/her/them in.
16. Phone safety: Never say that you are alone when a stranger calls. You can say, “Mom/Dad cannot come to the phone now. Can I take a message?”

What is bullying?

Bullying is repeated aggressive behaviour that can be physical or verbal.

• You are made to feel hurt, angry, afraid, helpless, hopeless, isolated, ashamed and even guilty that the bullying is somehow your fault. You may even feel suicidal.
• Your physical health is likely to suffer and you are at a greater risk of developing mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety or low self-esteem.

Types of bullying
Physical bullying includes the following:

• Hitting, kicking or pushing someone, or even threatening to do it
• Stealing, hiding or ruining someone’s things
• Hazing, harassing or humiliating someone
• Making someone do things he or she does not want to do.

Verbal bullying includes the following:

• Name-calling
• Teasing, taunting
• Refusing to talk to someone
• Excluding someone from groups or activities
• Spreading lies or rumours about someone
• Insulting or otherwise verbally abusing someone.

You can also read about cyberbullying here.

If you are being bullied, remember –

• not to blame yourself. It is not your fault. No matter what someone says or does, you should not be ashamed of who you are or what you feel.
• to be proud of who you are. Despite what a bully says, there are many wonderful things about you. Keep those in mind instead of the things you hear from bullies.
• to get help. Talk to a parent, teacher, counsellor or other trusted adult. Seeing a counsellor does not mean that there is something wrong with you.

Tips for dealing with a bully and overcoming bullying

There is no solution to bullying or best way to handle a bully. It may take a variety of different responses to find the strategy that works best for your situation. To defeat a bully, you need to retain your self-control and preserve your sense of self.

• Walk away from the bully. Bullies want to know that they have control over your emotions, so do not react with anger or retaliate with physical force. If you walk away, ignore them or calmly and assertively tell them that you are not interested in what they have to say. In this way, you are demonstrating that they do not have control over you.
• Report the bullying to a trusted adult. If you do not report threats and assaults, a bully will often become more and more aggressive. In many cases, adults can find ways to help with the problem without letting the bully know that it was you who reported them.
• Repeat as necessary. In the same way as the bully, you may have to be relentless. Report each and every bullying incident until it stops.
• Find support from those who do not bully. Having trusted people you can turn to for encouragement and support will boost your resilience when being bullied. Reach out to connect with family and real friends. There are plenty of people who will love and appreciate you for who you are.

Spot the warning signs that a child or teen is being bullied

If a child is being bullied, it may not be obvious to a parent or teacher. For example, most bullying occurs away from adults, when children are alone at school or on their way home from school. Bullies tend to be adept at hiding their behavior from adults and bullying victims will often cover up evidence, because of a sense of shame at being victimized. The following warning signs may indicate that your child is being bullied:

• Your child appears worried, angry and moody.
• Your child may experience nightmares more frequently.
• Physical complaints increase and your child avoids explaining physical injuries.
• Withdrawal from friends and activities that they used to enjoy.

Take steps to stop bullying

• Talk to children about bullying. Merely talking about the problem can be a huge stress reliever for someone who is being bullied. Be supportive and listen to a child’s feelings without judgement, criticism or blame.
• Find help for a child who is afraid of a bully. Make sure that other teachers, friends and counsellors know that the child is being bullied. No child should have to deal with bullying alone.
• Report the incidents to the relevant authorities.

• You have the right to say NO.
• No one has the right to force you into sexual activity, no matter what your relationship with this person is.
• This means no-one can force you to have sex, or to touch you in a sexual way without your consent, or force you to perform sexual activities you find unpleasant or humiliating.
• Be open with your parents, female schoolteacher or your friend if you came across or were made to, or asked to have sexual intercourse with a man without your consent.
• Never hitch-hike.
• Do not walk alone at night.
• Do not accept an offer from anybody.
• Remember it is not your fault if you are sexually assaulted.
• Do not allow anyone to touch you in a way that makes you uncomfortable.
• Be firm and clear and say NO! You have the right to do so.
• Do not leave a party or social event with someone you do not know or have just met.
• At social events, do not leave your cold drinks or drinks unattended.
• Ask friends to help you if you say NO!

