womanthismonth.com | AUGUST 2025 PROPERTY 97 TEN PRACTICAL SAFETY TIPS To help agents stay alert, Karine also shares 10 practical tips drawn from personal experience: 1. Share your schedule with someone you trust 2. Screen clients and request ID in advance 3. Confirm who will attend the viewing – unexpected visitors should not be allowed 4. Avoid isolated or poorly lit locations 5. Let clients walk ahead so you can observe them 6. Keep doors open and exits clear 7. Trust your instincts and cancel if you feel uneasy 8. Avoid viewings at night 9. Dress modestly and avoid flashy accessories 10. Use secret distress codes to notify colleagues of trouble incidents, fearing disbelief, embarrassment or professional repercussions. In some cases, agencies are more concerned with preserving their brand image than supporting staff. “I want female agents to feel empowered to set boundaries confidently, knowing the company and industry stand behind them,” Karine says. She believes the lack of reporting creates a false sense of security: “This silence can create the illusion that abuse ‘never happens’, when in reality, it can happen to anyone, anywhere.” The solution, she argues, lies in honest conversation, smarter regulation and collective accountability. A Call to Action Karine is calling on Bahrain’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and other stakeholders to introduce practical safeguards. These include: • Mandatory Client Identification: Require users of property platforms to verify ID before contacting agents, ending the anonymity imbalance that exposes agents to potential danger. • Safety Training: Real estate companies must take responsibility for training agents to recognise red flags and avoid high-risk scenarios. • Lone Worker Safety Devices: Provide discreet SOS alarms that share location and activate emergency response when triggered by a code word. She says: “There is more awareness today, which is good, but we still have a long way to go. Brokerages and authorities need to openly discuss safety, adjust policies, provide training and make it part of company culture rather than leaving it to agents to figure out on their own.” Karine’s vision is not just about protecting herself or her staff, but reshaping industry norms. Through open dialogue, improved policies and modern safety tools, she believes Bahrain can set a standard for other markets to follow. “Safety isn’t just a personal responsibility, it should be part of how we do business,” she says. By speaking out, Karine hopes to transform silence into action and make the real estate sector safer, stronger and more inclusive for all. For property consultancy and management, contact: 37300777 www.masterhousebh.com
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