What Is the Best Book on Women’s Safety?
When it comes to personal safety, women around the world are seeking guidance, tools, and reassurance to help them navigate an often unpredictable and unsafe world. But with numerous books available, identifying the best book on women’s safety can feel overwhelming. A great women’s safety book must do more than merely inform; it must empower, educate, and support. Let’s explore the essential qualities such a book should have, and the topics it should cover. Key Qualities of a Great Women’s Safety Book Empowerment Above All ElseA truly exceptional women’s safety book doesn’t instil fear—it builds confidence. It should empower readers with knowledge and strategies that make them feel capable of handling potential threats. Empowerment is about recognising one’s own strength and agency while learning practical ways to enhance personal safety. Written from a Survivor-Led PerspectiveA great safety book listens to those who have experienced violence or abuse, ensuring it is trauma-informed and deeply understanding. This perspective allows readers to feel seen, heard, and supported without judgement or assumption. Non-Judgemental and Victim-SupportiveOne of the most critical aspects of any safety guide is ensuring it never blames the victim or survivor. Whether a woman is walking home late at night, wearing a particular outfit, or in any other circumstance, the book must unequivocally reinforce that violence is never the victim’s fault. Sympathetic, Empathetic, and EncouragingWomen navigating the complexities of personal safety need to feel understood and supported. The tone should be both sympathetic and empathetic, offering practical advice while reminding readers that help is available, and hope is not lost. Reassurance That Help ExistsAn outstanding women’s safety book reassures readers that resources, organisations, and support systems exist to help them in times of need. From police and legal services to survivor networks, the book should offer actionable advice for seeking help. Key Topics Every Women’s Safety Book Should Cover To stand out as a definitive guide, a women’s safety book must comprehensively address a range of topics, including: Awareness and Intuition Cultivating awareness of one’s surroundings and trusting intuition are foundational to personal safety. A great book teaches readers how to sharpen their observational skills and trust their instincts. Prediction and Understanding Causes Understanding the potential causes and signs of violent behaviour can empower women to predict and avoid dangerous situations. Manipulative Strategies of Perpetrators Many perpetrators use psychological tactics to manipulate or control. A safety guide should expose these methods, helping women recognise and resist them. General and Travel Safety Recommendations Practical advice for staying safe at home, in public, and while travelling, both domestically and internationally, is invaluable. Technology and Safety In today’s digital world, technology can enhance safety. From personal safety apps to secure online behaviour, a great guide provides up-to-date recommendations. Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication Understanding how body language can deter or attract potential threats is essential. A safety book should offer tips for projecting confidence and strength through non-verbal cues. Seeking Bystander Intervention Learning how to engage bystanders or seek help in public can be lifesaving. A great book should offer advice on how to ask for assistance effectively. Response to Threats and Self-Defence Whether de-escalating a situation, engaging a threat, or escaping, self-defence techniques should be clearly explained and accessible to readers. Addressing Specific Crimes A truly comprehensive women’s safety book will also delve into specific crimes, such as: Rape and Sexual Assault Domestic Abuse ‘Honour-Based’ Violence Stalking Drug-Facilitated Assault Sex Trafficking and Forced Prostitution Technology-Enabled Abuse Each topic should be approached with sensitivity and provide actionable steps to reduce risk, engage threats, or escape dangerous environments. Why NEVER A VICTIM is a Strong Contender While there are many excellent books on women’s safety, NEVER A VICTIM – The Definitive Guide to Women’s Safety stands out for several reasons: It embodies the empowerment, empathy, and non-judgemental tone that a great safety book requires. Written from a trauma-informed, survivor-led perspective, it ensures the voices of those who have experienced violence are at the forefront. With 514 pages and over 111,000 words, it comprehensively covers both general safety strategies and specific crimes, offering practical, actionable advice for real-world scenarios. It acknowledges that no woman deserves violence, regardless of the circumstances, her demeanour, or level of intoxication. — This website “Women’s Safety” is part of PPSS Group
Why a Self-Help Book to Women’s Safety is so Important?
