HOW TO AVOID RAPE: AN ARTICLE TO READ AND PASS ON TO EVERY WOMAN YOU KNOW.
Someone is sexually assaulted in the U.S. every 2.5 minutes, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). And close to one in six women is raped at some point in her life, according to the U.S Justice Department. Knowing how to avoid becoming a victim, along with what to do if you are faced with the situation, is sadly, something every woman needs to know.
If a woman feels threatened, only she can decide what is the best course of action to take in that moment, but research has identified certain strategies that seem to work better than others.
How to avoid becoming a victim:
Anyone can become a victim of sexual assault or rape, but girls in their teens are particuarly at risk - with the age of 14 marking the peak risk age, according to the FBI. Experts advise always staying in well-lit areas and being aware of your surroundings to discourage potential attackers. Further:
* Don't leave your beverage unattended at a bar or at a party.
* Don't accept a drink from an open container.
* Watch out for your friends if you're at a party, and be sure to arrive and leave in a group.
* Don't go to an isolated area with someone you don't know or trust.
* When walking outside, walk facing the traffic so a car cannot approach you unnoticed from behind.
* Don't take shortcuts you're not familiar with or that are routed through dim, unpopulated areas.
* If a motorist stops to ask you a question, keep walking and stay on the sidewalk. Don't approach the car.
* Avoid areas that are filled with bushes, trees or shadows. Stay out in the open, in well-lit, busy areas.
While Driving:
* Keep your car doors locked and your windows rolled up when after dark.
* When you approach your car in a parking lot, keep your keys in your hand, check to be sure no one is hiding inside the car, then lock the doors as soon as you get in.
* Don't pick up hitchhikers or stranded motorists.
* If you're in a traffic accident, don't get out of your car or open the window to talk to the other motorist. Stay inside and wait for the police to arrive.
* Some rapists have impersonated police officers pulling over vehicles. If you are pulled over by an unmarked car at night while you're alone, only pull over in a well-lit area where other people are present. A real police offficer will understand your concern.
At work:
* Avoid stairwells and rarely used hallways.
* Don't get into an elevator alone with anyone who seems suspicious. trust your instincts on this.
* When on an elevator, stand near the control panel so you can push the alarm button in an emergency.
* When waiting for an elevator, stand away from the door so you can't be pulled on.
* Call someone at home to let him or her know when you're leaving work at night, and when to expect you home.
* If after dark, ask a security guard or colleague to walk you to your car/public transportation.
On public transportation:
* Always stay alert; don't sleep or drift off on the bus or subway ( tube train).
* Take a seat close to the driver.
*If someone seems suspicious, move away from the person to a seat closer to the driver or to another car.
*Choose subway cars that are full of people.
* Arrange for someone to meet you at your destination to walk or drive you home.
Crimes of this nature can also take place at a residence, and, among women victims of rape and sexual assault, 70 % of the crimes were committed by intimates, relatives, friends or acquaintances, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
No matter how cautious you are, a rape or sexual assault can still happen. Again, a woman who is faced with this crisis is the only one who can decide what is the best action to take, but the following strategies may be effective.
If you are attacked, yell, scream, hit and kick, and otherwise do anything you can to get away. Doing so may startle the attacker and may cause him to loosen his grip so you can run away.
"There's strong evidence that fighting, screaming and trying to flee are effective," says Sarah Ullman, Ph.D, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Fight back if the attacker doesn't let go. In 2003, the Justice Department reported that weapons were present in rapes and sexual assaults only 11 % of the time. If the attacker does have a weapon, you will have to decide what is the best approach to save your life. Pleading with the attacker may not be the best choice, however.
"Research shows that pleading and reasoning lead to an even higher probability of rape," says Ullman. Many rapists thrive on feeling powerful, and a victim's pleading can feed this need.
What you can do is scream for help, yell "NO" and, if you can get away, run to a well-lit, populated area.
[ Article reproduced by kind permission of http://www.sixwise.com/ Security & Wellness e-newsletters.]
Also...
*Learning self-defence from a qualified instructor, approved by the police, is a great idea. it will give you confidence, but beware of being over confident - and remember, the goal of self-defence is not to beat up your attacker, but to disengage yourself from a dangerous situation and make good your escape.
*Buying a personal alarm is an invaluable and very wise investment and is to be recommended to all women.
These devices when utilised emit a very loud, piercing noise that can both frighten off and disorientate an attacker - and also alert residents/passers-by that you are in distress and need help.
Only buy an alarm that has a 'lock on' facility. (When locked on, even if knocked, dropped or thrown to the ground, it will continue to sound.)
Numerous types of personal alarm are available. This website contains some very useful information on the topic, and will help you decide which is the best one to buy:
http://www.suzylamplugh.org/alarms-and-devices/
* Listen to your intuition. If you feel uneasy about a person, place or situation, don't hesitate, get away quickly.
* If you are threatened or assaulted, try to get a good look at the man and try to memorize as much about his appearance as you can i.e. the style and colour of his hair, facial features, height and build, the clothes he was wearng, and if he had any scars or tattoos, or if he was wearing any distinctive jewellery. This will help the police identify and catch the culprit and stop him doing it to anyone else.
* It is generally accepted that shouting "Fire!" is more likely to bring someone running to your aid than shouting "Rape!".
