What can I do to keep safe on a night out?
If you’re going on a night out you should always have fun and enjoy yourself.
Unfortunately, you do have to be extra careful at night and in clubs. Here is some info to keep you safe:
- Plan your night out and how you will get home.
- Take your mobile phone with you and make sure it’s fully charged.
- Stay with friends and don’t leave with strangers.
- If you feel very drunk or unwell after a small amount of alcohol then ask a trusted friend or a member of the club / pub management for help.
- If you think you have been spiked, report it to the police and seek medical assistance. All reports will be investigated.
- Don’t take drugs or new psychoactive substances (sometimes misleadingly called ‘legal highs’).
- Don’t have sex with anyone who is too drunk or under the influence of drugs as this means they can’t give consent.
- Look after bags and valuables, try using a cloakroom or leaving anything you don’t need at home.
- Keep enough money to pay for your journey home.
- Use a trusted taxi company that you have used before, or arrange for a friend or family member to collect you.
- Stay alert at cash machines, be aware of who’s behind you. Keep your money and PIN out of view.
If you think you have been drugged or spiked, report it to the police and seek medical assistance. All reports will be investigated. For further advice and information please visit Safer Scotland.
How do I keep myself safe when meeting new people?
Whether you meet them on a night out or through dating sites, you need to stay safe when going on a date with someone you don’t know very well. Take care as not everyone will be who they say they are.
There can be risks with includes your immediate personal safety, stalking or harassment or being exploited financially. Here are some more steps to follow to stay safe:
- The first time you get together, meet and stay in a busy public place.
- Meet in a public place until you feel safe enough to do something different. If you’ve met once in public place and are still unsure, don’t worry you are allowed to say you still want to meet in public. Whoever you’re meeting should always respect your wishes.
- Tell someone else where you’re going, who you’re meeting and when you’ll be back.
- If possible, it’s okay to make arrangements to go with a friend.
- Don’t accept a lift from someone you have just met even if they seem genuine.
- Be alert if someone you have just met is asking for something from you or trying to make you feel bad for them, this could be part of a con.
- Follow the night out safety advice we’ve provided above.
If you’re looking for more information on staying safe as a student, head to our Young Scot Safety page to find out more.