PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST FRAUD AND CYBER CRIMES

Fraud can happen to anyone, anywhere and anytime. Have you received a few fraudulent emails, ambiguous phone calls, encountered fake online ads, questionable posts on social networking sites? Although fraud comes in many forms, there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from the crime and avoid becoming a victim! 

 

Photo Courtesy (www.techinasia.com)

KEEPING YOUR SANITY

One thing I’ve realised as I have gotten older, is that in life is that controlling emotions is not as easy  to do all the time and no matter how 'in control' you think you are...we all lose it at times.  I have also come to accept that the point of life is not to go through it unscathed, but to go through with as about much dignity and grace as you can, given the circumstances you are faced with. 

As difficult as it can sometimes be I have found a few tips which can help us  protect your 'sanity' as we deal with life's daily struggles.

Photo Courtesy (http://millo.co)

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS PARENTS SHOULD TEACH CHILDREN

Are you constantly worried about your child’s safety? Do you feel it is important to lay down a few safety guidelines for your child both inside and outside the house?

If you are wondering just how to go about it, hopefully the information we share here will help you. Keeping your child safe at all times means constant adult supervision. It also means implementing a few important changes and rules that ensure your child’s well-being. 

Read on to know how you can teach safety rules for children.

As a parent you may want to always be present near your child. But this is not possible. You have to let your kid venture out without you. There are places where your child will meet others in your absence, for example, at school. Your child may also need to be at the day care or at home with a nanny. Also, it is important to prepare your child for basic safety steps in the event of an emergency.

Here we list out 9 children safety rules that will help in ensuring safety at school and home:

Photo Courtesy (http://www.tntisland.com)

SAFETY TIPS - BE VIGILANT OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS -

We sometimes are so caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives that we neglect to pay attention to our environment. This can have serious implications for us. 

We tend to believe that "Nothing will happen,"....until it happens!

Here is a list of measures which we all should take into account as we go about our regular routines. I am sure you all already know some of them so consider the list a gentle reminder. 

Photo Courtesy (www.allsecured.net)

LIST OF EMERGENCY NUMBER IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

POLICE……………………………………………..999

FIRE………………………………………………...990

AMBULANCE……………………………………..990

EMERGENCY HEALTH SERVICE………………653-4343

COUVA DISTRICT HOSPITAL………..................636-4024

DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE……………………...6411

Private Emergency Health Care..............1-868-758-9473

WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence refers to physical violence that emanates from domestic abuse. Domestic abuse occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dictate over and control the other person. This is also known as spousal abuse.

Domestic violence and abuse are typically used by someone when they want to gain and sustain control over all aspects of their partner's life. Achieving this could mean using fear, shame, guilt, and intimidation tactics to establish their dominance over their partner. The abuser may also go the extent of making threats and harming people.

The common notion surrounding domestic violence is that only women become victims of it. However, it isn't limited to a particular population. As per the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition Against Domestic Violence, "1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime." Further, it has also been reported that, "1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime."

While women are more prone to becoming victims, men are also abused. The abuse may not necessarily be physical, but also be verbal or emotional. Domestic violence can occur irrespective of age, ethnicity, and economic status. It can happen among heterosexual as well as in homosexual couples.

Whatever the case may be, abusive behavior should not be tolerated. It is important that the victim gets help and feels safe and respected. Recognizing abuse is the foremost step towards this.

Photo Courtesy (http://epicpew.com)

PART 2 GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS TO HELP KIDS WITH BULLYING (CYBER BULLYING)

Parents, it is important that our kids are aware of the following by sharing it with them and helping them understand it. In this modern era, the internet, computers, and mobile phones are common ways of networking and having access to each other. But this also comes with a very serious threat. Bullies these days use the computers, internet and phones to:

•  Send threats, taunting or teasing e-mails to you.
•  Spread gossip or rumors.
•  Impersonate (pretending to be someone) online to get you to e-mail things that will embarrass you or put people in trouble.
•  Texting hurtful or rude comments to someone’s phone.