Someone is sexually assaulted in the U.S. every 2.5 minutes, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). And close to one in six women is raped at some point in her life, according to the U.S Justice Department. Knowing how to avoid becoming a victim, along with what to do if you are faced with the situation, is sadly, something every woman needs to know.
If a woman feels threatened, only she can decide what is the best course of action to take in that moment, but research has identified certain strategies that seem to work better than others.
How to avoid becoming a victim:
Anyone can become a victim of sexual assault or rape, but girls in their teens are particuarly at risk - with the age of 14 marking the peak risk age, according to the FBI. Experts advise always staying in well-lit areas and being aware of your surroundings to discourage potential attackers. Further:
* Don't leave your beverage unattended at a bar or at a party.
* Don't accept a drink from an open container.
* Watch out for your friends if you're at a party, and be sure to arrive and leave in a group.
* Don't go to an isolated area with someone you don't know or trust.
* When walking outside, walk facing the traffic so a car cannot approach you unnoticed from behind.
* Don't take shortcuts you're not familiar with or that are routed through dim, unpopulated areas.
* If a motorist stops to ask you a question, keep walking and stay on the sidewalk. Don't approach the car.
* Avoid areas that are filled with bushes, trees or shadows. Stay out in the open, in well-lit, busy areas.
While Driving:
* Keep your car doors locked and your windows rolled up when after dark.
* When you approach your car in a parking lot, keep your keys in your hand, check to be sure no one is hiding inside the car, then lock the doors as soon as you get in.
* Don't pick up hitchhikers or stranded motorists.
* If you're in a traffic accident, don't get out of your car or open the window to talk to the other motorist. Stay inside and wait for the police to arrive.
* Some rapists have impersonated police officers pulling over vehicles. If you are pulled over by an unmarked car at night while you're alone, only pull over in a well-lit area where other people are present. A real police offficer will understand your concern.
At work:
* Avoid stairwells and rarely used hallways.
* Don't get into an elevator alone with anyone who seems suspicious. trust your instincts on this.
* When on an elevator, stand near the control panel so you can push the alarm button in an emergency.
* When waiting for an elevator, stand away from the door so you can't be pulled on.
* Call someone at home to let him or her know when you're leaving work at night, and when to expect you home.
* If after dark, ask a security guard or colleague to walk you to your car/public transportation.
On public transportation:
* Always stay alert; don't sleep or drift off on the bus or subway ( tube train).
* Take a seat close to the driver.
*If someone seems suspicious, move away from the person to a seat closer to the driver or to another car.
*Choose subway cars that are full of people.
* Arrange for someone to meet you at your destination to walk or drive you home.
Crimes of this nature can also take place at a residence, and, among women victims of rape and sexual assault, 70 % of the crimes were committed by intimates, relatives, friends or acquaintances, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
No matter how cautious you are, a rape or sexual assault can still happen. Again, a woman who is faced with this crisis is the only one who can decide what is the best action to take, but the following strategies may be effective.
If you are attacked, yell, scream, hit and kick, and otherwise do anything you can to get away. Doing so may startle the attacker and may cause him to loosen his grip so you can run away.
"There's strong evidence that fighting, screaming and trying to flee are effective," says Sarah Ullman, Ph.D, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Fight back if the attacker doesn't let go. In 2003, the Justice Department reported that weapons were present in rapes and sexual assaults only 11 % of the time. If the attacker does have a weapon, you will have to decide what is the best approach to save your life. Pleading with the attacker may not be the best choice, however.
"Research shows that pleading and reasoning lead to an even higher probability of rape," says Ullman. Many rapists thrive on feeling powerful, and a victim's pleading can feed this need.
What you can do is scream for help, yell "NO" and, if you can get away, run to a well-lit, populated area.
[ Article reproduced by kind permission of http://www.sixwise.com/ Security & Wellness e-newsletters.]
Also...
*Learning self-defence from a qualified instructor, approved by the police, is a great idea. it will give you confidence, but beware of being over confident - and remember, the goal of self-defence is not to beat up your attacker, but to disengage yourself from a dangerous situation and make good your escape.
*Buying a personal alarm is an invaluable and very wise investment and is to be recommended to all women.
These devices when utilised emit a very loud, piercing noise that can both frighten off and disorientate an attacker - and also alert residents/passers-by that you are in distress and need help.
Only buy an alarm that has a 'lock on' facility. (When locked on, even if knocked, dropped or thrown to the ground, it will continue to sound.)
Numerous types of personal alarm are available. This website contains some very useful information on the topic, and will help you decide which is the best one to buy:
http://www.suzylamplugh.org/alarms-and-devices/
* Listen to your intuition. If you feel uneasy about a person, place or situation, don't hesitate, get away quickly.
* If you are threatened or assaulted, try to get a good look at the man and try to memorize as much about his appearance as you can i.e. the style and colour of his hair, facial features, height and build, the clothes he was wearng, and if he had any scars or tattoos, or if he was wearing any distinctive jewellery. This will help the police identify and catch the culprit and stop him doing it to anyone else.
* It is generally accepted that shouting "Fire!" is more likely to bring someone running to your aid than shouting "Rape!".
posted by HOLY LANCE @ 12:00 AM
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