A Guide to Keep You Safe Abroad Provided By: Pathways to Safety International
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Know Before You Go MONTENEGROBOSNIAMACEDONIALITHUANIAMOLDOVAHUNGARYBULGARIACZECHSLOVENIAROMANIASLOVAKIAGEORGIABELARUSALBANIAUKRAINECROATIAESTONIAPOLANDRUSSIALATVIASERBIA AND REPUBLIC HERZEGOVINA A Guide to Keep You Safe Abroad provided by: Pathways to Safety International Updated JanuaryAprilAugustMarchJulySeptemberDecember 20182017 2019 2018 20172018 2018 2016 2017 FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY KNOW BEFORE BEFORE YOU YOU GO: GO: UKRAINESLOVENIASLOVAKIAROMANIAPOLANDMONTENEGROMOLDOVAMACEDONIALITHUANIALATVIAHUNGARYGEORGIAESTONIACZECHCROATIABULGARIABOSNIABELARUSALBANIA SERBIARUSSIA REPUBLIC AND HERZEGOVINA 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: 1. Use the buddy system and travel with friends. 2. Be aware of social and cultural norms. For example, looking at someone in 7 out of 10 the eyes when you speak to them is perfectly normal in the U.S., but in rapes are another country that could signify you’re interested in the person. committed by someone 3. Recognize controlling behavior when entering a relationship. Most rape known to the survivors recall feeling “uncomfortable” about some of their partner’s behaviors victim1 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 social settings and places. ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS: • Always watch your drink being poured and carry it yourself, even to the bathroom. • “Drug-facilitated sexual assault drugs,” also referred to as club drugs or roofies may turn your drink slightly salty, bright blue, or cloudy. Effects such as distorted judgment, loss sense of time, sight, sound, identity, and overall consciousness can be felt within 15 minutes and may last up to 4 hours.3 • The legal age to buy or drink alcohol in public places such as bars or restaurants in Slovenia is 18 years old.4 Possession or consumption of small amounts of illicit substances are considered minor offenses rather than criminal offenses and 4444 4 44 4 44 5 4 • TheAlbania’sSlovakia’sSerbia’sRomania’sPoland’sMontenegro’sMoldova’sMacedonia’sLithuaniaAccordingHungary’sGeorgia’sEstonia’sInCountry-specific Croatia, legal legal legal legaldrinking legalhas tominimumlegalthelegal legalthe drinkinglegalbeen drinking legaldrinkingdrinking drinking consumptionEuropean drinkingage purchasing known agelegal inage age age to ageCzechUkraineBosniaRussia drinking tip topurchaseisCommission ageis is is 18. be18. andgoes18. age18.Republicis isand one It4Rakija is18. 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