Safety Tips from the NYPD

(with our amendments in red)

Coming home late at night:

  1. Avoid shortcuts that are not well traveled or well lit
  2. Know what stores are open in your neighborhood late at night.   If you suspect you are being followed stay away from lonely blocks (if you know which ones are lonely!) and head for the store you know to be open- if it's a bar, do not hesitate to go in.   (soon your neighborhood will have several places that are official nyc-safestreets haven)
  3. If someone drops you off at home by auto, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside
  4. If a motorist bothers you while you are walking turn around and walk in the opposite direction of the car.   Do this as often as necessary and he should get discourage

At home you should:

  1. Have your key ready before you get to the front door
  2. If you live in an apartment don't be polite and hold the lobby door open for a stranger who has been waiting (we know it seems rude to close the door in a someone's face but take care of yourself and be polite some other time)
  3. Don't buzz someone outside unless you know them
  4. If you arrive home and find your door open Don't Go Inside!   Call the police and ask them to meet you
  5. Don't get into the elevator with a stranger if you your own good judgment warns you against it (like, he seems odd, I feel strange, I'm at Macy's in the back of the store, isolated, etc.)

If you are a victim of a rape: (this is fairly antiquated)

  1. Report crime immediately to Police. Call 911 (call a rape crisis hotline too! 212-227-3000 Safe Horizon, RAINN 800-656-HOPE)
  2. Do not wash or douche (Douche!? Who douches these days?)
  3. Have a medical exam and internal gynecological exam as soon as possible accompanied by a police officer preferably (some hospitals are joined with an advocate program, like Woodhull Hospital 760 Broadway, Brooklyn 718-963-8000)
    1. (Make sure you feel safe) Inform your doctor of exact acts committed upon you and have him (or her, preferably) note any medical evidence of them
    2. Semen smears must be taken by doctor
    3. Doctor should note any bruises or injuries
    4. Have the doctor test for venereal disease (and pregnancy! And get started on an AZT program)
  4. Inform the police of all details of the attack (we can only hope that you'll have an advocate and female officer by your side, and they'll be sensitive and understanding that you are in a state of shock and trauma). Remember what he said and how he said it might lead to his arrest (maybe with a friend or someone you trust you can try writing out the details together)
  5. Show police any bruises or injuries.   Also show them to a friend or relative who might be available as a corroborative witness at the trial (you can also document with a camera)
  6. Give the undergarments to police and any torn or stained clothing
  7. When calm make note of the events of the attack (do this with a friend, advocate or someone you trust, this can be re-traumatizing)

<< Back to Resources