>>
Site Map
>>
News
How to Prevent a Potential Rape
#36 - 2--naselfdefense--How to Prevent a Potential Rape--2008-08-04 21:19:45
#
While you never know if you will be a rape victim, there are ways to protect yourself against being attacked. By following these tips, you'll make the world a little safer for yourself... - Take a self-defense class. You will get all the information you need and skills to protect yourself.
Steps
Stay aware. Do not jog with your iPod because attackers are looking for easy, distracted prey. The same can be said for talking on your cell phone. On the other hand, if you feel someone is following you, it can help to pull out your cell phone and pretend to be talking to someone because your "conversation partner" would be aware of an attack. If your potential attacker is going for "no witnesses", he might back off and change his mind.
Be aware of your hairstyle and how that can benefit an attacker. Ponytails are the number one style that rapists look for because they are easy to grab and hold.
Carry defensive items only if you know how to use them. Anything that could hurt a potential attacker can also be used against you if you are not well trained and comfortable with the item. If you are going to carry a handgun, make sure to take classes in its use, practice often at a firing range, and apply for a concealed weapons permit; if you carry a knife, take a course in the most effective way to use it. Remember that even an umbrella or purse can be used as a weapon against an attacker, and has less chance of being turned against you.
Yell, shout and draw attention to yourself. Attackers usually have an idea of how the attack will happen. Disrupt that idea. Yell loudly and strongly; There is a common belief it is better to call "fire" than "help" - however many believe this is misguided, if not plain wrong. The 'fire idea" is based on the belief that people don't want to get involved in assisting therefore you should trick them into believing there is a fire. This could be unwise. Numerous bystander studies (eg Latane and Darley) show the reason bystanders do not help is a simple one; confusion - bystanders are unsure of what is going on, do the attacker and victim know each other? etc.
This would suggest it is better to "tell it like it is" and yell "POLICE!" or "HELP!" This - especially "POLICE"- is more likely to scare the attacker and alert bystanders to the truth of the situation - not confuse them further by yelling "Fire" when there clearly isn't one. Studies have also suggested this effective strategy: pointing at an individual bystander and saying "you sir, in the white shirt, I need your help now ! - This man is attacking me..." Tell like it is, and point to an individual.
Take a basic self defense course, such as Rape Aggression Defense (RAD). Contact your local police office for programs such as RAD.
Be careful at parties and bars. Don't drink anything that somebody gives you--always open and order your own drinks. Never, ever leave a drink unattended for even a moment. Keep your hand over the top of your drink. Do not accept a drink from a date unless the bartender or waitstaff have delivered it straight to you. Don't want to be rude? Take it to the restroom with you and dump it.
Be careful at dance clubs or other places with loud music. Sometimes it is so loud that nobody will be able to hear you cry for help.
Be assertive. If somebody is giving you unwanted attention, tell them to back off. There is no need to be polite when somebody is making unwanted sexual advances.
If a rapist is in your car and is sitting in a passenger seat with a weapon to you, he will tell you to go somewhere where it is more convenient and he is less likely to be witnessed. Whatever you do, don't drive off. Drive into something that will cause your car to crash. The airbag will save you, and your potential attacker will most likely just want to get the heck out of there before any witnesses show up to see what's going on.
Vans are the #1 vehicles used in rapes. Rapists will park next to the driver's side and, as you are trying to get in, they will pull you into the van. If there is a van on the driver's side of your car, go in through the passenger's door. If there are vans on both sides, go back to where you were and get someone like a security guard to walk you to your car.
Be careful when going into your house or car because someone could easily push you in and lock the door behind you. Be aware of your surroundings; carry your keys ready in your hand and look around you before opening the door.
Keep personal information private. Don't advertise your info verbally or on the Internet. Also, be very wary of meeting up with people that you meet on the Internet. If you must do so, bring a friend.
When walking... walk with confidence. Look up as you walk and stand up straight; pretending as though you have two big panthers on either side of you as you walk may sound silly, but it can help boost confidence. Attackers are more likely to go for those who they think cannot defend themselves.
Notice and leave identifying marks. A large bite mark on his face, punctured eyeball, deeply scratched leg, ripped out piercing etc., is easily identifiable, as are memorable tattoos, etc. Go for weak spots like eyes (poke hard), nose (hard upward motion with the lower part of your open hand) genitals (grab really tightly and squeeze or punch hard) etc.
Rapists have been caught because their victims left identifiable teeth marks, nail marks, or DNA in the cars or rooms where they were assaulted.
IF YOU HAVE A DOG, BRING IT WITH YOU. If you have a dog with you, it's like having another person with you. Large dogs are intimidating to predators, even if your pet isn't exactly brave. If you don't have a large dog, bring the small one anyway. Chances are when your little pup sees you in trouble, he'll be more than happy to protest. Predators won't usually attack a woman with a dog large or small because dogs usually make such a racket you're bound to draw attention, which is a no-no for predators. Who knows, your weenie dog may just surprise your attacker when he takes some ankle.
Tips
Being the victim of child sexual abuse actually doubles the likelihood of adult sexual victimization because of increased levels of PTSD (Post Tramatic Stress Disorder). Ways to seek help to avoid this are listed below.
Intervention such as counseling for mental health issues (like PTSD) and for possible addictions related to the abuse can help women with child sexual abuse histories overcome some of the abuse-related sequel that make them vulnerable to adult re-victimization (Parillo et. al., 2003)
Other factors influencing recovery are emotional support from friends, relations, social and community supports.
Studies find that victims of multiple assaults have higher levels of PTSD than victims of only one assault. So if someone was assaulted twice in childhood and adolescence they would be at an increased risk of adult assault.
One study found that of the 433 sexually assaulted respondents, two-thirds reported more than one incident (Sorenson et. al., 1991)
Don't wear short or revealing clothes.
Remember that attackers usually want easy prey, so don't cooperate! If you are sexually assaulted, yell things which make it clear to everyone that the attackers actions are unwelcome.
Warnings
Beware of victim blame and rape myths
Always remember... The Only Person Responsible For An Assault Is The Perpetrator. If you have been assaulted, no matter what you do, or do not do, in any case IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.
Remember that attackers usually want easy prey, so don't cooperate! If you are sexually assaulted, yell things which make it clear to everyone in the area, that the attackers actions are unwelcome.
Additional Resources
While this WikiHow provides steps to reduce your own risk for sexual assault, preventing sexual assault is a much broader subject than the How-To-Manual format (or any manual) is designed for.
If you would like to help prevent sexual assault in your community, some of the many additional resources are listed below.
Article provided by
wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual.
--comments-->0--169--1