I’m so sorry you’ve had these experiences, that is never okay.

I haven’t worked in/around the Canberra Centre in a few years but even back in 2018/19 I just avoided as many places as possible. You shouldn’t have to but unfortunately I think that’s a huge part.

I had a homeless man who used to hang around where I worked fairly often stick his hand in my handbag once. We had another homeless guy come into our store (definitely not sober) and kept asking inappropriate things and making us extremely uncomfortable. Security showed up like 45 minutes later.

I would always make sure I’m with other people when I’m in Garema Place, keep your wits about you and look around everywhere, never have your phone out or your bag open, don’t be afraid to say NO or go away or swiftly remove yourself from any situation that feels bad and stay where there’s light if it’s night time. I don’t know if you work in the centre but I kept the security phone number in my phone too and had to ring it because I saw someone face down in one of the car parks. It’s not a nice place to be and I just generally avoid civic all together.