Sexual Assault and Rape Prevention Tips: What Can a Woman Do?

One out of every three women has been abused during their lifetime

Worldwide, one out of every three women has been abused during their lifetime; most of the abusers are members of their own family.  Concerning rape, 77% are committed by somebody the victim knows and 6 of 10 rapes occur in the victims own home.

One of the reasons that so many rapes go unreported is partially due to the social stigma many rape victims seem to take on.  For far too many years rape was considered a sexually driven crime however it was reclassified as it was discovered that the act of rape has little to do with the act of sex and more to do with the act of control.

In the past, the victims of rape tended to be held accountable for their actions; society would ask what the victim did to cause the rape.  Her behaviors were evaluated during the criminal justice process and many women felt violated over and over again when trying to seek a conviction of the rapist.  Thankfully the laws changed to state that a victims past behaviors could not be discussed during the trial of a rapist. 

Preventing Rape and Sexual Assault

With the age of social networking, women are giving potential rapists a bounty of information that they never had access to before.  Even if a person doesn’t openly display their home address online, the information could be found within hidden passages; pictures can often give big clues as to where a person lives.

Posting blogs about one’s workplace also gives hints to lead the rapist to where a victim works and then following her home.  The Internet is an open buffet for a sexual predator offering an unlimited amount of information as well as potential victims.  The following are some tips as to how individuals can protect themselves against these predators.

• Limit the information on social networking sites

• Exclude any information that a person can pinpoint your location, such as the town you live in, where you work, the school you attend or attended, and any personal information that could be considered a clue to how a predator can find you. 

• Make your profile private

• Do not allow anybody you don’t personally know to view your profile.  Even if you are very careful about what you post, your personal friends might have information on their profiles that would lead a predator to where you are.  

Real Life Rape and Sexual Assault Prevention Tips

The greater percent of rapes are committed by men the victim knows; it is imperative that women be very aware of the things they say and do around people they may not know a lot about.  The following are some tips to help keep women safe in their own surroundings.

Pay attention to your instincts

Many rape victims will recall having a bad feeling concerning a man they have met; you should always pay attention to those instincts as they tend to be good warning signs. 

Unusual attention

Be aware of men who might be showing unusual attention to you; they may ask personal questions that seem odd or out of place.  If somebody you hardly know begins asking you personal questions, be very cautious about what information he has access to.

Routine

Try to change your normal routine by taking different routes home.  You can detour a predator by not following the same routine.  If he doesn’t know your next move he is less likely to victimize you.

• Use strong tones

• If a man is giving you more attention than you feel comfortable with, tell him to leave you alone.  Do not ask him or beg him; use strong vocal tones that others can also hear.

• Never leave a drink unattended

• Many rapists will use alcohol to lower your resistance.  They will also add drugs to your drink so it is very important to never leave your drink unattended.  Never accept a drink that is handed to you by somebody other than the bartender or close personal friend.  A bottle of beer should not be opened until it is in front of your eyes.  It only takes one second to drop something in your drink.

• Have a safe ride home

• If you are attending a party and you will be drinking, make sure you have arrangements for a safe ride home before you reach the party.  Bring cab fare with you as well as the phone number for the cab company. 

•  Don’t be unprepared while in the park or jogging

• If you regularly walk or jog in a secluded park or wooded area, change your routine daily by taking different paths every day.  Carry pepper spray or take self defense classes that will help you if you find yourself in a bad situation.  If you notice a strange man in the area where you walk or jog, leave that area immediately.  Know what you would do in a rape situation and practice it well.

• Living alone

• If you live alone make sure the doors have good deadbolt locks and the windows have functioning locks.  If your home has a sliding glass door, place a metal or wooden pole between the door jam and the movable door.  Meet your neighbors and be aware of who belongs in the neighborhood and who doesn’t.

Read More: Keeping Kids Safe From Sexual Predators - And Criminal Activity - On The Internet

The biggest mistake women make is thinking that rape could never happen to them, but statistically the odds are quite great that it can and does happen.  Considering that rape is more about control than sex, women need to show their strengths and not their weaknesses.  Walking with your head up and speaking in strong tones can detour a rapist from attacking you if he thinks you will put up a strong fight.  Don’t ever be complacent; rapists look for people who become too confident and comfortable.  

It is said that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure; women have to be aware of the possibilities as well as being prepared for them.  One can never be too prepared for such an event.  It is also very important that should you become a victim of rape that you call the police immediately without bathing or changing your clothes.  Don’t be ashamed of what has happened to you; it is not your fault; you are a victim.  Rape is a devastating event that will affect the rest of your life and you should seek help in dealing with the affects; what you have been through can save others.