Security confident in the field

Last week, two of our trainers and an actor trained employees of an  international NGO in Germany.

Eighteen  participants, with travel experience from zero to many years, were involved in a “Basic Course Light” and 11 female participants in a “Safety for Female travellers” course.

Besides the exercises during the modules security awareness, emergency first response and dealing with aggression, the course ended with four different simulations: checkpoint, car accident, robbery and demonstration, in which the participants could bring into practice everything they learned during the modules.

These simulations  were based on the needs and wishes of the organization and participants. Our trainers and actors improvised on the spot. A good example of improvising was using a minibus with a wounded protester in need for a doctor during the demonstration.

One of the most important aspects for a successful course is creating a safe and pleasant learning environment where participants can have fun as well. The course made the necessity of Standard Operational Procedures clear. The training resulted not only in more awareness and skills to deal with security issues, but also in a stronger team.

After the two-day “Basic Course Light” the female participants continued with the “Safety for Female Travellers” course. Delicate, but very useful, and resulting in a deepening of “Dealing with Aggression in Sexual Aggression”. The female participants learned how to minimize the risk of sexual aggression and also practiced in dealing with this kind of aggression.

Some feedback received from participants: “I know not only how to prepare better and which options there are to stay safer, but I also know how I can control myself under stress and how to feel more confident.”

For us, the CSD team in Germany, it was really great having the opportunity to assist this organization to think about their own security policy and to help participants to improve their personal safety and security.