Risk Reduction

Reflections

What do I need to know about my world?

At home

On campus

Outside

In your car

In social situations

Watch out for someone who....

Ways to respond to an attack

 

Reflections

It is scary to even think about being raped. Sometimes it is easier to pretend that I live in a world where rape doesn't happen, or, at least, that I live in a special bubble that will somehow protect me from bad things like rape. At other times I feel that I need to be smart and know how to protect myself, so I read lists of cautious things to do in various situations. As the list goes on and on, however, and includes situations I've never even thought of, I find myself wanting to lock myself in my home and never, ever, come out again! So I vacillate between not thinking about it and hoping I will be safe and feeling so overwhelmed with the dangers out there that I could easily become paralyzed. Add to that the idea that no matter how cautious or how well prepared I am, it will not guarantee that I will not be raped! Every rapist is different. Every situation is different. What worked for one person may not work for the next person! So why even bother?!... Because I do want to be smart. Because I do want to do the best job I can taking care of myself. Because I am worth it. Because I do not want to make it easy for those creeps to succeed.

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What do I Need to Know About My World?

Every woman is a potential victim. Your age, race and economic status make no difference. All women and children are equally vulnerable. Men are not immune either.

• Rapes occur at all times of the day, and in all seasons.
• Rapes can occur anywhere.
• Rapists come from every economic and ethnic background. There is no "typical" rapist. They can be of any age from a teenager on up. Rapists are not always strangers. Seventy percent of all reported rapes are committed by someone the victim knows.

Okay. Given that I am a potential victim who could be raped by anyone, anywhere, anytime, what are some of the things I can do to minimize my risk? And I do understand that even if I know and do everything suggested, I might still be a victim of a rape, and it will not be my fault

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	Make friends in your building or neighborhood. Exchange phone numbers. Get to know each other's schedules. You might set up a signaling device with your neighbors. These prearranged signals can let the neighbors know that you need help, especially if you have not been able to get to a phone and call the police.
	Make sure there are strong locks on your doors and windows. Use deadbolt locks on all outside entrances. Use window key locks. For double-hung windows, you can also drill holes through both sashes and insert nails, pins or bolts. Place a brace in a sliding glass door so it cannot slide open. Never hide keys outside your home.
	Leave lights on when you are out. A timer can be used that will turn lights on and off.
	Make sure outside entrances stay well lit at night.
	Have your keys out and ready when you return home. Avoid door locks which are complicated to open. The longer you are outside your door, the greater your risk. If someone drives you home, make sure they wait until you are safely inside.
	Make sure there is nowhere an assailant could hide near the entrance to your home or apartment. Shrubbery should not be tall enough or dense enough for someone to hide behind.
	Do not put your first name on your mailbox or in the telephone book.
	Do not enter your home if it looks like it has been broken into. Leave and call the police from a nearby phone.
	Install a peephole and use it! Do not open the door to strangers. Always ask a repairman or a deliveryman  for identification before opening the door. If someone wants to use your phone, offer to make the call for them rather than letting them into your house. If a deliveryman has a package for a neighbor who is not at home, ask him to leave it outside. Wait at least 30 minutes to make sure he has left before you open the door. Don't release apartment lobby doors for people you don't know.
	Do not reveal that you are home alone to someone on the phone or to someone at the door.
	Don't get into an empty elevator with a stranger. Stand near the control panel. If you feel threatened hit the next floor's button and get off. You might also hit the alarm button. Make sure the elevator has not been summoned to the roof or the basement before getting on.
	If you are attacked, yell "FIRE!" This will get more response than screams or yells for help.
	Do not put your name or address on your keys. If you leave a key with a parking attendant, only leave the ignition key. Do not loan your keys to anyone. If you lose your keys, change the locks at home.
	Do not trust anyone because he or she looks nice. Do not worry about appearing rude in your efforts to be cautious.

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On Campus

	Don't prop open the door to your room or to the dorm. It may be a hassle, but the security is worth it. Don't fall asleep with the door unlocked.
	Lock your door and windows, even if you leave for a few minutes.
	Watch those isolated spots - laundromat, library stacks, stairways, labs, locker rooms, especially late at night. Go with a friend or call campus escort service (474-2415). They do not consider your request to be an imposition. Besides, your safety is worth it!

