Personal safety starts with you setting your boundaries. First, use your voice so that others know what and where your boundaries are. Use clear words such as, "No," "Stop," "Back Off," and "Go Away."

Avoid niceties and pleasantries. If you want something, say it. When you say, "Please," or "Would You..." you give the other person an opportunity to ignore you and prioritize their needs. Your wants and safety are important and deserve to be voiced and heard.

Don't be afraid to be loud. You need to make your point and if others hear you, they can back you up. Practice being loud in the car or let your family know you're practicing and don't actually need help.

In a situation where someone is intending you harm, you can use your voice to scream and call for help. When calling for help use these specific words, which you can practice: "Stop! Call for help! This person's attacking me!" If someone is around or in earshot, ask someone specifically to call for help. If you are in close proximity you can use your voice to scream in your attacker's ear.

Ideally, you will never find yourself in physical danger, but if you do I have three more steps for you.