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Know Before You Go Know Before You Go HAVANA A Guide to Keep You Safe Abroad provided by: Pathways to Safety International October 2019 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: HAVANA, CUBA 2 Let’s be perfectly clear, the number one way to prevent sexual assault is to not rape. While the responsibility of ending sexual gender based violence is on the perpetrators, this guide will offer general safety tips, country-specific information, and resources to help prevent and prepare travelers for the possibility of sexual assault abroad. GENERAL SAFETY TIPS: 7 out of 10 1. Use the buddy system and travel with friends or people you trust. rapes are 2. Be aware of social and cultural norms. For example, looking at someone in the eyes committed when you speak to them is perfectly normal in the U.S., but in another country that by someone could signify you’re interested in the person. known to the victim1 3. Recognize controlling behavior when entering a relationship. Most rape survivors recall feeling “uncomfortable” about some of their partner’s behaviors such as degrading jokes/ language or refusal to accept “no” as an answer, whether in a sexual context or otherwise.2 4. Avoid secluded places where you could be more vulnerable. Meet new people in public spaces and let a trusted friend know where you’ll be beforehand. Always have a backup plan in mind. 5. Trust your gut. Many victims have a “bad feeling” right before an assault takes place. It’s okay to leave a situation that is making you feel uncomfortable. Stay alert and aware in new places and social settings. 6. Watch your drink being poured and carry it yourself, even to the bathroom. Drug-facilitated sexual assault drugs, also referred to as roofies, may turn your drink slightly salty, bright blue, or cloudy. Effects of distorted judgment, loss sense of time, sight, sound, or overall consciousness can be felt within 15 minutes and may last up to 4 hours.3 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL NORMS: Touching, kissing, and hugging are standard when greeting someone in Cuba and it usually does not hold any sexual connotation. Being generous and hospitable is expected, especially when a visitor comes into someone’s home-they are always welcome. While you might witness some heated arguments between Cubans, the more intense, personal con- flicts, typically are expressed through implication, rather than direct accusations.4 GENDER, DISCRIMINATION, STIGMA: The movements to legalize gay marriage have been ever increasing, and last year, the National Assembly voted for a rewritten constitution that would make discrimination against LGBTQ people illegal, and it could make gay marriage legal.5 There has been a strong opposition against this equality movement, that stems from the country’s engrained machismo and Catholicism. Posters have been put up around the country that promote a heterosexual, monogamous, cis-gender view of family.6 But, you can enjoy gay celebrations like Pride Parade and International Day Against Ho- mophobia in Havana.⁷ DRUG AND ALCOHOL AWARENESS: Though the legal purchasing age in Cuba is 16, there is no legal drinking age that is enforced.⁸ There is also no le- gal smoking age or tobacco purchasing age. (9). Because you are no longer under U.S. jurisdiction, if caught using, in possession, or transporting drugs in Cuba, you can face heavy fines and long prison sentences, sometimes around 18 years.10 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: HAVANA, CUBA 4 RESOURCES PATHWAYS TO SAFETY INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALS Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital Crisis Line, first dial the country specific AT&T access San Lázaro Street # 701 esq. to Belascoaín, Havana Center, code for Havana ( +53). Then, at the prompt, enter our Havana, ZIP: 10400, Cuba phone number: 833-SAFE-833 (833-723-3833) Tel: +53 7 8761210 Website: http://www.hospitalameijeiras.sld.cu/hha/index.php Crisis Email: Connect with a Pathways Advocate via email at [email protected]. All crisis emails will Clinica Central Cira Garcia be responded to within 24 hours. *For immediate help, Open 24/7 Ave. Lazaro e/ 18 y 20, Pya, La, Cardenas, Las Habana, Cuba please call our crisis line. Tel: +53 7 204 2811 Website: http://www.cirag.cu/ Live Chat: Pathways online chat service is available 24/7 on our website at pathwaystosafety.org. OTHER RESOURCES Out Adventures US EMBASSY LGBTQ friendly tour company US Embassy Havana Website: https://www.outadventures.com/ Calzada between L & M, Vedado, Havana, Cuba Tel: (53)(7) 839-4100 Cenesex National Sexual Edcucation Center with resources Calle 10 No. 460 esq. 21, Vedado, Tel: (537) 838-2528 al 29 EMERGENCY NUMBERS Email: [email protected] Police: 106 Fire: 105 The information in this guide has been gathered from public sources, is for informational purposes only, and is not vetted, endorsed or guaranteed by Pathways to Safety International. Pathways to Safety International is not rendering legal advice by making this guide available, is not a law enforcement agency, and does not engage in law enforcement activity. If you have any legal questions or concerns, you should consult a qualified legal or other professional that can consider the particulars of your specific case. Pathways to Safety International reserves the right to change or make corrections to this guide at any time, and will not be liable for any errors, inaccuracy or omissions contained herein. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: HAVANA, CUBA 5 REFERENCES 1 Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2010-2014 (2015). 2 West Virginia University. “Tips for Prevention.” WELLWU. April 6, 2017. Accessed: November 21, 2017. https://well.wvu.edu/resources/sexual-assault/ tips-for-prevention. 3 U.S. Department of Women’s Health. ‘“Date rape drugs.” April 28, 2017. Accessed: November 21, 2017. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/ 4. fiCuba.fl Countries and Their Cultures, www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Cuba.html. 5. fiLGBT Rights in Cuba: What Travellers Should Know Before Going! .fl Queer In The World, 3 Dec. 2018, queerintheworld.com/lgbt-rights-in-cuba/.” 6. Marsh, Sarah. fiCuba’s Draft Constitution Opens Path to Gay Marriage.fl Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 21 July 2018, www.reuters.com/article/us-cu- ba-assembly-gaymarriage/cubas-draft-constitution-opens-path-to-gay-marriage-idUSKBN1KB0P6. 7. Bedos, Joel. fiCuba Œ IDAHOTB 2018 Country Page.fl IDAHOTB, dayagainsthomophobia.org/cuba-idahotb-2018-country-page/. 8. International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD). (2019). Minimum legal age limits. Retrieved from http://www.iard.org/resources/mini- mum-legal-age-limits/ 9.fiFrom Customs to Tradition: 9 Things You Didn’t Know about Cuban Culture.fl Volunteer Vacations | Discover Corps, 1 Sept. 2017, discovercorps.com/ blog/customs-tradition-cuban-culture/. 10. fiCriminal Penalties in Cuba.fl Country Reports: Travel Edition, www.countryreports.org/travel/Cuba/criminalpenalties.htm..
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