Today’s security professionals carry immense responsibilities. They are entrusted with safeguarding the public, protecting events and infrastructure, managing hostile individuals, and mitigating the risks of terror attacks. One responsibility that often receives less emphasis, however, is ensuring the safety of women—shielding them from sexual harassment, domestic abuse, stalking, drug-facilitated assaults, ‘drink spiking,’ or any other acts of violence against women.
In this article, I aim to highlight actions that security professionals can and should take to enhance women’s safety and the specific factors they must consider.
Building Trust with Victim Survivors
Firstly, it is essential for all security professionals to understand that many female survivors, particularly of sexual crimes, may not readily come forward to share their experiences of abuse or violence. This reluctance often stems from fear, shame, or the belief that they won’t be taken seriously. In some cases, the perpetrator may be nearby, or the survivor may have been threatened with violence or blackmail, including threats to release images or videos taken during the abuse
When a woman appears seriously intoxicated while her male companion seems sober, then there may well be a perfectly sound explanation such as he might be the designated driver, or he simply abstains from alcohol.
However, I believe it is also worthwhile to consider other more sinister reasons. And to prioritise the female’s safety I urge you to ask yourself a simple question: Can I recall if they arrived together, either by car or on foot? If so, they may know each other, possibly as a couple or close friends.
However, if you can’t recall their arrival together, it could indicate they met at the venue, or even that they are strangers. Due to her level of intoxication, she might be unable to express her distress, communicate her circumstances or realise that the man intends to take her somewhere else, away from her friends. In a worst-case scenario, her drink may have been spiked by that very same man with the intention of sexually assaulting her later.
In such situations, it is vital to take discreet but firm action.
Move the man gently aside and ask if he knows her name. You or a colleague could then confirm this by asking her the same question, gauging if she recognises him. If her answer doesn’t match him, it indicates a potential issue needing your full attention. To further protect her, request her ID before she leaves, explaining your concern for her safety. You might deem a cooperative response from the man as reassuring, whereas reluctance or hostility may signal a need for additional intervention.
If you still feel uneasy, please consider calling paramedics and state that you are doing so to assess her well-being. This step would likely also prompt her official identification and require the man to either cooperate or evade. Such actions will, of course, make it significantly more difficult for a potentially harmful individual to remove her from the scene unnoticed.
Throughout, ensure these interactions occur within CCTV range. Clearly convey to the man that your primary concern is her safety, emphasising your commitment to her welfare and the importance of identifying both parties in case of future reports of negligence, misconduct or any wrongdoing.
It’s of great importance to recognise that many women suffer in silence, never revealing the sometimes-horrific experiences they’ve endured.
I know several female survivors who, even today, have not shared their experiences, not with their best friends, family members, or partners, let alone with the police. This underscores how challenging it is for security professionals to recognise when a criminal offence has occurred and when a woman urgently needs help, especially if she says, “I’m ok.”
In these situations of instances of violence against women, security professionals play a pivotal role in creating and maintaining safe environments. By remaining vigilant and following procedures to protect vulnerable individuals, they help prevent acts of violence and harm. This approach not only safeguards women but also strengthens the overall integrity and trustworthiness of the security profession.
It is important to understand that the responsibility for safety shouldn’t rest on female victims or potential victims. Environments, whether events, concerts, office buildings, shopping centres, or nightlife venues, must actively prioritise women’s safety. It’s time for all security professionals to take this responsibility seriously by protecting victims, engaging with perpetrators, holding them accountable, and promoting awareness of consent and bystander intervention.
The only way security professionals can encourage survivors and those at risk of physical or sexual offences to come forward is by fostering an environment of unwavering support and empathy. This means making it unmistakably clear that there will be no judgement, only belief, sincere sympathy, unconditional help, and a commitment to women’s safety until police arrive or the complainant, or victim survivor chooses to leave. This foundation of trust is essential. It is trust that will allow others to feel safe enough to share their story without fear of disbelief or further harm.
The Importance of Creating a Safe Space
When security professionals witness a serious verbal confrontation involving a woman, there is often no certainty about whether a criminal offence has already occurred or if the situation is about to escalate. The single responsible course of action is to remove her from the other party, who may be a perpetrator, a direct threat, or someone using intimidation to silence her. By isolating her from this potential threat, security professionals create a safe space where survivors feel shielded from coercion and free to speak openly.
This approach is crucial: a survivor who feels genuinely believed and supported, and senses a true commitment to her safety, is far more likely to share her experiences candidly. Taking appropriate action to make her feel secure—whether by removing her from the threat or distancing the threat itself—demonstrates respect for her autonomy and prioritises her well-being. Only by cultivating this protective, trustworthy environment can security professionals encourage individuals to trust them and feel empowered to share what has happened.
Engaging with Potential Threats and Suspicious Individuals
Consider the headline from 27 October 2020: “Security guard avoided Manchester Arena bomber ‘for fear of being called racist’.” A public inquiry heard that a young security guard had a “bad feeling… but didn’t have anything to justify it… and didn’t want to be labelled a racist.” This young security guard was talking about Salman Abedi, who moments later detonated a bomb at Manchester Arena, killing 22 people and injuring hundreds.
Why mention the Manchester Arena bombing in the context of women’s safety? Because it underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive intervention. If you see a man behaving inappropriately or suspiciously, especially when it’s directed towards women, acting and saying something can make a real difference to someone.
Sexual harassment, toxic masculinity, and inappropriate behaviour towards women by men are sadly a troubling issue in today’s society. By addressing such behaviour and urging those men to act appropriately, you may prevent violence, harassment, or abuse. You don’t have to wait until you see evidence of a crime, receive a formal complaint, or hear a distressed and hurt victim cry for help. Sometimes, a quiet intervention—a simple acknowledgment that inappropriate behaviour is not acceptable—can prevent trauma and spare someone great harm.
Security professionals hold a powerful, proactive role in mitigating risks and safeguarding those around them. By trusting their instincts and addressing red flags early, they are not only protecting physical safety but also upholding respect, dignity, and support for those who may be unable to defend themselves.
About the Author
Robert Kaiser is the founder and CEO of PPSS Group, and author of NEVER A VICTIM, an extensive guide dedicated to women’s safety, the most comprehensive resource of its kind to date. The guide is designed to empower women to prevent both physical and sexual violence. Spanning 514 pages and filled with numerous safety recommendations, this guide encourages women to trust their intuition, recognise potential threats, and rely on their innate ability to protect themselves.
For over three decades, Kaiser has committed himself to understanding violence against women, focusing on sexual violence, specific acts of physical violence, and the behaviour of those who perpetrate these crimes. His work has been profoundly informed by conversations with hundreds of female survivors of sexual and physical violence, whose courage and insights he deeply values. Alongside these invaluable discussions, he has engaged in complex and challenging dialogues with perpetrators, including rapists and predators, to identify patterns and traits that often signal harmful intentions, aiming to prevent potential acts of violence.
