Rape is one of the most talked-about, but least understood, violent crime. All segments of society and all ages can be victimized. I am not an expert in the psychology of rapists, but I would like to pass along suggestions that may help you avoid being victimized.
Like most criminals, a rapist always seeks a victim in a situation or environment offering the least amount of personal risk. Rapes most often occur in secluded areas and during darkness, but many rapes occur in the victim’s home during daylight. A rapist may be a stranger or a friend.
At one time, I believed a woman should always remain calm and avoid struggling with her assailant in order to lessen the likelihood of violence and injury. But as I studied rape further, I began to realize that some rapists become more violent when the victim doesn’t fight back, while other rapists became more violent when they encounter resistance.
A common thread is that rapists attempt to humiliate the victim while eliciting a desired response; it is this “desired response”, however, that is unpredictable among rapists.
This unpredictability leads me to believe the best way for a woman to avoid being injured or killed is to do everything possible to avoid being targeted in the first place. I know this sounds simplistic, and perhaps it is, but prevention is the best hope to avoid rape. Here are some common-sense precautions:
• Avoid situations in which a potential rapist would sense a low amount of personal risk during an attack.
• Avoid the appearance of vulnerability.
• Don’t walk alone, especially at night.
• Avoid dark, secluded areas.
• Ensure that your home is equipped with security devices, including deadbolts, window locks, security alarm sensors and security lighting.
• Don’t leave keys where they could fall into a rapist’s hands. Take special care not to forget (or hide) your house key outside the house.
• Always keep your doors and windows locked. Don’t allow children to answer the door – do it yourself. Make certain that you know who is outside before opening the door.
• Install shades, blinds or heavy curtains on all windows, and keep them closed after dark. Rapists often talk their victims for days or weeks. Often, stalking a victim is as simple as peering through unobstructed windows.
• Don’t allow your telephone number and name to be listed in such a manner as to cause a rapist to suspect you are a single female. Never give a caller reason to believe you are home alone. Never give your name and address to a stranger during a phone call, no matter how innocent or reasonable.
• Never enter a building, a vehicle, an elevator or even your home if you sense that something is wrong – don’t be afraid or embarrassed to trust your instincts.
• Ensure your car is properly maintained and full of gasoline prior to traveling. If the car breaks down, open your hood and turn on your emergency flashers. Then, get inside the car, lock the doors and wait for professional help – don’t accept a ride from a stranger.
If these precautions fail and you find yourself in a rape situation, try not to panic. Use your head; make as much noise as possible without inviting injury from the attacker. Set off any alarm device you can get your hands on. If you are close to a telephone, pull the receiver off the hood and dial 911.
Fight back and run, if you seen an opportunity, but don’t take too many chances if the rapist has a weapon. If you are on an elevator, push the alarm button on the control panel, and push all of the individual floor buttons you can. If you are in a vehicle, push the emergency flasher switch, and hit the horn as many times as you can.
If you are raped, call the police as soon as possible. Don’t bathe or change clothing. Try not to touch anything the rapist may have touched. Do everything you can to preserve available evidence.
Common sense is your best protection.