• Parents should always take heed of the following
  • Children must know their full name(s), age(s), telephone number(s) and address(es).
  • Children must know how to contact you, the SAPS or another close relative in an emergency.
  • When children are alone at home, they should tell people who phone that you are there, but that you are busy and cannot come to the phone. The person who is phoning, can phone back later. Teach your child to end any telephone calls with strangers immediately and hang up the telephone if he/she continues to talk.
  • When children are at home alone, they should find out the identity of the person who comes to the door, without opening the door. If a stranger is at the door, teach your children to tell the stranger that you are busy and that he/she should go away and come back later. Teach your child not to engage in conversation with the visitor. If the child feels threatened, teach him/her to phone an emergency number. Emergency numbers could be your telephone number at work, that of the police or a trusted neighbour who will be at home.
  • If it is at all possible, children should play and walk with other children.
  • Children should always ask your permission before accepting gifts from strangers.
  • In order to avoid situations where strangers may approach him/her alone, such as an unsupervised play area, empty lots, abandoned buildings, bushy areas of parks or riverbeds, children should run home or to the nearest public place or a friend’s home if someone is following or frightening him/her/them.
  • Children must know that adults, especially strangers, rarely ask children for help in finding things or for directions. Explain to your child that men and women are strangers.
  • Children must know that if he/she/they become separated from you in a store or shopping mall, he/she/they must go to a store employee or cashier for help immediately.
  • You must know where your children are at all times. Know their friends and be clear with them about the places and homes they may visit.
  • Never leave children unattended in a vehicle, whether it is running or not.
  • Listen to your children. Pay attention if they tell you they do not want to be with someone or go somewhere.
  • Noticewhen anyone shows your child a great deal of attention or begins giving gifts. Ask your child about the person and find out why that person is behaving that way.
  • Teach your children thatthey have the right to refuse any unwelcome, uncomfortable or confusing touch or actions by others and get out of those situations as quickly as possible. If they cannot leave, children should be taught to kick, scream and resist by yelling loudly, “This person is not my father/mother/guardian” and then immediately tell you what happened.
  • Be sensitive to any changes in your children’s behaviour or attitude. Encourage open communication and learn how to be an active listener. If your children tellyou about problems, try to stay calm, be reassuring, and non-judgemental. Work with them to get help to resolve the problem.
  • Practise basic safety skills with your children. Make an outing to a mall or park an educational experience in which your children practise checking with you, going to the bathroom with a friend and finding adults who may be able to help if they need assistance. Do not let your children wear clothing or carry items that bear their names in public. It makes it too easy for a stranger to approach them.
  • Develop code words for anyone you trust to fetch your children and teach your children the words. Tell them not to go with anyone who does not know the code words.

1. Be crime conscious – be aware of crime opportunities at all times!
   • Never walk around alone and don’t talk to strangers. Be on the lookout for strange cars or people.
   • Walk in well-lit busy streets and in a group, if possible.
   • Make sure your home is secure, and become a member of an armed response service. Be sure that you know all the emergency numbers or have them displayed in an accessible area.
   • Always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone. But think twice before advertising your impending absence on social media. Criminals also have access to Facebook and Twitter.
   • Know all emergency numbers.
   • Trust your instinct.
   • Avoid going onto a congested street where you cannot even walk properly, that is where you will find criminals pick pocketing.
   • Avoid displaying valuables where criminals can see them.

Community Policing Forums (CPF) were set up to involve all local stakeholders and key organisations in local policing. They meet regularly with the officers in charge of the local police station and discuss problems and solutions to crime in their area. The adoption of community policing did not only turn around the crime situation, but changed the way the SAPS addresses crime.

For community policing to be successful, it is important for members of the community to realise and accept that they also have a social and moral obligation to assist and support the SAPS in the fight against crime, and other forms of social disorder. With the support and involvement of the community, the police will be in a position to meet the safety and security needs of the country.

