How To Protect Yourself
Avoiding Dangerous Situations While you can never completely protect yourself from sexual assault, there are some things you can do to help reduce your risk of being assaulted:
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Try to avoid isolated areas.
- Walk with purpose.
- Trust your instincts.
- Try not to load yourself down with packages or bags as this can make you appear more vulnerable.
- Make sure your cell phone is with you.
- Don't allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don’t trust or someone you don’t know.
- Avoid putting music headphones in both ears so that you can be more aware of your surroundings.
Safe Drinking Next time you're out, protect yourself:
- Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe in any situation, go with your gut.
- Don't leave your drink unattended.
- Don't accept drinks from people you don't know or trust.
- Watch out for your friends, and vice versa.
- If you suspect you or a friend has been drugged, call 911.
- Trust your instincts.
- Be true to yourself.
- Have a code word with your friends
- Lie.
- Think of an escape route
If you see someone in danger of being assaulted:
- Step in and offer assistance. If it means putting yourself in danger, call 911 instead.
- Don’t leave.
- If you know the perpetrator, tell him or her that you do not approve of what s/he is doing. Ask him or her to leave the potential victim alone.
- When you go to a party, go with a group of friends. Arrive together and leave together.
- Have a buddy system.
- If you see someone who is intoxicated, offer to call him or her a cab.
- Listen. Be there. Don’t be judgmental.
- Be patient. Remember, it will take your friend some time to deal with the crime.
- Help to empower your friend or family member.
- Encourage your friend to report the rape to law enforcement.
- If your friend is willing to seek medical attention or report the assault, offer to accompany them wherever they need to go.
Self Defense Programs
