Warden Message 2009-3
To: All American Wardens
From: Consular Section
Subject: Warden Notice 2009 – 3
Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions immediately to all American citizens within your area of responsibility.
Begin Text.
While the general security condition in Kuwait remains unchanged a recent assault on an American is a good reminder of the need for security awareness.
Earlier this week a western woman shopping at the Sultan Center in Salmiya was a victim of an attempted sexual assault at that location. After finishing her shopping, the woman placed her purchases in the car and went into a store. While there, she went to the bathroom. As she opened her stall door to exit, a man was standing there. He pushed her back into the stall and groped her. The woman fought her way past him and reported the incident to security. The man unfortunately got away. The woman believes the same individual may have been following her while she shopped earlier in Sultan Center.
Americans are reminded, as in the past, that it is very important to keep an eye on who may be observing your activities while shopping or conducting normal activities in Kuwait. Surveillance is not something that is just done by terrorists – almost every criminal who commits a crime conducts some sort of surveillance on their target either seconds, minutes, or hours before trying to commit a crime or assault a person.
Western women in Kuwait should be particularly vigilant because their dress and freedom of movement can attract attention, in part because many local women are dressed much differently. Especially when shopping or going to other public places in Kuwait, or anywhere in the world, keep the following in mind:
1. Surveillance – think about who may be watching you. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Alert the local security personnel or store management of anything you feel is suspicious – Do not keep this information to yourself.
2. If you think you are being followed, make every effort to stay in a very public place until you can either make contact with the local security personnel or have some sort of an escort. Do not proceed to your vehicle or enter a public restroom, thus giving the person following you an opportunity to get you alone so they can rob or assault you.
3. Exiting/returning to your vehicle – this is the time when all people are vulnerable because our mind is focused on getting out of the car, watching traffic, trying to control children, or placing packages in/out of the car. Especially when returning to your vehicle, it is not a bad idea to look around your vehicle exterior to search for people or suspicious items. Once in the vehicle, lock your doors and make sure your windows are up at all times.
4. Last, think about fighting your attacker, especially if the attacker wants to take you to another location. Do not let that happen.
Once again, the general security level for Kuwait remains the same.
End Text.
American citizens with any questions or concerns may telephone the Embassy at 2259-1581, 2259-1583 or 2259-1240. In case of an emergency outside business hours, American citizens may reach the Embassy duty officer by calling 2259-1001.
For the latest security information, Americans should regularly monitor the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays.)
This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov
American citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Warden Messages from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com
American citizens resident and visiting in Kuwait who are not registered with the Embassy, or whose registration information has changed, are urged to register as soon as possible. They may now do so on-line at the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp
Please note that the Consular Section is closed for American and most local holidays. The current list of holiday schedule for the year 2009, may be viewed via the link below: http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html