Box 2. Preventative steps

The full list of steps that can be taken when confronted by activists using extreme tactics is available from Americans for Medical Progress (AMP). Some key points are:

• Keep the situation in perspective: only a small number of activists are actually willing to resort to violence.
• Prepare, prepare, prepare: make sure your firm has an up-to-date crisis plan, and build a crisis management team that knows its roles.
• Know the threat: stay current on the trends of the movement through groups like AMP and state biomedical research groups.
• Get to know law enforcement: link your security personnel to local, state and federal law enforcement before an attack.
• Avoid a siege mentality: public outreach is key. The capital you build now in the community can be drawn on for support should you face activist targeting.
• Stay alert: do not give out sensitive information over the phone, to a visitor or via e-mail. Watch for signs that someone might be infiltrating your facility.
• Do not confront activists: if you are threatened, report incident to police.
• Support targeted employees: provide the necessary resources to help targeted employees and their families through a situation, including temporary assignment of private security if necessary.