Safety Tips
Be aware of the culture and customs of the country(s) you are visiting to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Some of these relate particularly to women travellers.
- in some societies if you do not have an obvious protector men may take advantage in the form of hissing, pinching, passing comments, obscene gestures and so on. In these situations do not react. Remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible or go to the nearest police office
- in some societies it is not accepted practice to agree to go out with a man alone and doing so may expose you to the risk of sexual assault
- dress standards vary and in some Islamic countries women may need to cover arms and legs with a coat or gown, while wearing a scarf over their hair; failure to do so could result in harrassment or even arrest
- in South-East Asia you can not enter Buddhist temples or royal palaces in shorts or sleeveless shirts
- shoes are never worn in mosques or Buddhist temples
- don't display expensive jewellery as theft directly from your person is common in some countries
- keep all valuables well concealed
- 'bum bags' can be a target for thieves
- be wary of being alone in lifts as some thieves 'work' high-rise buildings
- don't get into train compartments where you are the only passenger, or stay in one alone
- also be wary of crowded trains and buses which can provide opportunities for harrassment
- try and arrange to arrive in an unfamiliar city during daylight rather than dark
- check that your door is secure (portable inside locking devices are now available from most equipment suppliers) and avoid rooms with easy access from the outside
- call home regularly and tell people about your movements, especially unplanned ones.
Reference
Smartraveller: The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service.