Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault or rape is all about power, control and anger. The rapist attempts to control and degrade using sex as a weapon. It is an act of violence rather than sex.
Rapists can be anyone neighbors, a delivery person, a classmate, a coworker. They may be
ugly or attractive, fat or skinny, dress sloppily or wear three-piece designer suits. Anyone.
Rape victims can also be anyone. They may be teachers, students, wives, mothers, grandmothers, children, classmates or coworkers, female or male. They can be anyone even YOU!
What should you do if someone attempts to rape you? There are no right or wrong answers to that question. How you should react depends on your physical and emotional state, the situation and the rapist's personality. The goal is survival. Listed below are some possible actions to take according to the National Crime Prevention Council.
Rapists can be anyone neighbors, a delivery person, a classmate, a coworker. They may be
ugly or attractive, fat or skinny, dress sloppily or wear three-piece designer suits. Anyone.
Rape victims can also be anyone. They may be teachers, students, wives, mothers, grandmothers, children, classmates or coworkers, female or male. They can be anyone even YOU!
- Just like any other time you are out on the streets, be alert. Walk with confidence and purpose. Avoid "tunnel vision!" Be aware of your surroundings know who's out there and what's going on. Don't walk right into a potentially dangerous situation.
- If a person, situation or place makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, trust your instincts and avoid it or them. Go to an open business or other place where there are people or take a different route that you are more comfortable with.
- Don't walk or jog alone, particularly at night. Stay in familiar, well-traveled and well-lighted areas.
- Be careful of anyone in a car who asks you for directions. Maintain your distance from the car.
- Have your key ready before you reach the door home, car or office.
- Park only in areas that will be well-lighted and well-traveled when you return to your car. Be especially careful in parking garages which provide plenty of areas of concealment for an attacker.
- Always lock your car when you get in and when you get out. Look in and around your car before you get in.
- If your car breaks down, lift the hood, lock the doors and turn on your flashers.
- Consider carrying a cellular phone so you can call for help. If someone stops to offer assistance, roll the window down only slightly and ask them to call police or a tow service.
- NEVER hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker!
- When indoors, never open your door to strangers. Keep the door locked and offer to make an emergency call while they wait outside. Check the identification of any sales or service people before letting them into your house.
- At home, make sure that all doors and windows have sturdy locks and that you use them. Doors should have wide-angle peepholes installed and entryways should be well-lighted.
- Get to know your neighbors so you will have someone close by that you can call when you are scared.
- Be cautious in areas that are isolated such as apartment laundry rooms, underground garages and parking lots.
- If you come home and see a door or window open or broken, don't go inside. Call the police from a cellular phone, pay phone or neighbor's home.
What should you do if someone attempts to rape you? There are no right or wrong answers to that question. How you should react depends on your physical and emotional state, the situation and the rapist's personality. The goal is survival. Listed below are some possible actions to take according to the National Crime Prevention Council.
- Try to escape. Scream. Be rude. Make noise to discourage your attacker from following.
- Talk, stall for time, and assess your options.
- If the rapist has a weapon, you may have no choice but to submit. Do whatever it takes to survive.
- If you decide to fight back, you must be quick, determined, and effective. Target the eyes or groin.