We all build "Models of Violence", that is, beliefs about the way in which various types of violent attacks occur, whether they are muggings, domestic abuse or sexual assaults. Our models are normally based on media reports from the newspaper and TV, advice we've been given, stories we've been told, our own experiences and that of our friends. We often use these models, to reinforce a view of the world that allows us to feel safe and comfortable e.g. that sexual assaults occur in remote and deserted places and are committed by complete strangers, rather than by people we know and in places where we are meant to feel safe. This course will focus on understanding the sexual predator and the process the offender goes through before an attack.

So, you have arrived at your destination; your hotel. I am afraid it is not time to relax quite yet. The hotel is your “home away from home”, and it is therefore necessary to take the security of the hotel as seriously as you would in your own home. With more and more security measures implemented to protect traditional terrorist targets, such as airlines and embassies, hotels have now become more likely targets. This is especially true of luxury hotels belonging to large international chains. Hotels are “good targets” from a terrorist’s perspective as they will provide the potential for mass casualties and world-wide media coverage without the same level of risk involved as targeting an embassy. Now, terrorists are not what you normally have to worry about, but crime is. Any hotel could also be a hangout for criminals, prostitutes and con artists. The hotels will mostly work hard to prevent this, but some may even have staff that cooperates with these criminals. This course will provide you with information on best practices when selecting and staying in a hotel abroad.

Street crime is, together with medical problems, perhaps the most common threat to travellers worldwide. Street crime is most of the time not personal; thieves are not there to target you, you might simply represent an easy target. The same principles of security exist while on the street as anywhere else. You must aim to diminish any criminal’s opportunity to commit a crime against you as much as possible. It is therefore essential that you take certain precautions. This course aims to provide you with specific information on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime while staying abroad.

First of all, the chances of you being kidnapped or taken hostage are quite small. If it does happen, your chances of survival are very high. The act of kidnapping is a terrifying experience, but you will come to realize that you possess more personal resources than you might think to cope with the situation. It is important to remember that you are of value to those who are holding you only if you are alive, and they want to keep you that way.

Although each hostage case is different, they typically follow the same phases; surveillance, capture, holding, release, and a post release phase. This course will go into detail of your responses to improve your survival chances if taken hostage.