The need for a guide to women’s safety stems from the immense and persistent challenges women face in feeling secure and protected in their daily lives. Despite progress in recognising and addressing violence against women, we still live in a world where misconceptions and cultural norms create barriers to safety. These false beliefs often discourage women from trusting their instincts and abilities, leaving them unprepared to handle or avoid dangerous situations effectively. Providing accessible, practical, and empowering advice for women has become not only necessary but urgent. Women seeking guidance deserve a resource that fosters confidence, promotes awareness, and offers actionable strategies to navigate a world that is regrettably filled with risks. While systemic change is vital, practical help is an immediate necessity. Throughout history, women have demonstrated remarkable resilience, survival skills, and inner strength—even in the most extreme circumstances. This guide, NEVER A VICTIM – The Definitive Guide to Women’s Safety, was developed to build on that legacy, offering tools and strategies to empower women and equip them with the knowledge to navigate threats, both subtle and overt. It aims to reignite trust in women’s instincts, while challenging societal norms that often place the burden of safety on their shoulders. Addressing an Urgent Need for Guidance The staggering prevalence of violence against women highlights the necessity for this type of guidance, particularly given that the global scale of violence against women is nothing short of staggering, according to UN Women. Nearly 736 million women—almost one in three—have endured physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives (30% of women aged 15 and older). This estimate excludes incidents of sexual harassment. Disturbingly, the majority of violence against women is inflicted by current or former husbands or intimate partners. Over 640 million women aged 15 and older (26%) have been subjected to intimate partner violence. According to the 2016 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Personal Safety Survey, an overwhelming 93% of offenders with a primary offense of sexual assault were male. This stark reality underscores why this guide to women’s safety focuses primarily on male violence, while still recognizing that violence can be perpetrated by and against individuals of any gender. A 2018 study by researchers from Glasgow University (Scotland), involving almost 1,000 rape survivors, found that more than 90% of rape and sexual assault victims knew their attacker. Despite these sobering realities, there remains a noticeable lack of effective, practical guidance to help women address and respond to these threats. Society offers clear warnings about dangers like unsafe swimming, drunk driving, smoking, or even drinking bleach, but the advice for avoiding and handling predatory behaviour often falls short. This is where a guide like NEVER A VICTIM proves invaluable, filling the gap with sound, empowering advice for women seeking to enhance their safety. Balancing Freedom and Safety It is undeniable that safety precautions can sometimes feel restrictive. Women are often expected to adapt their behaviours and habits to avoid danger, a reality that is both unjust and frustrating. While it is unfair that women must alter their actions to navigate a world where violence is so prevalent, practical steps can offer protection and peace of mind. NEVER A VICTIM acknowledges this harsh truth but strives to strike a balance—helping women find ways to live freely while staying vigilant and prepared. By fostering self-awareness, situational analysis, and practical safety strategies, it equips women with the tools they need to mitigate risks without sacrificing their independence. While practical advice and individual preparation are crucial, lasting change requires systemic efforts. Can Violence Against Women Be Reduced or Eliminated? Yes, I wholeheartedly believe so. However, reducing violence against women requires both systemic change and individual action. While no single approach will solve this issue, a multi-faceted strategy can help significantly mitigate risks and, one day, perhaps even eliminate them. Achieving this requires addressing root causes, improving accountability, and providing support to survivors. Early Intervention for At-Risk Boys Boys who experience or witness violence—whether through domestic abuse, gang involvement, or conflict—must be identified and supported. Providing therapeutic interventions and resources can help break the cycle and prevent them from becoming future perpetrators. Combating Misogyny Misogyny remains deeply entrenched in many cultures, amplified by online platforms that spread harmful ideologies. Identifying and challenging individuals and groups promoting misogynistic beliefs is critical, alongside education and accountability measures to dismantle these toxic mindsets. Transforming Patriarchal Societies In many regions, patriarchal norms perpetuate gender inequality and reinforce harmful traditions. Changing these systems requires collaboration with local leaders, activists, and organisations to shift societal attitudes and promote gender equity. Strengthening Legal Frameworks Laws protecting women from violence must be clear, comprehensive, and strictly enforced. Stricter sentencing for perpetrators sends a strong message about the seriousness of these crimes while serving as a deterrent. Improving Law Enforcement Practices Survivors must feel confident in reporting crimes and trusting law enforcement. Police forces need to eliminate corruption, ensure integrity, and adopt victim-centred approaches to investigations, prioritising empathy and accountability. Better Handling of Online Violence The rise of digital platforms has created new avenues for abuse. Strengthening investigations and prosecutions of online harassment, exploitation, and sexual violence is essential to protect women in virtual spaces. Providing Accessible Support Services Survivors of violence need safe, judgment-free access to support services that address their physical, emotional, and legal needs. These resources must be easy to access and designed to empower women as they rebuild their lives. NEVER A VICTIM serves as a vital resource for women today, but the ultimate goal is a world where such guidance is no longer needed—a world where women can live without fear, freely pursuing their ambitions and dreams. Until that day arrives, offering support, strategies, and resources is an essential step toward a safer, more equitable future for all women. The UK-dedicated edition is available now. The international edition will be available on 12 March 2025. You can order your copy here.