Photo Courtesy (http://www.huffingtonpost.com)

PART 1. GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS TO HELP KIDS WITH BULLYING…

More than 50% of youths bullied fail to report it to an adult. As parents and guardians, we play a critical role in ensuring that schools and communities are safe and fair for our children. This means helping the child to identify, reject, report or help another person being bullied is as important as training your child not to bully others.

Photo Courtesy (http://www.tarcherbooks.net)

INTERNET SAFETY TIPS…teach your kids how to safeguard themselves

Do you spend a lot of time surfing the web? If you do, you need to be wary of things that lurk on the dark side of the Internet. Not only are there viruses, hackers and spammers but also online predators and a bunch of evildoers who are waiting to pounce on individuals especially teens in the digital world. You have probably heard of someone’s computer being hacked, his or her identity being stolen online, or even having some embarrassing pictures posted online.

“Nah, it can’t happen to me,” you think. Well, if you use the following Internet safety tips, you have a good chance of being right.

Photo Courtesy (www.learninga-z.com)

PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST VOYEURISM..

Voyeurism consists of spying on people with indecent intent while they are engaged in what are considered private activities, such as undressing or going to the bathroom. Thanks to technology anyone can snap a picture or a video of someone else without their knowledge. Millions of women and children are finding themselves victims of voyeurs. In fact, thousands of photographs are being posted online without their consent.

In Trinidad and Tobago, there are no laws against voyeurism. Sometime recently, a “peeping tom” was caught at a popular Woodbrook bar lurking and taking photographs of women as they used the toilet. After a few women noticed him, he tried to escape but was caught by patrons who handed him over to the police. The police however could not charge him because under the sexual offences act, he didn’t utter sexual explicit statements to the women, physically touch them, or pleasure himself whilst looking at them.

Photo Courtesy (www.bocaratoncriminalduilawyer.com)

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SPYING WEBCAMS

How many devices do you have with cameras around the house? You probably have some laptops, a few cell phones, perhaps a baby monitor, and maybe even a home surveillance system. Even though cameras are meant to enhance our devices capabilities, in reality they are putting us in danger. Cybercriminals are able to hack into these cameras to steal our personal information and spy on us. And although we might think it does not take place in Trinidad, remember the saying “when America sneezes, the world catches a cold”.

Photo Courtesy (www.thequint.com)

MOTHER OF ONE KIDNAPPED AND KILLED NEAR HOME- How to Avoid a Similar Attack

Recently, mother of one, 23 year old Sharlene Somai disappeared from her Chaguanas home, under less than normal circumstances. It was supposed to be a short trip to a nearby shop, which was  regularly done  by Sharlene, however on this trip Ms. Somai disappeared only to be found two days later, strangled to death not far from her home. Our hearts go out to her family, especially her three year old son. Please take this opportunity to learn from this tragic event and share this article with your friends and family.

Relatives of Sharlene Somai speak with a police officer where her body was found (Photo Courtesy Trinidad Express)

TURNING FEAR INTO STRENGTH

Everyone has experienced the feelings associated with fear at some time in their life. The rapid heart pounding, shortness of breath, tunnel vision and even the inability to move when our instincts tell us that we may be in danger. These physiological changes are referred to as an adrenal dump.

Photo Courtesy (www.nailsmag.com)

When we feel like we are being threatened, our bodies enter into what is known as a fight or flight response. Instinctively we will react and experience an adrenal dump which allow us a better chance to escape a perceived danger either by confrontation or avoidance. There are two types of adrenaline our bodies release to help in each circumstance.

Flight Adrenaline (norepinephrine) is released to the blood stream under the stress of perceived danger. Such danger may be perceived under a non-dangerous situation, like giving a speech in front of a large crowd, in which you’re just anxious to get things right and not appear foolish. This gives your body strength and speed to flee from real danger.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, DO YOU SAY SOMETHING?

Have you ever been out going through your daily routine and come upon something that seems a bit off? Do you pause your activity to say or do something? 

For instance, if you see a man and woman aggressively arguing do you check and make sure everything is okay? How many times have you witnessed an act and your instinct told you something was not right but you ignored it, opting instead to continue on your way and ignore what you noticed? If this has ever happened to you, you are not alone; it is known as the “say nothing” phenomenon.