Community organisations and development workers have to cooperate with Community Policing Forums to mobilise community support in the fight against crime. This includes:

• Identifying crime hot spots and informing the police about problems
• Reporting any information on wanted suspects and illegal firearms
• Visiting schools with the SAPS to speak to learners and teachers
• Running Meducation and awareness campaigns on the community’s role to fight crime
• Mobilising civil society organisations to become active members of the community police forum
• Supporting the police in crime prevention initiatives
• Monitoring police service delivery
• Providing possible solutions or alternatives to constantly strengthen partnerships and improve service delivery.

Community participation and support in the fight against crime, can save lives.

Fences/Walls

• A high fence around the house with lockable gates, is much safer than a high wall due to the advantage of the improved visibility it provides.
• The primary aim of the fence is to make access/intrusion difficult and to allow dogs to move freely around the house.
• Ensure that your gates are locked at all times and that the keys cannot be reached easily and are not lying around uncontrolled.
• Security gates with sturdy locks in front of each outer door as well as burglar proofing covering all windows, are recommended.The following devices prevent easy access:
• Window bars
• Security doors
• Security gates
• Razor wire
• Additional locking devices on doors
• Strengthening of doors
• Peepholes in the doors
• Safety chains to doors
• Intercom system between the home and gate, front door or garage

Alarm Systems

• An alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective deterrent.
• In the rural environment a siren/alarm on the roof that can be heard over a long distance and that can be activated by means of a switch/panic button in the house, is recommended.
• A few switches/panic buttons in different rooms of the house should preferably be installed.
• An alarm must also have the capability to warn the occupants of any intrusion into the house.Examples of alarm systems:
• Mechanical and/or electrical (purchased types)
• Improvised systems
• Threaded tins
• Threaded pieces of iron
• Gravel on window pains, pathways or around the home
• Obstacles that can make a noise when moved
• • Dogs
  • Geese
  • OstrichesBiological Systems:

Security Lights

• Security lights on the outside of the house improve the physical protection of a house, farm or smallholding.
• The lights must be directed away from the house and must allow the occupants to use the windows without being observed from outside.
• Be aware of possible shadows and blind spots.

Safety Precautions

• Ensure that all doors are locked at all times and that windows are closed when you are not at home.
• Large dogs serve as a deterrent. At least one dog should be trained to sleep inside the house.
• If you leave your residence, inform your family/ neighbours of your intended destination, time you expect to return and the route you will be driving, especially if you reside in a rural area.
• Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks, ladders, etc that can be used in an attack, are locked away when you do not use them.
• Vary your daily routine.
• Get into the habit of not immediately falling asleep after switching off the lights.
• Remain awake for a while.
• You should not be visible in the bedroom from the outside when you are asleep.
• Always keep a torch nearby at night and when you use it, ensure that you do not give away your position.
• If you are unsure about the security status of your home after returning from work/a visit, eg your dogs do not come to the gate, do not enter your home.
• Contact your neighbour to assist you in securing your home.
• Identify relatively safe places of refuge, ie: bathroom, toilet or storeroom.
• The fewer windows and doors these rooms have, the better.
• Involve employees as they are part of the family/team.
• Employees must be involved in maintaining security on an equal footing.
• Report suspicious behaviour and information to the South African Police Service.
• Clear the areas around the gates of bushes and other hiding places.
• Take photographs of all employees.
• It could be to your advantage to identify them, if required.
• Remunerate your employees when useful information is provided that contribute to the prevention of crime.
• Do not employ casual workers without a reference.
• Keep copies of all your employees – Identity Documents (ID’s).
• Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.

Access and Key Control

• Do not allow strangers on your premises or in your house without having properly identifying the person, especially at night.
• Implement proper key control measures.
• Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate/door access can be gained.
• Keys to the safe must be kept on the person.
• Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats.
• Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should be turned to avoid easy removal.
• Never allow strangers to handle keys or look at key numbers.
• Change locks when keys are lost.
• Insert barring devices in door locks.
• Remove keys from doors when leaving.

Communication

• There should be two systems for alternative back up:
• Telephone
• Cellular phone

Have the telephone installed where it is easily accessible from anywhere in the house.

