We hear about it in the news often: someone (most often female) was beaten, raped, or kidnapped either at or leaving a concert. You see stories of artists stopping shows to call out audience members who are groping, forcing themselves on and hurting women in the crowd. Most band members that can see it happening do stop it, as Five Finger Death Punch showed here. A woman was kicked in the face purposely by a male concert goer. Mid-song, they stop to call him out. Even though the real war is on those who commit these awful acts, until we find a way to make them stop we need to keep all concert-goers safe.
To begin with, you need to arm yourself. Obviously, venues will not allow knives and other weaponry into a venue, and the larger the venue, the stricter the policy. Most venues will allow small canisters of mace, the kind that you can stick on your keys. These types of mace are tiny and easily hidden from attackers, but it is also something you will always have on your person. Once you use it on your attacker, it will stun and deter them only for a moment. Take that opportunity to run and scream to get the attention of anybody within a reasonable distance that may be able to help you. This is only for if you are attacked outside of a venue, or in a secluded area at a show (such as a bathroom or hallway). If you are in the middle of a crowd, there are better options to protecting yourself.
To stay safe leaving a show, always park your car in a nearby, well-lit parking lot. Most venues have these right next to the venue. They tend to cost extra money for parking, especially in a city, but it is worth it. Get to the show early, and you should be able to find a parking spot before the lots fill or you have to park too far away. If you do end up having to park farther away, or in a not so safe parking lot, have your car keys at the ready. Use your car alarm if you feel unsafe. The noise will deter attackers, as it will draw attention from any passersby and nearby police usually come to check it out and make sure nothing bad is happening. When you get to your car, always check the back seat to make sure no one has gotten in.
If you are attending a show, the general rule is to never go alone. If you can get a group of friends to go together, more tends to be the safer option. Groups of two are alright, but could still be overpowered be an attacker. Groups of three or more are considered safest. If you do go to a show alone, see if you can meet up with someone else you know. If all else fails, find a police officer. They tend to be standing around after shows, so ask one to escort you if you are that uncomfortable.
If during a show you are groped or harassed, you need to get away and draw attention. This is how you can do so easily:
- Elbow your attacker; this will make them back up for a moment.
- Grab the attention of those nearby. Scream, throw a fit -- just get someone to notice you.
- Ask someone for help, and point out the perpetrator.
Strangers are more likely to help than hurt in situations like that. Telling someone or throwing a fit will either get the person removed from the venue or make it known who he is so he cannot bother another concert-goer. Always remember to never take anything from anyone, as most shows have open container drinks and it is easier to slip something in to them.
Concerts can be crowded and hectic, no matter the size of the show. It is prime hunting ground for predators, so you need to pay attention to your surroundings and be able to protect yourself if need be.
