One in three women in America alone experience sexual assault in their lifetime. While these attacks are not the fault of the victim, you can take some precautionary measures to keep yourself safe.
Steps
- Bring a friend if you are going to a party or other event in a strange place. If you can't bring someone you know, give a friend your phone number and expected time you'll be home, and tell him or her that you'll check in.
- Keep an eye on your drink. Date rapists can lace drinks with flavorless chemicals. Don't go back to a drink if you've left it unattended, and don't accept an open drink from a stranger (unless you saw it made at the bar or similar).
- Walk with a friend if possible, especially if you're walking at night or in a remote location. If you're going on a jog, bring a companion.
- Stay alert by avoiding headphones (which impair your ability to hear ambient sounds), or hats that block your peripheral vision.
- Stick to populated, well-lit areas if you need to walk alone. Avoid poorly lit areas, or areas with minimal escape routes.
- Carry pepper spray or a similar item for emergency self-defense.
- Learn basic self-defense moves. There are often specific classes offered for this.
- Move with confidence. Someone who looks purposeful and physically capable is a less appealing target.
- Confront a pursuer. If you know that someone is following you, turn and ask them the time. Get a good look at their face and overall appearance. Attackers prefer to target victims who haven't seen their face.
- Struggle and yell if attacked.
Tips
- Carry a cell phone. If you feel uncomfortable walking alone, either call a friend or family member or pretend to call them. Walk purposefully and speak in a clear voice, saying something like "Could you unlock the door for me? I'll be home in 3 minutes, it's just one more block" or say which street intersection you are at. Potential attackers may be discouraged by knowing that someone is awaiting your arrival, is close by, and would come to check on you if you did not appear within the next few minutes.
- The phone is also helpful for dialing emergency numbers in case you are attacked.
- If you want to and the rapist is not armed and he forces oral sex on you, bite HARD
Warnings
- None of these tips can positively prevent an attack.
