Rape (cont.)
How can I protect myself from being sexually assaulted?
There are things you can do to reduce your chances of being sexually
assaulted. Follow these tips from the National Crime Prevention Council.
- Be aware of your surroundings—who's out there and what's going on.
- Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear.
- Don't let drugs or alcohol cloud your judgment.
- Be assertive—don't let anyone violate
your space.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your
surroundings, leave.
- Don't prop open self-locking doors.
- Lock your door and your windows, even if you leave for just a few minutes.
- Watch your keys. Don't lend them. Don't leave them. Don't lose them. And don't put your name and address on
the key ring.
- Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who's on the other side of
the door before you open it.
- Be wary of isolated spots, like underground
garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms.
- Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in
well-traveled, well-lit areas.
- Have your key ready to use before you reach the
door—home, car, or work.
- Park in well-lit areas and lock the car, even if
you'll only be gone a few minutes.
- Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors
and windows locked.
- Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker.
- Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank.
- In case of car trouble, call for help on your cellular phone. If you don't have a phone, put the hood up, lock the
doors, and put a banner in the rear mirror that says, "Help. Call police."
