By Bridget Cook
PERSONAL safety and awareness was the topic on everyone’s lips at a South East Business Networks (SEBN) meeting last month.
The meeting was a Women in Business networking meeting, where women were equipped with tools and knowledge to help make them safer on the streets.
Police crime prevention officer for Southern Metro Region Division Three Eddy MacDonald was the guest speaker at the event on 27 October.
Mr MacDonald said the topic of personal safety and awareness was relevant to the business women for two reasons – to help them to be more safe and aware and the fact that crime can keep customers away from their businesses if they don’t feel safe in the area.
Mr MacDonald highlighted how the women could be more aware and keep safe when they’re out and about at shopping centres, on the street, in their home or even in the workplace.
“When someone is a victim of crime, it will have a profound affect on their life for quite some time,” he said.
“You should have strategies in place to deal with issues if your safety is threatened.
“Feeling unsafe and asking for help is not foolish or irrational.”
Mr MacDonald provided a number of tips to the women for the best ways to stay safe, and how to react if they are a victim of crime.