Inform your children not to give an indication that adult supervision is not available when they answer the phone.

Crime Prevention : Safety Tips Safety Awareness in a Vehicle

• Ensure that your vehicle is in a good condition when you plan to go on a journey.
• Ensure that the fuel tank of your vehicle always has sufficient fuel.
• Always lock your vehicles doors and keep the windows closed.
• Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute.
• Avoid to stop at remote places.
• Park your vehicle in places that are well lit.
• If a stranger wants to talk to you while in your vehicle, do not open the window wide -only 5 cm is enough to have a discussion.
• If something seems suspicious, do not talk to strangers, rather be rude and drive away.
• Limit your trips at night or at least take someone along with you.
• Vary the route you travel to work and back, if this is possible.
• If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible or press your hooter to attract attention.
• If strangers loiter near or at your driveway, rather drive past. If they loiter for a long time, report it to your nearest police station.
• Car jackers may stage a minor accident so they can approach your car.
• If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual(s) involved in the situation, drive to the nearest police station for help.
• Do not reach for your purse or valuables. Leave everything behind if forced from the car.
• Your life is more valuable than your possessions.
• Do not resist, especially if the thief has a weapon.
• Give up your vehicle with no questions asked and move away.
• A lift club limits the risk of becoming a victim of crime.
• Do not give strangers a lift.
• A gear lock is an affordable and a very effective anti-theft device.
• If possible, put up a mirror against the front wall of your garage to see if someone is following you into the garage.
• Do not open your garage doors before your gates are closed.

Safety Awareness when Parking/Driving your Vehicle

• Avoid parking your motor vehicle where there are no security officers guarding other cars.
• Do not leave your firearm in the motor vehicles glove compartment (cubbyhole) or anywhere in the vehicle when you park the vehicle (this is against the law!).
• Make sure that all the doors and windows are properly locked when you park your car.
• Valuable items like a laptop and camera should be put in the boot of your car.
• Be aware of people coming to you and informing you that you have a flat tire, the intention can be to steal items that they see inside the car or rob your car.
• Always close your windows when driving in the city centre.
• Do not open your windows for hawkers along the road and at the robots.
• Keep the doors locked and windows closed at all times.
• Do not use a cellular phone unless you have a hands-free kit.
• Lock your valuables in the cars boot before departure.
• At night, park in well-lit areas.
• If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.
• Practice the same prevention skills you apply in parking lots or garages at home.
• Become familiar with your route before you start the trip.
• Get a map of the route and study it.
• Store luggage in the cars boot where it is out of sight.
• Do not leave your goods/valuable items visible in the car.
• Do not leave your handbag/briefcase visible in the car.
• Do not leave your keys in the ignition.
• Always lock the doors and close the windows when getting out of the car.
• Remove detachable radios and the radio=s face when getting out of the car.
• Try to fit an alarm and/or anti-theft device in your car.
• Have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your car, especially if they are difficult to find in your handbag.
• Parking lots with a parking attendant or supervision/ someone patrolling are best, otherwise try to park in locations that are well lit and/or well populated and not crowded by bushes or buildings where offenders might hide.
• Safety awareness when parking/driving your vehicle

Road Safety: Aggressive Driving Behaviour

The followings aspects might trigger aggressive behaviour:

• Following too close to the vehicle in front.
• Passing vehicles on the left.
• Cutting in and out of traffic and failing to signal while engaging in multiple lane changes.
• Crossing safety markings while merging onto ramps.
• Failing to yield at ramps and intersections.
• Violating railroad crossings.
• Displaying or using a weapon.
• Displaying aggressive or obscene gestures.
• Slow-moving traffic in fast lanes, etc

The following hints are applicable:

• • Do not react to provocation.
  • Stay away from erratic drivers.
  • Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver.
  • Use your hooter sparingly.
  • Do not flash your headlights.
  • Do not make obscene gestures.
  • Do not change lanes without using your indicator.
  • Do not drive too close to the vehicle in front of you.
  • Do not block lanes