Women have the right to move freely.
Safely.
Women should not have to restrict their lives because public spaces are unsafe.
Keeping those spaces safe is the state’s responsibility. Until it fulfils that responsibility, women deserve credible information, practical tools and more options when they feel threatened.
Save A Sister is an Action Society initiative created to help provide those options.
Practical safety
Women hear plenty of safety advice. Some of it helps. Some only works in certain circumstances. Some may leave women less prepared.
We examine the advice and explain what may actually be useful.
DO THIS
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Prepare your phone
Set up your phone’s emergency features, add trusted emergency contacts and test how the functions work before you need them.
Read more -
Share clear plans
Tell someone you trust where you are going and when you expect to arrive. Agree on what they should do if they cannot reach you.
Read more -
Act when something feels wrong
You do not need to remain polite when a person or situation makes you uncomfortable. Create distance, move towards other people and ask for help early.
Read more
USE WITH CARE
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Personal-safety products
Pepper spray, personal alarms and other lawful safety products may give you another option. Product quality, accessibility, training and the circumstances of an attack all matter.
What to consider -
Drawing attention
Shouting or sounding an alarm may interrupt an attacker or attract help. In other circumstances, moving away quietly may be safer. Pay attention to your surroundings and the behaviour of the person threatening you.
What to consider
DON’T RELY ON THIS
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Keys between your fingers
Holding keys between your fingers may injure your hand and is unlikely to work as expected under pressure. Your keys may be more useful when they are ready to open your car, gate or door.
Read the alternatives -
A product as a guarantee
No safety product works in every situation. Carrying something does not help if it is difficult to reach, unreliable or unfamiliar to you.
Learn how to assess a product
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Help us put practical safety tools into women’s hands
Action Society is looking for South African manufacturers, suppliers and product developers who can help make lawful, reliable and affordable personal-safety products available to women.
We are particularly interested in pepper spray, personal alarms and other practical safety products. We are also open to credible solutions that we may not yet have considered.
We welcome proposals involving:
- affordable commercial supply;
- discounted supply;
- donated products;
- local manufacturing;
- product development;
- branding and packaging;
- distribution or fulfilment support; and
- longer-term partnerships.
Products must be lawful, safe, practical and suitable for use in South African communities.
Proposals should include:
- a description of the product or service;
- pricing and minimum order quantities;
- production or supply capacity;
- delivery reach;
- relevant certifications or test information;
- instructions for safe use;
- branding options, where applicable; and
- the proposed form of collaboration.
Practical products are coming
We are assessing products that could give women more practical options.
The first product under consideration is a small Perspex personal-safety device sometimes called a Kitty Knuckle or Okey Pokey. Before making it available, we are investigating its legality, safety, suitability and cost.
Pepper spray may follow once we have secured an appropriate supplier and operating model.
Products may eventually be sold, distributed free of charge, or both. Nothing will be made available until the necessary checks have been completed.
Why Save A Sister?
When women are attacked, the advice is familiar:
Don’t walk alone.
Don’t run alone.
Don’t go out at certain times.
Be more careful.
Women are expected to surrender more of their freedom while policing, forensic services, investigations and prosecutions continue to fail.
Action Society will keep demanding a criminal justice system that protects women and holds perpetrators accountable. Save A Sister gives women practical information and more options while that fight continues.
The responsibility for violence always rests with the perpetrator.
Share this information
Send this resource to the women in your family, workplace, running club, walking group or community.
Important information
Save A Sister provides general educational information. No product, technique or precaution can prevent every attack or guarantee anyone’s safety.
Women are never responsible for violence committed against them. Where appropriate, seek professional training and confirm the lawful and correct use of any personal-safety product.