National charity Suzy Lamplugh Trust is urging young men throughout the UK to ‘Keep It REAL’ this National Personal Safety Day (Wednesday October 7) by making themselves aware of potential dangers and taking appropriate steps.

National Personal Safety Day, which is organised by Suzy Lamplugh Trust and run alongside more than 200 community partners, is an annual event aimed at highlighting some of the simple, practical solutions everyone can use to help minimise their risk of violence and aggression in today’s society.

The focus of this year is on young men, as statistics demonstrate they are twice more likely than women to become a victim of violent crime from a stranger, and the risks do not stop there.

Rachel Griffin, Director of Suzy Lamplugh Trust explains: “It is often assumed that young women are at greatest risk from violence and aggression but while women are more likely to be victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse, and are more likely to be harmed by someone they know, statistics show that it is young men who are most at risk from stranger violence.

“Not only are they often targets of crime but they can sometimes think of themselves as being invincible or able to handle anything and in some cases they may even go too far and carry weapons, which puts them in greater danger.”
Statistics show:
• Young men are most likely to be victims of crime (Crime Survey England and Wales 2010/11)
• 61% of victims of violent crime perpetrated by a stranger are men (British Crime Survey (2010/2011)
• 68% of homicide victims are men (2011 Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence report published by the Home Office)
• Most victims were male in each of the different types of violent offences from 73% of the victims of robbery to 58% of victims of assaults with minor injury (Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences, 2011/12)
• 62% of violence victims were male (Focus on: Violent Crime and Sexual Offences, 2011/12 | 07 February 2013 ONS)

Now Suzy Lamplugh Trust has a special message for young men, especially those between the ages of 16-24 – understand the potential risks and the precautions you can take, but most importantly Keep it REAL!

R is for READY
Don’t assume it won’t happen to you

E is for EDUCATE
Understand the risks of the environment around you

A is for ALERT
Avoid speaking on your phone or wearing headphones whilst out alone, as this could limit your
awareness of dangers

L is for LEGAL
Carrying a weapon or pepper spray is illegal. You can carry a personal safety alarm.

Rachel added: “Suzy Lamplugh Trust is not trying to scare young men or worry them unnecessarily but personal safety is an important issue for everyone, regardless of age or sex or where they live or what they do for a living. It is an issue that affects people with and without disabilities and from all walks of life including children and young people and as much as young men may feel like they are invincible, they are not and they need to embrace the ideas behind keeping it REAL.”

For years, Suzy Lamplugh Trust has been working with people in the community and workplace to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety and to provide positive practical advice and guidance that makes people safer and more in control.

Rachel added: “The police exist to step in when things go wrong and attacks or crime happen, but as individuals we owe it to ourselves to think about safety and take a few simple steps to help us stay and feel safer.”