The Personal Safety of Women is an Important Role of Security Professionals

Security professionals have a vast and critical role. They are tasked with maintaining order, protecting the public, deterring threats, and responding to emergencies. However, one of the most overlooked aspects of their responsibilities is ensuring the personal safety of women, protecting them from sexual harassment, stalking, domestic abuse and violence, and drink spiking.

This article focuses on the vital role security professionals must play in making women safer, their understanding of coercive control, and the key issues they must be aware of.

Earning the Trust of Victim-Survivors

Many women who experience violent crimes, particularly sexual offences, never report them. Fear, shame, and the belief that they will not be taken seriously often silence survivors. In some cases, the perpetrator remains present, or the survivor has been explicitly threatened into silence. Some women never tell anyone, not even close friends or family members.

Security professionals must understand this reality. It is often impossible to determine whether someone is in danger, even when they insist, they are fine. This is where experience, skills, vigilance, intuition, and a proactive mindset can make all the difference.

For example, imagine a situation where a woman appears highly intoxicated, while her male companion is entirely sober. There could be a perfectly innocent explanation, perhaps he is the designated driver or simply does not drink. However, there could also be something far more sinister at play.

A simple yet effective question to ask yourself is: Did I see them arrive together?

If they arrived together—whether by car or on foot—they likely know each other.

If you cannot recall seeing them enter together, they may have met at the venue or could even be complete strangers.

A heavily intoxicated woman is in no position to communicate effectively or recognise danger. In the worst-case scenario, her drink may have been spiked, and the man accompanying her could have harmful intentions.

Taking Decisive Action

Discretion is important, but so is intervention. If something does not feel right, take the man aside and ask if he knows the woman’s name. A colleague can ask her the same question. If her response does not match his, that is an immediate red flag.

To further assess the situation, consider requesting her ID before she leaves, explaining that it is a safety measure. A man with good intentions will understand and cooperate, while someone with ulterior motives may become defensive or evasive, both clear warning signs of an abusive relationship.

If uncertainty remains, calling paramedics may be a necessary step. This would likely require official identification and could also deter a potential predator from continuing with their plan. Keeping all interactions within CCTV range ensures transparency and accountability, protecting both the woman and security staff from any later disputes.

Security professionals must make one thing clear: a woman’s safety comes first. By demonstrating a commitment to protection and vigilance, they reinforce trust and deter those who seek to cause harm.

Creating a Safe Space for Women in Distress

When security professionals witness a heated confrontation involving a woman, there is no guarantee that a crime has already occurred, but there is always the risk that the situation could escalate. The safest and most responsible course of action is to remove her from the other party.

Separating a woman from a potential threat allows her the freedom to speak openly, without fear of coercion or intimidation. If she feels genuinely supported and believed, she is far more likely to disclose the truth.

This is how security professionals foster trust, by creating an environment where women feel safe enough to ask for help, without fear of judgment or further harm.

Addressing Suspicious Behaviour and Potential Threats

Failing to act on instinct can have devastating consequences. Consider the case of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. A security guard noticed Salman Abedi—the terrorist responsible—behaving suspiciously. However, he hesitated to intervene, fearing he would be accused of racism. Moments later, Abedi detonated a bomb, killing 22 people.

Why is this relevant to women’s safety? Because it highlights the consequences of inaction. If you see a man behaving inappropriately towards a woman, do not ignore it. Trust your intuition is an important advice I give to all females, and in the context of this article, I also urge you to trust your gut feeling and step in, early intervention can prevent serious harm.

Sexual harassment, toxic masculinity, and predatory behaviour remain widespread issues in society. Security professionals have a unique position and the authority to challenge inappropriate conduct before it escalates. You do not need to wait until a crime has been committed before taking action. A simple but firm intervention can prevent a vulnerable woman from becoming a victim.

Upholding Professionalism and Accountability

Security professionals play an essential role in making public spaces safer for women. However, this responsibility should not fall on female victims or potential victims. It is the duty of security personnel to actively foster environments where women’s safety is prioritised.

This means:

• Protecting women from harm
• Intervening when someone is at risk
• Holding perpetrators accountable
• Raising awareness about consent and bystander intervention

The most effective way to encourage women to come forward is by creating an atmosphere of unwavering support and empathy, an environment where survivors know they will be believed and protected, without fear of blame or dismissal.

This is not just about security, it is about integrity, vigilance, and the responsibility to ensure that women are safe, respected, and empowered to speak out.

The responsibility of security professionals in protecting women aligns with global efforts to make public spaces safer. Initiatives such as UN Women’s Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces programme highlight the importance of proactive intervention, bystander awareness, and structural changes to reduce the risks women face in public settings. Security professionals have a unique and crucial role in supporting these objectives by ensuring vigilance, responding effectively to threats, and creating environments where women feel genuinely safe.

About the Author

Robert Kaiser is the founder and CEO of PPSS Group, a personal safety for women expert, and the author of NEVER A VICTIM, the most comprehensive guide to women’s safety ever written. This 516-page resource is designed to help women trust their instincts, recognise threats, and take proactive steps to protect themselves from violence.

For over three decades, Kaiser has dedicated his career to understanding and preventing violence against women. His research, shaped by countless conversations with survivors, offers deep insights into the behaviours of perpetrators and how to identify warning signs before violence occurs.

His work is driven by one fundamental belief: women’s safety is non-negotiable.