Personal Safety for Church Workers
This is intended purely as a guide to what may happen when you have to face someone who is behaving in an inappropriate way in church. Whatever you choose to do, always be safe. Remember learning when to run away is the best personal safety training that you can receive!
People may say that you do not have to have trained people to deal with criminals as the police will deal with them. However, what do you do about the drunk who is screaming and swearing in the middle of a service? The police may not arrive for 10 minutes or longer. What if someone is setting fire to your altar cloth? Can you detain them, how do you do it?
You may not feel able to actually lay hands on someone but it is always necessary to know what you can or cannot do, as there may be someone else who wishes to assist by detaining the offender. You need to know what you are allowed to do within the confines of the law.
BODY LANGUAGE
First of all be aware of the warning signs that indicate that someone is up to no good, and you may be at risk:
- Prolonged staring
- Facial colour may change
- Head is back as person tries to 'stand tall'
- Kicking the ground
- Changing weight on feet
- Exaggerated movements, especially hands
- Abrupt starting and stopping of nervous behaviour
There are also danger signs that indicate that violence may be about to occur, these are clinically proven to occur:
- Clenching and unclenching of fists
- Face goes pale
- Lips tighten over teeth
- Head drops forward to protect throat
- Hands raise above waist
- Stance changes to side on
- Glancing at intended target
- Lowering of entire body before attack
These signs really do happen, be aware and you may just avoid serious injury.
