NOTE: Please distribute widely to your family, friends, and at your Gurdwara.

• Avoid being alone in public, especially at night. When you must do so, be conscious of your surroundings. If you find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation, immediately attempt to get to safety. Do not feel foolish about running or screaming to draw attention from other bystanders. This could save your life!
• Do not escalate a volatile situation. If someone calls you a derogatory name, no matter how angry or hurt you are, do not resort to physical violence. Otherwise, you may be the one prosecuted. Have the courage and intelligence to walk away!
• Carry a mobile phone with you when out in public.
• Turn on alarm systems in your home.
• Collectively monitor Gurdwaras and Sikh-owned businesses for acts of vandalism or burglar
• If you or someone you know becomes the target of a hate crime, immediately contact your local police and report it as a hate/ bias crime! Be sure to tell them that the crime was racially motivated and photographically document all injuries and/or property damage that occurred in the incident. If someone is seriously injured, call 911 or get to a hospital immediately.
• Other steps you should take in the event of hate crime include:
  a) note the name of doctors and/or police officers
  b) save police/hospital reports
  c) photograph any bodily injuries and/or damage to property
  d) immediately photograph the scene of the incident
• If you are attacked or you witness an assault, try to note the assailant's physical characteristics, such as height, build, color of hair and eyes, clothing, and other details.
• Specifically, note any unusual traits, such as scars, tattoos, etc. Listen for voice characteristics, such as accents, speech pattern, and content of statements of assailants.
• If you or anyone you know is the victim of a hate crime, please contact SMART with the details of any acts of violence, harassment, or vandalism you witness.