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Outside

	Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-lit, well-traveled areas.
	Know where you are going and don't look lost. Get clear directions ahead of time and have the phone number of your destination. Tell a friend when you will be leaving and when you expect to arrive.
	Walk briskly and confidently and be alert to your surroundings.
	Dress for movement and don't weigh yourself down with a large purse or lots of packages. It may be important for you to be able to move fast.
	Walk close to the curb, except when a car pulls up.
	If you are walking and you get the feeling that you are being followed, turn around and look. If anyone looks suspicious, cross the street and walk in the opposite direction. Go to the nearest open store, classroom, etc.
	If you are walking and being followed by a car, turn around and walk in the opposite direction. Go to the nearest open store, classroom, etc.
	If you ride a bus, wait at busy, well-lit stops. Sit near the driver. Notice who gets off with you. Stay on the bus and ask the driver for help if you feel alarmed.

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 In Your Car

	Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank.
	Always lock your car doors when you leave it and when you get back into it. Assailants have been known to jump into cars at stoplights.
	Check the back seat before you enter the car.
	Have your keys ready as you approach the car so you do not have to stand outside the car and rummage through your purse or backpack. Remember where you are parked so you can go straight to your car. Be especially alert in parking garages regardless of the time of day.
	As you approach your car from a distance, look around and under it.
	Try to park in well-lighted, well-populated areas.
	Do not hitchhike and do not pick up a hitchhiker.
	If you are being followed by another car, do not pull into your driveway. Drive straight to the nearest police station or fire station. Honk your horn. Do not leave your car until you are sure it is safe.
	If you have car trouble and have to pull over, keep your doors locked and your windows rolled up. If someone stops and offers to help you, ask him to call the police or a garage. Do not open your door. If no one is nearby, jump out and raise the hood. Quickly get back into the car. It is good to carry a "call police" sign. Car phones provide additional safety.

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In Social Situations

	If you are dating someone new, try to learn something about him before you go out with him. His words or attitudes may reveal hostility toward women. Do not give out personal information too soon.
	If you don't know your date well, drive yourself, go with another couple or arrange for your own transportation. You may want to meet each other at a public place or a party where there are lots of other people. Double-dating for first dates in an excellent idea. Don't let your date make all the decisions about where you go, and don't rely on him for transportation.
	As a general rule, avoid secluded places on dates: beaches, parks, homes, apartments, especially if you do not know your date well.
	Avoid the overuse of alcohol and/or drug use . They can cloud your judgment and slow your responses. Be aware of your date's use of them, too.
	Don't leave your drink alone or drink something you did not get or open. Date rape drugs are easily dropped into an unprotected drink. They have no taste or color so they are very hard to detect. These drugs can cause intense drunkenness, difficulty moving, and memory loss. Lots of them work by taking away your will to resist.
	Make your sexual limits clear before you get in to a sexual situation. If you are pressured, be very firm in your refusal. Tell him that "no" means "no." If he persists, tell him "This is rape!" This may startle him enough to give you time to convince him that you are serious about not wanting to have sex with him. This is a time when trying to be nice and polite will work against you. You may lose this guy's interest in you, but do you really want to date someone who does not respect your wishes to the point of raping you?

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Watch Out For Someone Who....

• Often puts down men or women with comments such as, "Women are so stupid..."
• Uses alcohol or other drugs excessively
• Enjoys pornography
• Wants to be in control of where you go, what you do, etc
• Is given to angry, aggressive outbursts or extreme jealousy
• Uses physical force in any way
• Drives recklessly, especially with you in the car
• Ignores your feelings and what you say
• Pretends not to hear you
• Talks about you as if you're not here
• Teases unmercifully and doesn't know when to quit
• Acts friendlier and nicer with others around
• Does what he/she wants regardless of your wishes
• Is hostile if you don't agree or go along
• Believes in winning at any cost to anyone

 

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Ways To Respond To An Attack?

REMEMBER: Every emergency situation is different. Only you can decide which course of action is appropriate. Never feel guilty about what you did - or did not - do. Rape is never a woman's fault.

SIZE UP THE SITUATION. Is help nearby? What state of mind is the attacker in? Does the person have a weapon? Is the attacker only interested in money or valuables? (If so, give them up. Your life is more valuable.) Be realistic about your ability to protect yourself. Keep in mind that your goal is to escape safely. Cooperate if you think that resisting could lead to further harm or endanger your life. ACT QUICKLY IF YOU DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING. An immediate reaction may give you a chance to escape. Run. Scream. Hit. Bite. Scratch. If you resist, aim for the throat, eyes, nose, groin or knees. If an attacker is lying on top of you and your hands are free, you can grab his ears and twist his head sharply to one side or the other. His body has to follow. Passive resistance might include vomiting, urinating or defecating. Telling your attacker that you are diseased or menstruating may make a difference. Whistles and compact police sirens (carried in your purse) may scare off an attacker. Mace or pepper spray may drive away an attacker, but they can also be turned against you. Some women carry cans of spray paint so that an attacker can be found easily. He's the one with blue paint on his face and clothes.

Consider enrolling in Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.), a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women.

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