Rape Prevention

Rape is a violent crime, an invasion, a frightening experience. Rape affects all women, no matter what their age, race or economic status. All women are potential victims of sexual assault. By being aware, a woman can reduce the likelihood of becoming a rape victim. This does not mean all rapes can be prevented. Rapists commit rape -- NOT VICTIMS.

Psychological Preparedness

Accept the fact that you are a potential rape victim. Many women operate under the illusion "it will never happen to me." It may.
Educate yourself concerning rape prevention tactics.
Become familiar with community rape prevention and counseling.
Become aware of locations and situations where rape is more likely to occur and avoid them, or take precautions.

Rape is the fastest rising violent crime in America. What can you do to prevent this crime?

Safety at your residence.

When moving into a new home or apartment make sure the locks are replaced or rekeyed. It is recommended that a 1" deadbolt lock us used. It is also recommended that if there is no door viewer to have one put in. "DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR UNLESS YOU KNOW WHO IS THERE."
Keep doors locked at all times.
Never open the door after a knock. Require the person to give their name. In the case of service persons ask for proper I.D. and refuse entrance if you feel uneasy.
If you feel threatened yell or scream to attract attention.
Never admit you are alone.
If you are living alone use only you Last Name and First Initial on your mail box. You may also want to make a name up and put it on your mailbox to give the appearance of a roommate.
All entrances and garages should be well-lit.
Keep one light on inside the house at night.
Hang up on any obscene phone calls.

On the Street safety tips.

Do not walk alone.
Always stay in well lighted areas.
Do not take short cuts where you would be in a deserted area.
Walk near the curb and avoid passing close to shrubbery, dark doorways and other places of concealment.
Do not hitchhike.
If someone in a car ask for assistance do not get close to the car.
If a car approaches you and you feel threatened, scream and run in the direction opposite of the one the car is going.
If you feel you are being followed go to the nearest open business, police department, fire department, or any area where other people will be. Call the Police from there.
If you carry a purse, hold it close to your body.
Have your key ready to enter your residence or car.

Driving safety tips.

Never pick up hitchhikers.
Always keep your car doors locked.
When parking at night, select a place that will be well-lit when returning to the car.
Look in back seat and floor board before entering your car.
When approaching your car in a parking lot look all around the area for anything that does not look right. If you see anything that looks suspicious near your car keep going and call the Police as soon as possible. If you can get in your car safely, lock the doors and go somewhere and contact the Police about your suspicions.
Keep gas above 1/4 tank.
When ever possible travel on well lighted streets.
If you are ever being followed go to the nearest police department, fire department, or open business. If vehicle pulls in behind you and you do not know the individual blow the car horn to attract attention. DO NOT GET OUT OF CAR UNTIL YOU ARE SAFE.
If your car is being repaired leave only the car keys with the repair shop.
If you are having car problems and can not raise the hood, stay in the car and wait for help. If someone stops to help, roll down the window just enough to talk to them and ask them to call a relative, friend, garage or the police for you.

There are several ways to react to a sexual assault...

The best resistance you can use against an attacker is your common sense. Think! Don't panic. The most important element to remember is that you are not trying to fight the attacker, but are attempting to divert the person long enough to get away. Always look for a way to escape. If the attacker has a weapon, use your common sense.

Break away and run toward areas with people. Be observant so that you will be able to remember and identify the assailant.

1. Passive Resistance

The goal of passive resistance is to think and talk your way out of the situation. With passive resistance, you can:

Try to calm the attacker. Try to persuade him not to carry out the attack.
Claim to be sick or pregnant. Tell him you have a sexually transmitted disease. This may intimidate the attacker.
Try to discourage him. Pretend to faint, cry hysterically, act insane or mentally incapacitated.
If you're at your residence, tell the attacker a friend is coming over or that your spouse or roommate will be back soon.

2. Active Resistance

Active resistance is intended to distract or temporarily injure your attacker to create an opportunity for escape. Nobody can tell you whether or not active resistance will be the "right" thing to do. A decision to resist actively, however, is irreversible. Your goal is to escape, not to win. Here are some pros and cons regarding the most common types of active resistance:

YELLING - If the attacker is unarmed, you may be able to scare, distract or injure the person enough to make your escape.

A yell can surprise or frighten an attacker away if he fears people will come to help. But yelling won't help in isolated or noisy areas.

Scream "FIRE," "POLICE," or create a disturbance that will attract attention.

STRUGGLING and FIGHTING BACK

A forceful struggle may also discourage an attacker, but most will retaliate and have the potential to inflict serious injuries. However, you must not be afraid to hurt an attacker. All kicks and blows must be forceful and should be aimed at vulnerable areas such as the groin, eyes, or instep.

MARTIAL ARTS

Special self-defense skills such as judo or karate are popular. If you are proficient in such techniques, they can be very effective. But proficiency requires practice.

WEAPONS

Some people carry weapons such as guns, knives, or spray chemicals to ward off attackers. Unless you are trained and not afraid to use these weapons, they can be very dangerous. The attacker might be able to turn them against you. Also, some weapons cannot legally be carried, so check with local law enforcement authorities.

Submitting to an Attack

If you believe you might get hurt defending yourself or if you're afraid to fight back, don't. Sexual assault is still an assault and still a crime, even if you do not have a single cut or bruise. Victims who do not resist should never feel guilty; it is the assailant who committed the crime.
If attacked, escape
If trapped, stay alive
If assaulted, memorize details

If you are raped.

Call the Police Department Immediately.
Do not shower, douche, or change clothing.
Have a medical exam and internal gynecological exam as soon as possible. A delay in time may destroy evidence.
Semen smears must be taken by a clinician.
Inform clinician of exact acts committed upon you and have the clinician note any medical evidence of them.
Clinician should note any bruises or injuries bleeding, lacerations, etc.) external or internal.
Have clinician test for venereal diseases (and pregnancy later, if relevant).
Do not disturb the scene of the assault.
Inform police of all details of attack, however intimate, and of anything unusual you may have noted about the attacker.
Remember what the person said and how it was said. It may lead to the arrest of the assailant.
Show police any external bruises or injuries, however minor, resulting from the attack.
Police may request your clothes for purpose of evidence.
Inform the police if you remember anything that was not previously reported.

Information needed by the police to catch and convict a rapist.

Type of car used by the rapist (license, make or model and color)
Race
Age, weight and height
Hair color and length
Color of eyes
Clothing
Any unusual marks, scars, tattoos, rings, etc.
Any facial hair
Type of accent
Any strange or distinctive odor
Last direction of travel

Related Links

Office on Violence Against Women	http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/
Office for Victims of Crime	http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/
AMA Violence Prevention	http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/



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