A Woman's Need to Feel Safe

The news stories that hit the papers of late has been more gory than usual, with the most shocking being abduction, rape and murder of Canny Ong.

She was abducted at a place which I frequent often, mainly for its perceived safety compared to other shopping complexes. Bangsar Shopping Complex is small, and without most of the chains that brings the crowds to typical shopping haunts. Most customers either live nearby or have an affinity to Cold Storage or a host of other specialist shops that reside in the complex. Personally, I go there to avoid the crowds.

During my uni days, I took a keen interest in personal protection, mainly because on-campus safety is something we couldn't take for granted. We have late sessions at the library, the lab, the cafeteria etc. We don't have the support structure to always have someone escort us home. And being young, most of the time, we prefer to go back and forth on our own, rather than depend on others. Hence, I invested in those blaring sirens, the pepper spray and some free lessons from a friendly Aikido expert. Thank God I never had to use any of them, but having those things handy when I find myself walking on a dark street helped keep my nerves in control, and my mind alert.

Nevertheless, I guess we didn't have to worry that much then. Most campuses had emergency phones that linked up to security offices. I was helped a couple of times when I couldn't find the exit by guards patrolling the area. The presence of closed circuit cameras help too. Either way, wherever I went, most of the time, I knew someone was watching.

Back home, I took security for granted. Things seemed safer. Of course, you hear about the handbag snatches, but I never really worried about psycho-killers. If anything, my idea of personal defence was give the handbag and run.

In hindsight, taking things for granted probably made me a very attractive target to criminals. I have to thank my lucky stars that nothing bad has happened to me since I came back, with the exception of those accidents. But with the latest tragedy, one that happened too close to 'home' - I can't help but worry about my own safety and the safety of my sisters, my step-mum, my aunts - all women who independently venture out of their homes every day to go about their lives.

Those sirens and pepper sprays are apparently illegal now (can someone confirm this?) - probably because in the wrong hands, it can be used to victimise instead of protect. However, I found other things I can do to take control of my own safety.

To Canny's family and friends, I would like to extend my condolences to the tragedy that has befallen your loved one.

Posted by Najah Nasseri at 2003年06月25日 20:02 | TrackBack