It has been said that society no longer holds the “it takes a village to raise a child” mentality; instead more people have the “mind your business and keep to yourself” mindset. Everyday people witness an act or have intimate knowledge that someone is being harmed yet they do nothing about it. In a recent Trinidad Express article, it was reported that a woman from south Trinidad was abducted and later found murdered in a field a short distance from her home. The family had knowledge that she was in an abusive relationship for three years and never said a word. Although no one has been charged in the case, you can’t help but wonder if her family spoke up and notified authoritues of the abuse, would she still be alive?

Police officers at crime scene in south Trinidad (Photo Courtesy Trinidad Express)

ONLINE DATING SAFETY TIPS FOR WOMEN

The promise of meeting the “Love of Your Life” is usually what draws us in to try online dating. In fact, statistics show that one in three relationships now start online. From dating sites to social media, many women are relying on electronic communication as a means of finding “Mr. Right.”

Avoiding awkward blind dates, our busy schedules and the sheer convenience of screening profiles from the privacy of your home sure sounds like an attractive alternative to the bar scene. The downside is that women are often allowing themselves to get swept up in the notion of developing a romantic relationship with someone they just met online; there is a sense of control created because women can choose who they want to communicate with.

Sometimes this false sense of security causes them to let their guard down too easily based on what is written in a user profile and a few email exchanges. As a result, women are losing their common sense and self-protection instincts; opening the door to potential predators.

One rule you can count on when it comes to cyber dating is that some people are going to lie, so please be alert. Here are a few guidelines to help you safely navigate the online dating scene leading up to the first date.

Photo Courtesy (christianwomenonline.net)

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE..

Sexual abuse can happen to children of any race, socioeconomic group, religion or culture. There is no certain way to protect children from sexual abuse, however there are certain steps that can be taken to minimize the risk. It is important to know that if your child is sexually abused, it's the perpetrator to blame and not you or your child.  Listed below is five steps that can be taken to help protect your children from this type of abuse.

Photo Credit (charityworld.com)

SELF DEFENSE MOVES ALL WOMEN SHOULD KNOW.

If you're a woman, you've probably experienced a nervous, stinking feeling when walking alone at night, fearing what's lurking around a dark corner. There's also a good chance you've felt your heart rate speed uncontrollably when you thought you were being followed or maybe you were actually followed and even worst attacked. At some point you've probably asked yourself, 'Would I be able to defend myself?". Well maybe you'll be able to if you learn these few self defense moves that could give you the skill and confidence to fight back.

Straight Punch

SAFETY MEASURES FOR SINGLE WOMEN LIVING ALONE....

As a single woman living alone, safety can become quite an issue. In this sense question like "what can I do to feel safer in my own home or apartment". If you are one of those women living by themselves, you should start to think about safety and how you can make this part of your lifestyle. The following tips will help reduce the possibility of many safety issues you may encounter as a female living alone. 

Home Security Systems are a must.

CARNIVAL SAFETY TIPS.

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is possibly the most anticipated event in our nation's Calendar. However every year concerns about women's safety are raised. Clearly entrenched in our minds is the name Asami Nagakiya.  Asami was the Japanese pannist who was found brutally murdered at the Queens Park Savannah, Port of Spain on Ash Wednesday last year. Port of Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee was forced to resign following outrage over controversial statement he made soon after Asami's death. This death occurred despite the additional police, army and other security personnel located on our streets during the Carnival period. In this regard, there remains the need for individuals to take personal steps to ensure their safety during this festive period. 

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever felt frightened or intimidated when out walking alone? Have you ever wondered what you should do if approached by an attacker? Have you ever worried about becoming yet another home invasion statistic? Not having answers, not having a plan, not having the confidence you can trulsurvive a violent attack, well look no further.

A mother and daughter practice self defense techniques to protect themselves

The sad reality is that we live in an increasingly violent society in which the fear of crime is ever-present. Personal safety has become an issue of importance for everyone, but especially for women and children. Concerned about this state of affairs, I decided to do some research and create this blog, with the view of helping women and families like mines in protecting themselves and kids. Furthermore this blog will include tips on different ways they can do this. For example, different self-defense techniques would be shared along with basic tips on being aware of your surroundings and ways to prevent attacks from taking place.